OLD TOWN CAPE: MAIN STRET PROJECT SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Old Town Cape Inc. is moving into a new phase.

Old Town Cape, the name selected for a local Main Street program that covers a wide area of downtown Cape Girardeau, has applied for membership in the National Main Street Network and the Missouri Main Street program. The group has applied for not-for-profit designation.

Two surveys of the area involved have been conducted.

"Now we're seeking volunteers for the organization," said Judith Ann Lang, who chairs an eight-member steering committee that was put in place earlier this year to create the program.

"We'd like to have a wide-based community representation on the committees," said Lang.

The Main Street approach to revitalization is based on four points: design, organization, promotion and economic restructuring. Committees are needed for each, she said.

The program for Cape Girardeau encompasses an area from Water Street in the downtown area, along Broadway to Pacific Street and to Morgan Oak, which leads to the Mississippi River bridge.

The "square" includes the primary downtown business area, the Haarig area, upper Broadway and old St. Vincent's Seminary, the proposed river campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

"We need a lot of volunteers," said Lang. "And there is no membership fee for joining the group."

Lang hopes many volunteers will step forward soon.

"We're trying to arrange a meeting with Randy Gray, state coordinator of the Missouri Main Street Program, in mid-July," said Lang. "We'd like to have a large group by then."

Criteria for a Main Street Program include public and private input and support for the district revitalization process; an active Main Street board of directors; and various committees.

Boundaries for the district were established prior to application to the state but can be changed later. The state's program is coordinated by the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

A current steering committee is not the Main Street board of directors, said Lang.

"This group was named to determine proceedings leading to development of a Main Street Program for Cape Girardeau. This is not a permanent committee," said Lang. "This is a core group to determine where we need to go from here and what we have to do to get on with a Main Street Program."

The steering committee is looking at funding and sources of funding. "We're also looking at establishing a Main Street board," she said.

Anyone interested in volunteering may call Lang at 339-1766, Gregory Williams at 334-4142, or any other member of the steering committee.

The eight-member steering group includes Judith Lang, downtown merchant; Michael Miller, Cape Girardeau city manager; John Mehner, president of the Chamber of Commerce; Scott Shivelbine, businessman from upper Broadway; Gregory L. Williams, director of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association; Ted Coalter, businessman and president of the Haarig Area Development Corp.; Steve Hoffman, Southeast Missouri State University historic preservation; and Daniel North, Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

It is estimated the initial budget for the Cape Girardeau program would be about $80,000 in cash and in-kind pledges. The in-kind pledges could include space for a Main Street office.

The budget would include office expenses and a salary for a Main Street director, one of the requirements for a program.

Cape Girardeau funds would be shared between four entities: the area involved, the city, Chamber of Commerce and the university.

Main Street programs are more successful than ever. In more than 1,400 communities across the United States, downtown and area revitalization is booming.

The Main Street National Trust, headquartered in Washington, D.C., reports that for every dollar a Main Street community spends to support a revitalization program, on average it will generate $35.43 in new investment it an area.

The average amount of reinvestment per community is over $5 million. Nationally, more than 60,900 building rehabilitations have been completed, making way for over 47,000 new businesses and 174,000 new jobs.

The Main Street Program was created in 1977 with three communities. Since then more than $8.2 billion has been reinvested in Main Street and neighborhood commercial districts.

Eleven communities have Main Street programs in Missouri.

REVITALIZATION COMMITTEES

The Main Street Approach to Revitalization is based on four points -- design, organization, promotion and economic restructuring. Committee volunteers for Old Town Cape, Inc. revitalization are needed. To volunteer, contact Judith Lant at 339-1766 or Gregory Williams at 334-4142.

ORGANIZATION

Committee will work with various Old Town Cape Inc. groups and individualswho have a stake in the economic viability of the area. This includes city officials, merchants, property owners, civic groups, historical societies, local media and others.

DESIGN

Committee will be involved in improving the Old Town Cape image by suggesting means of enhancing the area's physical appearance including streetlights, window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks and other elements that convey a visual message about Old Town Cape and what it has to offer.

PROMOTION

Committee will help market the area's characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, tourist and others, through promotions designed to create positive images through retail promotional activity, special events and other programs.

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING

Committee will work to help strengthen the existing economic base while helping to diversify it. The group will help existing businesses expand, recruit new businesses to provide a balanced mix, and suggest ways of converting unused space into productive property.