Ordinance would provide grants for new Cape sidewalks

The Cape Girardeau City Council will decide on an ordinance for a project from 2008 that would build new sidewalks to give children safe paths to and from school.

The Safe Routes to School program, created by the Federal Highway Administration in 2005, is designed to enable and encourage children to walk or bicycle to school safely from traffic by building and expanding sidewalks.

In Missouri, grants for the program are awarded through the Department of Transportation. City engineer Casey Brunke said the city applied for a grant in 2008 and was turned down. In 2010, the city was notified there was "additional funding" left in the program and the city's grant would be funded.

Because the grant is awarded by MoDOT, the city must give its approval before any agreements can be made or work can be done. Brunke said that can make the process take longer, but preliminary work should begin soon, weather permitting.

At Monday's council meeting, council will vote whether to award the contract to Lappe Cement Finishing. After the contract is awarded, Brunke said work could begin within the next month or two.

"So around March or April, we could see some dirt moved and get these projects going," she said.

Among the areas that would have sidewalks built or expanded is Clark Street near the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

"Lots of kids walk through there," said Brunke.

Before the council begins voting on ordinances in regular session, it will discuss a number of items at study session, including Tangible Results of city services. The Tangible Results are divided into 12 categories. and each is discussed at council in turn at the first meeting of each month.

Cape Girardeau city manager Scott Meyer will discuss the "Environment Conducive to Economic Development." He said he will report on the state of the city's sales tax and how it's growing, plus the number of new building permits and business licenses to "try to get an idea of the economic vitality of the city and how it's growing."

With the addition of businesses such as Academy Sports + Outdoors and CVS Pharmacy and the expansion of businesses established in the community, Meyer said it's been a good year for the city.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.