Parking study for downtown Cape authorized by council

The main issues discussed by the Cape Girardeau City Council at its Tuesday night meeting focused on future improvements in the community.

The council unanimously granted initial approval for an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for a parking study in downtown. The area has long been plagued with parking issues, with the 2012 remodeling of Broadway renewing interest in finding solutions to the problem.

Old Town Cape, the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and the city applied -- and were awarded -- a traffic engineering assistance program grant administered through the Missouri Department of Transportation that will pay 80 percent of the costs for the study. Funds from the grant total $8,000. The Industrial Development Authority of Cape Girardeau County and the downtown Special Business District are offering a combined $7,000 for costs.

Mayor Harry Rediger expressed appreciation for the financial assistance the city received for the study. He also pointed out a need for more parking in downtown was a good thing "because there's a lot more going on on Broadway." Councilman Mark Lanzotti pointed out it wasn't just Broadway experiencing growth, but all of downtown, all the way over to the River Campus.

The study will specifically look at parking issues within the boundaries of the Downtown Community Improvement District, which encompasses the eastern portion of Broadway, as well as Water, Main and Spanish streets and sections of adjoining streets. The area will be broken down into three sub-districts -- lower Broadway, upper Broadway and the Riverfront District -- because each has a different concentration of businesses, restaurants and residential areas that create different parking needs.

When the city applied for the grant to help pay for the study, it said vacancy rates in downtown were "still too high and must be addressed." It also said lack of coordinated public parking facilities was a key reason given by larger-scale developers for not investing in downtown.

Councilwoman Loretta Schneider said she consistently hears complaints about parking when she visits downtown and was happy to support a move that would help address the vacancy issue.

Before voting took place, the council heard an update on community gardens. It is one of many projects funded by city revenue generated by Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. Parks and recreation director Julia Thompson said the city is working with the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center and the Healthy Communities Coalition -- a group of individuals from public and private organizations working together to address local nutrition and lifestyle issues -- on the endeavor. Longtime community gardens advocate and volunteer Robert Harris also is involved.

A new demonstration garden at Shawnee Park Center will include eight raised beds and primarily grow edible plants. With the help of volunteers, planting should begin in April. Thompson said those interested in becoming involved in the community gardening project may contact the city's parks and recreation department or the county health center.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.