PRESERVATION PANEL JOINS COMMUNITY PRIDE COALITION

Cape Girardeau's Historic Preservation Commission will sign on with the Community Pride Coalition.

Commission members voted Wednesday night to join the coalition, a group of several neighborhood organizations working to improve the quality of life in Cape Girardeau.

The coalition's goals include crime reduction, beautification, increased tourism and economic development, historic preservation and neighborhood development.

"These are all good things that are good for the community," said commission member Barb Port.

Chairman Brian Driscoll and John Schneider pointed out that the group's historic preservation goal falls right in line with the commission's charge.

Driscoll also pointed out that beautification and tourism goals are also part of the preservation commission's charge.

The Community Pride Coalition will meet Oct. 20 at the Show Me Center to discuss Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus project, considered by supporters a potential catalyst for revitalizing the city's downtown and south side neighborhoods.

Members of the coalition adopt specific plans of action to help achieve the five outlined goals.

Driscoll said the historic preservation commission will work out its action plan at its Nov. 1 commission retreat.

The retreat should will give members a chance to review goals and objectives and to measure progress made on those goals.