P&Z: If Water Street goes one way, Main Street must be changed

Nearly a year after the issue was first discussed, the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission finally took action Wednesday night on the issue of making Water Street one way.

It was only a tentative step, however, as other issues, such as what to do with Main Street, must still be decided.

During the meeting several downtown property owners raised concerns with the council, the most pressing that the project was being done "piecemeal," in the words of several commissioners and residents.

They said a plan to make Water Street one way must also be accompanied by making Main Street a two-way street or running one way northbound to prevent traffic bottlenecks.

Commissioners voted 9-1 to recommend the city council make Water Street run one way, southbound, from Broadway to Independence Street and to put a 60-day deadline on consensus for making Main Street either two way or one way northbound from William Street to Broadway.

A subcommittee made up of three members from the Planning and Zoning Commission and three people from a list submitted by Old Town Cape, selected by Planning and Zoning chairman Skip Smallwood, will be charged with making that consensus and developing a long-term plan for traffic in the area from Pacific Street to the Mississippi River and from William Street to Broadway.

"This is a start," said Smallwood. "We're trying to move some things forward and take them to the council. It's time to look at this plan, address this plan and put the issue to bed."

The one vote against the recommendation came from commissioner Scott Rhodes.

The plan to change Water Street to a one-way street would be accompanied with the construction of a sidewalk with red paving stones and a rail with interpretive signs for the floodwall murals.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182