REBUILDING A CITY: CAIRO PROGRAMS ATTEMPT TO HALT 80 YEARS OF DECLINE

CAIRO, Ill. -- A steadily dwindling population and stalled economy have spurred Cairo city officials to create programs they hope will jump-start the housing market and new business sector.

The population in this small Southern Illinois community, situated at the confluence of Mississippi and Ohio rivers, plummeted from 4,846 in 1990 to just 3,600 today. Half the city's residents live in poverty, and at 9.2 percent, Cairo has the highest unemployment rate in the state.

"We're coping with some serious economic problems," said James Wilson, who is in his third term as mayor.

Wilson and City Councilman Cordell McGoy, both longtime Cairo residents, are well aware of their city's problems. The city has dwindled from its population peak of 15,203 in 1920 to today's low.

Officials hope the two latest revitalization programs will halt the population exodus.

Over the past two years the city has purchased 11 vacant buildings in the largely empty downtown Cairo area with a goal to make the buildings usable and available at subsidized rates to new businesses.

During the same two-year period, following a suggestion of McGoy, vacant lots were offered for $1 each to residents to build one-family residences. The home-building program has already produced 20 new homes.

Old street, new look

One of the main streets in downtown Cairo, 8th Street, has taken on a revitalized look in recent years.

"The street has been re-bricked, we've added period lighting and lampposts and an ornamental clock at the 8th Street and Commercial intersection," said Wilson. "We've almost completed a renovation project at the old Gem Theatre on 8th Street, but we do have some empty commercial buildings along both sides of the street."

The city has purchased most of them and will start rehabilitation immediately, hoping to entice new businesses to the once busy street.

"Once we get the buildings rehabbed, we'll offer them to new businesses for $1 a year," said Wilson.

The city's plan received a big boost last week, when officials received a $100,000 grant from the USDA Rural Development group. Doug Wilson, new state director of rural development, presented the city with the grant to repair roofs and replace plumbing and electrical systems in the 11 buildings.

"In addition to improving the image of the downtown area, this project will provide employment for people during renovation and upon completion of the project," added Wilson. "We're also hopeful this will inspire the riverboats and tourists to return to the city."

One new business already has selected an 8th Street location. Mike and Pat Brey were in their building Friday to determine when they could open a new gift and doll shop.

"We were looking forward to having a new business in the downtown area, and this is our opportunity to do it," said Mike Brey, a retired Cairo firefighter.

The American dream

Meanwhile, other people are moving into new homes in Cairo, thanks to McGoy's suggestion of $1 lots.

"What we're doing is taking some of the city's vacant lots, which have been on the delinquent tax rolls, and selling them," said McGoy. "We wanted to give people an incentive to build and live here. Many of the residents live in public housing or depend on federal housing subsidies. This program is about preserving the future of Cairo, and helping people get a piece of their own American dream."

McGoy, who recently retired form the Illinois Department of Corrections, lives in the area where he first promoted the pilot housing project.

"No government group was involved in this project," said McGoy. "We're doing this with private money, helping people get started. Over the past two years, more than 20 new homes and a million dollars' worth of new property have been added to the city's tax rolls."

The city wants to make more space available for others wanting new homes and has been involved in an active demolition process that has cleared more than 200 dilapidated structures from various areas around town.

People building in Cairo must purchase two lots, said McGoy, as city regulations forbid building a home on one lot. Some people purchased as many as four lots for their new home.

In addition to the lots, the city is offering free sewer hookups, which would normally cost the homeowner $800.

Wilson said he hopes these two programs halt the population decline and increase tourism.