Red Star area second Cape neighborhood to be added to improvement initiative

The Neighborhood Development Initiative in Cape Girardeau will continue with its second round of pilot neighborhood meetings Jan. 13.

The first meeting of the year will be in the Red Star neighborhood, which stretches from Second Street to East Cape Rock Drive and spans east to west from Rand Street to Big Bend Road.

The Red Star area is the second pilot neighborhood involved in the initiative, a program designed to help improve neighborhoods throughout the city. The first neighborhood is in south Cape Girardeau, where several neighborhood meetings were held late last year.

The initiative is meant to help promote self-governance among community members and to give them an outlet to tell city officials about any problems they may be experiencing or concerns they may have about the neighborhood.

"We're continuing those interactions with our community," Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger said in speaking about the Neighborhood Development Initiative during the year's first First Friday Coffee on Friday. "The purpose of the NDI is for [people] to take more control of their own neighborhood, whether it be reporting crime, reporting trash or potholes."

The city councilman for Ward 1, Joe Uzoaru, will help to lead the upcoming meeting, along with Development Services staff members. Uzoaru will give his perspective on the city's role in helping to strengthen area neighborhoods, and the Development Services staff will speak about the steps the community needs to take to help make the initiative a success throughout the area.

Uzoaru could not be reached for comment.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the Red Star Baptist Church Activity Center at 1316 N. Main St., and all members of the community are welcome to attend.

Pertinent address:

1316 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.