RIVER CAMPUS PANEL SET FOR NEXT PHASE

The River Campus Board of Managers is ready to move on with its tasks and continue the work it set out to do nearly a year ago, members say.

In an annual update, members of the board made a presentation to the Cape Girardeau City Council Monday night.

The River Campus Board of Managers is an advisory board of six members who oversee the operation of the River Campus, a joint effort of the city and Southeast Missouri State University. Three representatives of the board are appointed by the city and three appointed by the university's Board of Regents.

Four members attended the council meeting.

Dr. Pauline Fox, vice president for administration at Southeast Missouri State University, presented the report to the council.

The board divided its work into three phases and is ready to begin the second phase, she said. The board has already spent a year getting input about how to proceed on the operation of a regional museum.

Work will now center around the development of the scenic overlook areas, green space and a tourist center for visitors.

The third phase includes the operation of the campus.

"We've heard from various individuals and we've heard that they want a first-rate campus" that is built within its budget, Fox said.

She added that many people want the campus to preserve the historic site.

The River Campus is a former Catholic seminary that will house a performing arts center, theaters and museum space.

People also want a site with adequate parking, a tourist center and an overlook of the Mississippi River, she added.

"They see a good opportunity for exhibits and to revitalize the downtown," Fox said.

The River Campus board is patterned after the Show Me Center Board of Managers, another joint board appointed by the city and university.