ROAD PROJECT NEEDS PROPERTY OWNER NOD

Long-awaited improvements to Perryville Road, one the projects that will be financed with Cape Girardeau's new transportation sales tax, won't happen without help from property owners along the road.

Mayor Al Spradling III said the project won't be done unless property owners donate the right of way or the city can levy special assessments on abutting property owners.

It's unclear if the city can tax bill projects outside city limits. "My inkling is that we can't do it," said Eric Cunningham, interim city attorney.

Spradling said it would be unfair to make city property owners along Perryville pay for road improvements while letting their neighbors outside the city limits off the hook.

On the other hand, the city isn't willing to pay the entire cost of the project. "We can't give somebody that type of benefit," the mayor said.

The reconstruction work is one of 20 major road and bridge projects the City Council has promised to do as part of a five-year capital improvement plan.

A large share of the funding for the projects will come from a half-cent transportation sales tax voters approved Aug. 8.

The city wants to improve two sections of Perryville Road.

The first section extends about 4,800 feet from near Meyer Drive north to the city limits at the Hanover Lutheran Church. Widening and reconstruction would cost an estimated $1.25 million.

The second section runs some 3,000 feet from the city limits north to Route W and Cypress Drive, and the municipal golf course. The estimated cost of that section is about $900,000.

The golf course adjoins land that is in the city limits.

Another option would be for the city to annex the property. Spradling said the city hopes to annex the Perryville Road area within the next few years.

If that occurs, the city would have the authority, with the support of a majority of affected property owners, to levy special assessments.

Nine different property owners have land that borders Perryville Road from the city limits north to Cypress Drive, said Ken Eftink, development services coordinator.

The golf course borders about 800 feet of the roadway, but any tax bills would be calculated on the basis of the entire 3,000-foot length.

No front footage costs have been calculated for that project. The city has estimated affected property owners would pay a little more than $25 a front foot for the first section of Perryville Road improvements to the current city limits.

Eftink said property owners won't be paying the entire cost of improvements along the two sections of Perryville Road. The city will be paying much of the cost.

PERRYVILLE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Plans call for reconstructing two sections of Perryville Road as part of the five-year transportation tax program.

The first phase involves reconstruction of Perryville Road a distance of 4,800 feet from near Meyer Drive to the city limits at Hanover Lutheran Church. Cost: $1.25 million.

Second phase involves reconstruction of about 3,000 feet of Perryville Road from the city limits north to Route W and Cypress Drive, and the municipal golf course.

Cost: $900,000