Sidewalks a growing part of Cape's TTF projects

When Cape Girardeau embarked on the first five-year road plan financed by a half-cent sales tax in 1995, sidewalks weren't a big item in the $22.9 million program.

That's changed with each new five-year program, as the money dedicated to sidewalk repair and construction has increased from $397,544, or 1.6 percent of the first plan's total spending, to $1.3 million, or 6.1 percent of the money expected if voters approve a tax extension in 2010.

Along with increased emphasis on repairing existing sidewalks and installing new sidewalks along main streets, the city in 2006 adopted a tougher policy to make sure developers install sidewalks in new subdivisions.

"It is really a community amenity," said Harry Rediger, chairman of the city Planning and Zoning Commission's transportation subcommittee. "It is a safety issue, with more pedestrians, more walkers and more runners. Looking at other cities, it just was an enhancement that needed to happen within our city."

In some instances, such as the current work along Independence Street from Main to Sprigg streets, the major emphasis is on rehabilitating sidewalks. After Fronabarger Concreters finishes replacing the sidewalks, the street project will be finished with an overlay of asphalt.

In other cases, sidewalks are a major addition to street rebuilding. When Big Bend Road is rebuilt from Main Street to Cape Rock Drive, the $3 million project includes sidewalks, including a section along Bertling Street. Combined with an anticipated $1.6 million federal earmark for a bridge over Sloan Creek on the Riverfront Trail, bicyclists and pedestrians will be able to go from downtown to the Cape LaCroix Trail.

"It has been kind of the big plan all along to get a loop around the city," said Ken Eftink, director of planning services. "The goal has been to try and include pedestrian access all along TTF projects."

When the city council adopted new sidewalk rules for subdivisions in 2006, it was trying to solve two issues -- sidewalks were only required within a mile of a school and in those locations, owners of new houses could not get an occupancy permit unless the sidewalk was completed in front of their home. Now developers must install sidewalks in all new developments or provide the city proof that money is set aside for sidewalks along undeveloped lots.

At the time the ordinance was passed, homebuilders complained it would hurt their business. Mike Annis of Annis Construction, past president of the Cape Girardeau County Homebuilders Association, said the requirement can add as much as $2,500 to the cost of a home on a corner lot.

"That's just plumb cool if you can afford it," Annis said. "They told me it was a quality-of-life issue."

Still, Annis admits, the subdivision ordinance had little to do with the slow pace of construction in Cape Girardeau over the past two years. "The economy destroyed us. It didn't have a whole lot to do with sidewalks."

The sidewalk ordinance is part of a bigger picture that includes tax-funded road projects, Eftink said. In the past, subdivisions often were developed without pedestrians or through road traffic as part of the plan.

"Our goal is to get the neighborhoods connected with other neighborhoods," he said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO