STATE `WALL OF FAME' TO GRACE CITY FLOODWALL

A "Missouri Wall of Fame" mural will be painted on the west side of the Cape Girardeau floodwall, across from Hutson's Furniture.

Officials of the Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau announced plans for the mural Thursday.

This will be the seventh mural to be erected by the River Heritage Mural Association. Tim Blattner, who heads up the association, was out of town Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

Mary Stucker of the Convention and Visitors Bureau said she suggested the idea of creating a mural on the city side of the floodwall. There's already a mural on the river side of the floodwall between the Themis and Broadway floodgates.

Stucker said the new mural will feature the Missouri flag, recognizing the fact that it was created in Cape Girardeau.

The six-color mural will be 500 feet long and encompass 25 panels featuring 25 to 30 famous Missourians. The exact design and who will be depicted on the mural has yet to be determined. But she said, "We are hoping that the flag is at least on two panels."

The floodwall mural will extend from Merriwether Street to Independence.

The mural association is seeking suggestions from area residents as to who should be featured on the mural. Harry Truman, Walt Disney and Mark Twain are likely choices, said Stucker.

She said the mural association wants area residents to submit their top five choices. To be considered, the famous person had to have been born or lived primarily in Missouri; become famous or did their most important work in the state; received regional, national or international recognition; received recognition in their chosen field; and made a significant contribution to society.

Entries should be mailed to the Missouri Wall of Fame, Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 617, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0617.

Deadline for submission is May 9.

Stucker, who is on the selection committee, said it's hoped the design can be chosen by June 15.

"We feel that the outdoor mural is going to be unique and bring tourists into our area," said the convention bureau's Kim Groves.

In addition to the mural, there will be some beautification work done, such as planting rose bushes, she said.

She said it's hoped that this project could lead to future murals on other sections of the concrete floodwall.