TASK FORCE VISITS ST. VINCENT'S SEMINARY

About half the 20 members of the Colonial Cape Girardeau Task Force spent Monday afternoon at St. Vincent's Seminary on an information-gathering tour that Chairman John Schneider characterized as "feeling out what's going on here."

The task force, holding only its second meeting, is charged with finding the money to buy the seminary for sale for four years now and the long-term funding needed to maintain it as a museum and Civil War interpretive center.

The asking price is $1.135 million. The first phase of the foundation's plan would cost another $1.8 million, and would consist primarily of bringing the main floor of the 150-year-old building up to current code requirements.

The overall proposal, which Schneider says may or may not be achievable, would cost about $11 million and would include construction of an amphitheater, a riverfront museum and replica Civil War gunboat, an excursion train and a U.S. Grant presidential library.

Realtor Thomas L. Meyer, who represents the owner, the Provincial Administration of Vincentian Fathers, led the members of the task force through the building. Some had not been inside before. Also along were Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink and David Murphy, executive director of the foundation.

Three other organizations, based outside the state, reportedly are also interested in the building. But Meyer told the task force, "I want this group to have it 100 percent."

He added, "I will do all in my power to assist you in acquiring the facility."

During the tour, some members of the task force were skeptical about the relatively low cost Meyer cited for removing asbestos from the building. He said a study completed two years ago by a certified asbestos remover put the figure at about $5,000.

Barbara Rust, president of the Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation, suspects there is much more asbestos in the building than $5,000 would remove.

"I personally would like an independent lab report," she said. Schneider scheduled the next meeting for 5 p.m. Monday at City Hall, when the entire proposal will be mapped out for members of the task force.

Schneider said he was impressed with the condition of the building and optimistic that it can be transformed into a museum.

"I think it's a project that's going to get done," Schneider said.