Trading spaces: Local businesses on the move

A boom in commercial construction characterized 2005 as many businesses relocated to new buildings or added to their own.

Southeast Missouri Hospital completed construction of its new 75,000-square-foot Southeast Medical Plaza in 2005. The first occupants moved in in mid-February. Southeast president and CEO James W. Wente said more will move into the building through early spring as physicians relocate their practices to the new facilities.

The building on Broadway in Cape Girardeau also will house ancillary services, including outpatient MRI, radiology and a retail pharmacy. The Medical Plaza lobby will be dedicated to the late Charles L. Hutson, a contributor and board of trustees member. The project also included a 306-car parking garage. Additionally, the hospital's Clinical Services Building, a surgery expansion, was completed and was put into service early this month.

With the completion of the Saint Francis Health and Wellness Center in 2004, area practices continue to relocate to the state-of-the-art facility at 150 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

The Cape Neurological Association moved into the center in August 2004. "We just ran out of room at the old place," said office manager Rose Marberry.

The new location allows for easier directions, said Marberry, adding that some patients wound up in Gordonville while searching for the old location at 3129 Blattner Drive.

Regional Primary Care moved to into the center in December 2004. Though the new location has less space, it has a better layout for patient flow and privacy, said office manager Tonya Darrow. Located in the Saint Francis Health and Wellness Center, the facility can handle any new equipment that the old location would have needed to be retrofitted for, Darrow said. The family practice was located at 69 Doctors' Park for nine years.

The Cape Care for Women relocated to the center in June. Southeast Missouri ENT Consultants moved its practice in October from Doctors' Park to the fourth floor of the center.

Throughout Cape Girardeau and Jackson, community businesses moved to their own buildings.

Jackson Primary Care moved its family practice to 2685 East Main St., Suite A, in Jackson in February. The move increased the facility's size and parking, said owner Dr. Seanna Siemer. It now has an X-ray machine, a full-time nurse practitioner and a nearby pharmacy. The practice was located at 1166 Greenway Drive for four years.

The Jackson Senior Center moved in July to 2690 Travelers Way in Jackson. The extra space in the new building allows for up to 170 guests to dine inside and about 100 meals to be delivered, said administrative assistant Jean Mason. Services have expanded to include flu shot clinics, income tax assistance and e-mail instruction. The center was at 351 E. Washington St. Construction was funded by the Senior Center Foundation and through various fund-raising events, Mason said.

In November, Saxony Village completed six new duplexes at 2825 Bloomfield Road in Cape Girardeau. About 175 residents live at the retirement facility, which now has 50 duplexes and 87 apartments, said manager Scott Sprandel. Since 1994, approximately three buildings were built each year, he said.

First State Community Bank moved into its new location at 2527 William St. in Cape Girardeau in September. The new two-story building provides extra space for meetings, loan closings, parking and expansion, said Retta Miller. The bank was originally at 1602 N. Kingshighway.

First Midwest Bank opened its doors at 2319 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson last May. "We certainly want to become a long-time player in Jackson," said president John N. Thompson. The branch of the Dexter-based bank operated from a double-wide trailer at the same location for 18 months. Construction on the new building took about a year. With the new building's extra space, customer service will be enhanced, Thompson said.

Capaha Bank broke ground for its new branch in September. With the present branch is at 3168 William St., the new location at 380 N. Kingshighway will expand the bank's services to the eastern side of town, said president John Abercrombie. Two managers will be hired to assist customers in commercial banking and mortgage lending.

Bening Mazda opened its doors at 460 Siemers Drive in Cape Girardeau on Jan. 16, 2006. The car-buying experience provides Internet access to blue book quotes and a small cafe. The building sports a color scheme including lime green, black, blue, orange and silver. "It's the newest, hippest thing out there," said co-owner and general manager Mike Schumer. The business was originally at 2611 Auto Park Drive for two years; construction began in June.

Crown Nissan began construction on its new building on Siemers Drive in September and plans to move in April. The current location at 607 S. Kingshighway houses two different franchises, Crown Nissan and Cadillac, said floor manager Joe Lage. The move will dedicate separate locations to each franchise, which will provide for better customer service through a better-educated service department and a state-of-the-art facility, Lage said.

Other commercial construction projects:

* Carpet Connection moved to 766 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau in July 2004. Owner John Fodge leased the location at 330 S. Kingshighway for 11 years before he constructed the new building.

* The new Holiday Inn Express opened in June at Interstate 55 and William St. in Cape Girardeau.

* The new Panera Bread Bakery/Cafe opened in December at 3219 William St. in Cape Girardeau in front of the Holiday Inn Express.

* Two years of hard negotiations culminated with the opening in October of the new Sears Grand, a new 149,000-square-foot retailer, just the sixth of its kind in the country. It is at 330 Siemers Drive in Cape Girardeau.

* Kohl's new retail store opened in April at 325 Shirley Drive in Cape Girardeau, employing 185 workers.

* Ashley Furniture Homestore opened in March at 4700 E. Jackson Blvd., in Jackson.

* The new Sonic Drive-in of North Pointe on Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau opened in October.

* Construction was completed on the new Shogun Japanese Steak and Sushi bar at 289 S. Broadview St. in Cape Girardeau.

jmetelski@semissourian.com