UNIVERSITY SEEKS WORK SPEED-UP ON NEW MADRID

Southeast Missouri State University wants to realign the New Madrid and Henderson intersection before the school's new business building opens next August.

In an effort to move the project forward, the university would pay the cost of the work.

The city would then have a year to reimburse the university for the city's share.

Cape Girardeau's Planning and Zoning Commission backed the idea Wednesday night. The City Council will be asked to approve the plan Monday night.

The design of the intersection is still being worked out.

The intersection work is part of the city's plan to reconstruct New Madrid Street from Perry Avenue east to the Show Me Center.

The street reconstruction project would cost an estimated $713,700. An estimated 40 percent of it or more than $285,000 would be spent on the intersection improvements.

The New Madrid reconstruction project, including the intersection work, ranks 19 of 20 road and bridge projects to be funded with a new transportation sales tax.

Voters approved the tax in August with the idea the projects would be done in the order they were ranked.

Commissioner Charles Haubold said some in the public might criticize the decision to move up the project.

"We better cover ourselves well or we will get two black eyes and a bloody nose," Haubold said.

But Haubold and the other commissioners said it makes sense to move ahead with the project.

City and university officials have talked of improving the intersection for years.

Currently, New Madrid, Henderson and Greek Drive come together at that point. "In essence, you have five streets coming together," said Al Stoverink, the school's facilities management director.

"Our goal is to have a safe intersection that has a good flow of traffic," Stoverink said.

The new business building is under construction near the intersection. When it opens next August, it will increase traffic in that area.

Action

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.

City Hall, 401 Independence

Hearings

Request of the estate of Frieda C. Meyer and Union Electric for a special use permit for a public utility facility at 1701 Independence.

Request of Judith Ann Crow for a historic zoning classification for her home at 323 Themis.

Request of Jeffery and Julie Briney for a historic zoning designation for their house at 25 N. Fountain.

Applications

Request for a special use permit for a public utility facility at 1701 Independence.

Approved request of Judith Ann Crow for a historic zoning designation for her home.

Approved request of Jeffery and Julie Briney for a historic zoning designation of their house.

Subdivision plat reviews

Conditionally approved record plat of Rust Avenue Commercial Subdivision No. 1.

Approved record plat of Northfield Seventeenth Subdivision.

Conditionally approved record plat of Randol Farms Estates Second.

Staff communications

Approved Henderson-New Madrid intersection project.