VISION 2020 SOLICITS VIEWS FROM CHAMBER

Vision 2020 is continuing to seek input for creating a new strategic plan for the future in Cape Girardeau.

Vision 2020, an outgrowth of Vision 2000, a community improvement group established in 1987, conducted a brainstorming session at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee Friday.

The sessions have been conducted before a number of civic clubs and organizations, Kathy Swan of the group and Walter Denton, assistant city manager, said Friday. They said the sessions will continue through June before another meeting of the Vision 2020 Strategy Committee in July.

Chamber members were enthusiastic in their brainstorming session Friday, and a number of new ideas were presented and will be studied during the strategy meeting. The members worked in groups of five to eight people, compiling some wide-ranging suggestions such as a children's museum, biking and hiking trail, downtown revitalization, parenting, more medical choices and an art center.

Also listed were variations of ideas that emerged from Vision 2020's initial meeting in January: tourism, transportation, quality of life, economic development, community involvement and education.

Vision 2020 was established by the Cape Girardeau City Council by ordinance to officially replace Vision 2000, said Denton. The council allocated $2,500 in seed money for Vision 2020 for the current fiscal year, and in January the new group started its quest for new ideas.

"The Vision 2020 Strategic Planning Committee will seek input to create the new strategic plan to ensure that the future of our community is planned and developed, based on the hopes and dreams of the people of Cape Girardeau," said Swan, a Vision 2000 and Vision 2020 member.

Other topics and suggestions which have emerged from brainstorming sessions include accessible public transportation for anyone who needs it, smooth traffic flow, adequate parking and well-maintained streets, easier accessibility in and out of Cape Girardeau and pursuit of a Metropolitan Statistical Area regional designation.

MSA designation will be the topic of a future First Friday Coffee, said chamber President and CEO John Mehner.

Mehner, a member of the economic development planning group, said the MSA designation would be a big advantage to business recruitment and would make the area eligible for more funding.

Prior to the Vision 2020 meeting, chamber members were reminded of the millennium New Year's Eve celebration to be held at the Show Me Center Dec. 31. In another action at the meeting, Wal-Mart Supercenter presented a $2,500 check to the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association.