Visions of Cape

Imagine a city with riverside art festivals, where the clanging bells of trolley cars can be heard in the streets and people dining at the Lorimier Restaurant have a magnificent view of the Mississippi River.

Such visions filled the minds of people at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee, as graduating Leadership Cape groups presented projects to improve the city.

From helping disadvantaged youth to revitalizing the downtown area with a floating amphitheater, trolley cars and a renovated historic building, the projects offered innovative concepts to attract visitors and better the lives of residents.

"It's not too far-fetched to think these ideas may become reality," said Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson. "They all did a nice job. These projects reach new heights every year."

Leadership Cape is a seven-month program, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, that exposes future leaders to the opportunities and challenges of the community.

As part of the program, participants must research and develop an initiative project to improve the community.

Here's a look at this year's projects:

Scoutreach

A program called Scoutreach seeks to improve the lives of the city's underprivileged boys by encouraging participation in Boy Scouts of America.

An awareness campaign conducted by the group developed focus groups with the intent to increase participation in Boy Scouts among minority and low-income families.

"We wanted to do something that was meaningful -- something that would touch the lives of young people without needing a vote to raise taxes," said group member Stacy Huff, who is field director for the local Boy Scouts.

The campaign targeted an area on the south side of Cape Girardeau with the city's highest concentration of minority and low-income children.

The project also brought to light individuals from the target community who could provide leadership in scouting programs.

Amphitheater

The Eastern Access Amphitheater Project brings to the riverfront area a floating, covered amphitheater for performances, weddings, family reunions and festivals.

Group members say the project was inspired by the ongoing efforts to restore the city's downtown.

"It's excellent timing to continue the development of the riverfront," said group member Tim Arbeiter, assistant director of operations for the University Center at Southeast Missouri State University.

The theater would be located on a 90-foot floating barge that would remain mobile so that other cities along the river could rent it.

The concrete steps at Riverfront Park would remain as amphitheater seating, but additions would be made and patio-style tables and benches would also be added. The proposal includes increased lighting and a rescue station.

Courthouse Square

A project called Renaissance Courthouse Square calls for the renovation of the Common Pleas Courthouse on Lorimier Street, turning the historic landmark into a one-stop shopping, restaurant, cultural and meeting center.

"Culture and good food go together naturally," said group member Peder Leth, who is also owner of FSI Heartland, which changes air filters for commercial businesses. "These are exciting times for the community, and Renaissance Square could be the frosting on the cake."

The first floor of the courthouse would house men's and women's specialty clothing stores and a book store with a coffee bar.

The basement level of the building, which once held prisoners during the Civil War, would be used as the Dungeon Museum, complete with tours and a gift shop.

What currently serves as the courthouse's library annex would become a cultural theater, which group members say would be well received in the university community.

The courthouse's upper level would hold two restaurants -- The Lorimier for continental dining and the bistro-inspired Tapas Cafe.

The actual grounds of the building would be used for an annual art festival and a farmers market.

Leth said he has spoken to courthouse building officials about the possibility of moving the current offices and facilities.

Borrow-a-bike

A three-phase plan utilizes organizations such as Old Town Cape to reintroduce two historical forms of transportation to the downtown area.

The first part of the plan is the borrow-a-bike program, which would provide free bike access and bike racks in various locations throughout the downtown area.

In conjunction, the second phase provides for the construction of a bike trail within an abandoned railroad right-of-way from Highway 74 to city hall on Independence.

The trail would take cyclists past such notable sites as the Glenn House, Old St. Vincent's Church and the Cape River Heritage Museum.

The third phase instates a trolley car system to usher people around downtown Cape Girardeau.

"The downtown area has a history of people using bicycles and trolleys as a method of transportation," said group member Dr. Loretta Prater, a professor at Southeast Missouri State University. "We're very excited about this."

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128