Another landmark

Those attending this week's groundbreaking for the new federal courthouse on Independence Street in Cape Girardeau found much to admire in the artist's rendering and scale model of the building.

The current courthouse on Broadway opened in 1968 and reflects that area's utilitarian idea of modern design. Unfortunately, the Broadway building's appearance isn't the only problem with it. It wasn't designed for today's security needs, causing the marshals to cram an X-ray machine and metal detector into a tight lobby.

The existing building sits only a few feet off the street, a security concern after domestic terrorists blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City by parking a van full of explosives out front.

In addition, the needs of the federal court system have increased with the times, meaning more people are having to operate in the same amount of space. The federal public defender's office is in a former bank building across the street. The U.S. attorney's office opened in 1991 in the bank building next door.

The new federal courthouse will be located at the corner of Independence and Frederick streets west of the Cape Girardeau City Hall. In addition to its three courtrooms, the courthouse will house the 97 employees of the federal court and related government agencies.

There will be three stories of brick and gleaming glass. An atrium will bring light flooding into the lobby. It's truly a showplace.

Some critics have balked at its $49.3 million price tag. However, the time to debate the proper use of taxpayer dollars has passed. Cape Girardeau is going to enjoy a functional and beautiful courthouse thanks to elected officials who argued for it.

These officials were present at the groundbreaking on Monday. U.S. Sen. Kit Bond gave the keynote address, promising that the new courthouse will represent a strong foundation for justice.

He said: "Though it will be beautiful, it is merely steel, bricks and mortar. What makes it so much more is its place in giving the people access to that third and equally important branch of government."

Other dignitaries who attended were U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr., Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. of the Missouri Supreme Court, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, Mayor Jay Knudtson and master of ceremonies Brad Scott, the regional administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration, the agency in charge of building and maintaining federal buildings.

Now that the pomp and circumstance are over, it's time to enjoy watching the building take shape. Contractor PCL Construction of Denver will start moving onto the site next month and begin site work in January. The GSA expects the building to be finished in January 2006.

Of course, it would be remiss to mention the courthouse and not some other exciting downtown developments. The Marquette Hotel renovation is continuing. The university's River Campus for visual and performing arts is currently under construction. And the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge has a scheduled completion date that's about a month away.