Build a park downtown -- they'll come

By Eli Fishman

As in many small towns, residential and commercial development in Cape Girardeau has been concentrated in the section of town near the interstate highway. National chain restaurants and multinational retailers, in their unquenchable thirst for new markets, are pursuing the people of Cape Girardeau. These large service corporations realize that Cape Girardeau's citizenry needs to consume just like all other Americans. To attract customers, new businesses have added more bright lights to Cape Girardeau's most important artery with its already ubiquitous billboards.

Consumption, of course, is our national identity. The more stuff you buy, the better. It is an expression of our freedom and individuality. Consumption has become our politics, our religion, our family and our community.

Be that as it may, consuming does not appropriately mirror the soul of a town. All communities, small and large, are reflections of their history. Small-town history is archived in its Main Street.

Though most of Main Street's economic value has been passed to the interstate-area giants, the small, local, independent shopkeepers and restaurateurs are unique to Cape Girardeau. They represent the essence of the community.

Main Street businesses are not doing well. With the exception of a handful of old-line establishments, the turnover among the majority of Main Street concerns has been excessive. The traffic on Main Street is insufficient to sustain a healthy business climate. Main Street businesses, however, do fill meaningful niches.

It is important to have a thriving Main Street business district. It is also important for Cape Girardeau to offer a family-friendly community resource. Both of these objectives could be attained through the development of a Main Street Park.

Main Street Park would run from Independence on the north to William on the south and from Main Street on the west to the railroad tracks along the river floodwall on the east. The park concept is to create a town focal point and generate traffic for Main Street businesses.

Existing operations would be supported, and new firms would be attracted. Parking would be provided for park users and for area businesses using vacant property on side streets and on the land north of Broadway and east of Main.

Some of the features to be incorporated into the park:

Bandstand for free concerts.

Skateboard park.

Carousel.

Petting zoo.

Playground equipment.

Water park.

Chess and checker boards with seating.

Fountain with seating.

Gardens with seating.

There are several sources of funding of this enterprise. The sources would consist of public funds available through a number of state and federal programs. An effort should also be made to collect from corporate and private donors.

Main Street Park would be a central place for families, not only for the facilities offered in the park, but also for the opportunities to visit Main Street shops that would cater to the park crowd. In addition to providing local residents with a worthy destination, the park would become a draw for tourists from surrounding communities. There is a shortage of alternatives to the culture of consumption. Parents should be able to spend leisure time with their children outside of Wal-Mart, McDonald's and the mall.

Eli Fishman of Cape Girardeau is the owner of Cape Shoe Co.