CAIRO'S SPIRIT OF RENEWAL REMAINS STRONG

The citizens of Cairo, Ill., cite a variety of theories for the city's decline during the second half of this century.

Some blame the crackdown on illegal gambling in Alexander County midway through the century, some the exodus resulting from the opening of Interstate 57, others the seemingly never-ending resurfacing of the Ohio River bridge that brought on such long delays that it made crossing almost impractical, and others the racial strife of the 1960s that tore the town apart.

Indeed, all of those occurrences, along with a lack of employment opportunities and high crime rate, have combined to drive Cairo's citizens elsewhere and to inhibit growth.

But all of that is in the past. Today, the citizens of Cairo are making an effort to bring the community back to life. They are focusing on its rich river history in an effort to promote tourism.

The once-thriving downtown area saw store after store close up, and few remain. But the city, with the help of a $1 million Illinois Department of Transportation grant, is revitalizing the business district. Eighth Street has been paved with brick, new historic-looking street lights have been added, a new marquee is in place on the old Gem Theater and a town clock has been installed at Eighth and Commercial streets.

The plan also calls for renovation of the theater, which opened in 1909, and restoration of the park pavilion, which was built in 1872. Eventually, Cairo hopes to turn the theater into a cultural center showing movies, plays and an entertainment series.

The crime rate has been declining, thanks to a beefed-up police force that makes itself highly visible. The number of serious crimes have fallen drastically.

The town of 4,500 population, situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, held its Riverboat Days Festival downtown this year, and a blues band played to the largest crowd that has gathered downtown in decades.

Cairo's decline didn't happen overnight, nor will its rejuvenation. But chances are good that it will happen if its citizens continue to pursue improvements and spread the word that Cairo has begun a comeback.