Celebrating downtown

Anyone who hasn't seen Cape Girardeau's downtown in the past 10 years or so would be pleasantly surprised by the way residential and business owners in what is now known as Old Town Cape are saving the past and updating for the future.

With today's centennial bash for the Southeast Missourian, city residents and visitors will have yet another opportunity to enjoy the new downtown. In addition to the newspaper's street party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown businesses and organizations are continuing the celebration well into the night. The highlight of the evening's festivities is the Roaring '20s party at Buckner Brewing Company, which is among the many downtown businesses that have taken something old and made it new again.

We're proud that the Southeast Missourian building -- which is getting a top-to-bottom refurbishing inside and out -- is the newest downtown jewel, joining such remarkable restorations as the Marquette Tower and the impressive new skyline created by the federal courthouse on Independence Street.

Besides those major projects, there is a new office building being constructed as close as you can get to the Mississippi River without getting dunked. Storefronts have been given stylish facelifts. Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus is taking shape. Homes and apartment buildings are being upgraded to last another century or so.

And look at all the activity anchored downtown. The past month has had busy weekends with the Harley Owners Group state rally, the City of Roses Music Festival and now the Southeast Missourian's centennial finale.

Old Town Cape has still more ambitious plans on the drawing board -- plans that offer gracious living, exciting workplaces, delicious dining, bright art galleries, smart shopping venues and magnificent churches.

Look around Cape Girardeau. It's a city with a rhythm of development and progress that promises a bright future for another century. And downtown is playing a major role as this civic blockbuster unfolds.

Thanks so much to all of you who have, in so many ways, contributed to the celebration of the Southeast Missourian's first 100 years over the past 12 months. You have been fantastic.