GROUPS SEEK TO MAKE MOST OF CITY'S PRIDE

There is pride building in Cape Girardeau. A number of groups are looking at ways to revitalize business and residential areas on the city's south and east neighborhoods.

The South Side Investment Group, Haarig Area Development Corp., Downtown Merchants Association and Downtown Neighborhood Associations are working with the city's Convention and Visitor's Bureau to increase tourism throughout the city.

These organizations have come together to form the Cape Girardeau Community Pride Coalition. Group members feel that Cape Girardeau needs to capitalize on its historic and cultural assets as a way to bring in more visitors. This would fit in well with the state's new push on historic and cultural tourism.

But it's not just a matter of building pride in the status quo. These groups want to revitalize sagging areas of town by bringing in new business and ridding the city of deteriorating structures. The fate of the old St. Francis Hospital building and former Marquette Hotel figure in this discussions as well.

Improvements won't happen overnight. But caring people with a commitment to make things happen can provide a cornerstone for revitalization.