HAARIG DISTRICT NEEDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN RENEWAL BID

Though not a huge city, Cape Girardeau has a number of distinctive neighborhoods: the historic downtown, the expanding west end, the diverse university area. Though sometimes forgotten in this list, there is also the Haarig area, a commercial neighborhood centered at Good Hope Street and known in more recent times for commerce of an illegal sort. Now, merchants in the Haarig district are taking steps to revive the area. We applaud these efforts.

A tour of the area was held a couple of weeks ago, sponsored by the Haarig Area Development Association, a group committed to cleaning up that portion of the city, attracting more businesses and generally elevating the profile of a neighborhood whose prospects and respect have suffered. Haarig was once a thriving area, a place where retailers and theaters and professional offices dwelled side by side; it was a second downtown, a bit removed from the riverfront but a hub of activity nonetheless in a day when the western boundaries of Cape Girardeau weren't too far west.

Time took a toll on the area, the current of commercial movement taking businesses west. There was never a plan effected to replace what was lost. Nothing sinks so fast as a business district whose businesses depart. New businesses had a hard time of it. Remaining merchants found themselves with little reinforcement. Worst of all, the 400 block of Good Hope became the place one came in Cape Girardeau to purchase crack cocaine, and along with that distinction came accompanying waves of fights, shootings, thefts and other activities that make it hard for legitimate businesses in the district to survive.

When downtown businesses owners began to see the departure of merchants from that part of the city a decade or so ago, they banded together to do something about it. A special tax district was created to fund improvements, special events were scheduled and a good fight is still being launched. Thanks to these efforts, downtown remains a viable, even vibrant, commercial area ... and Cape Girardeau is better for that. The city would likewise see positive effects if Haarig makes a significant comeback.

Trailing downtown's efforts, the Haarig group now stands primed to launch a revival. Two very noteworthy things have happened: the crack dealers have been chased away, and a desire has been expressed to get the job done. Good steps, but much more must happen. In an odd turn on governmental intervention, merchants in that area have asked the city not for relaxed regulations but more strongly enforced ones; they want trash picked up on vacant lots and they want property owners held accountable for letting their land fall into disrepair. Above all, they want people to feel safe when they come into that part of the city. As property owners reaching out to the city for help in revitalizing a part of Cape Girardeau, these requests do not seem out of line.

Ultimately, though, a turnaround in the Haarig district will require an infusion of capital, and that goes a bit beyond the duty and capability of city government. Some good things are happening in the area: the new bridge route carries the potential to bring more traffic near the area, and the Salvation Army is committed to constructing a new facility that will dress up the area. Revitalizing the Haarig district will be no simple task. But just as the revival of downtown has lent a necessary texture and spirit to all of Cape Girardeau, so would a similar endeavor on Good Hope and throughout that neighborhood. We wish this group well in its work, and we hope citizens are open-minded and supportive of what is being done.