HOTEL OWNER, CITY AT AN IMPASSE OVER MONEY

Estimates that it might cost $1 million to demolish the aging Marquette Hotel in downtown Cape Girardeau are staggering. If the city ever decides to give up on deadline extensions while the owner looks for a buyer, taxpayers would have to foot that bill. Even if the real cost is much less -- say in the $250,000 range -- it's money the city doesn't have.

Nor, it appears, does the hotel's owner, who could scarcely afford to spend huge sums to tear down a structure that would require even bigger amounts to salvage and restore to use.

So there is an interesting impasse. The owner can't afford to upgrade the building, which is considered a public hazard by the city. And the city can't afford to tear it down if it follows through on condemnation.

What the old hotel needs is someone who appreciates history, has a business plan to generate cash flow and has the money to put the building back in shape. Otherwise, a future city budget is likely to include whatever it costs to tear down the old hotel.