IT'S TIME FOR `CAN-DO' ON OLD STRUCTURES

The Cape Girardeau City Council has approved $500,000 in next year's budget to raze either the old St. Francis Hospital building or the Marquette Hotel. Councilmen hope the money will never be spent.

The old St. Francis Hospital has been purchased in recent months, and a group from Texas is looking at the Marquette Hotel.

By budgeting the money, the city is forcing new owners to cement plans and push forward. Both buildings have been vacant much too long, with dozens of pie-in-the-sky projects falling by the wayside.

It is time for "can do," not "what ifs.".

The new owner of the old hospital building is claiming that the threat of demolition has scared off potential investors. This seems highly unlikely. The council has clearly stated that if plans for development are in place, it will not condemn the building.

The city would be happy if plans to redevelop both buildings become reality. That would save taxpayers a hefty chunk of money. That $500,000 could be much better spent on city services.

On the other hand, the city is not willing to coddle developers without plans or the wherewithal to pull off renovations. The city is merely responding to the public outcry that something must be done with the buildings.

At least the $500,000 budget allocation guarantees that something will happen in the next year with these public eyesores. Like a high-stakes poker game, the city has called the hand of developers who either own or are considering purchase of the aging properties.

The city is giving developers ample opportunity to act if the plans are legitimate. If not, they need to fold and let the buildings be razed.