Major step reached toward downtown CID

There have been significant changes in Cape Girardeau's downtown in recent years, including the Broadway Corridor Project.

Now a local group has worked on a possible Downtown Community Improvement District to address other needs in the area, focusing on cleanup and security.

Earlier this month a petition was filed with the city clerk to form a Community Improvement District for portions of the area. Known as a CID, the petition is the first step in the process and includes signatures from owners who represent more than 50 percent of assessed valuation and more than 50 percent of property owners, according to the steering committee.

The city clerk has 90 days from the date the petition was filed for verification. It would then go to the city council to set a public meeting. The council would then have to approve an ordinance establishing the district.

A CID board of directors next would call for a mail-in vote of registered voters in the district to approve the $0.6708 property tax and half-cent sales tax. A 50 percent approval is required for passage.

Proposed board members, according to the petition, include Lindy Lysell, Southeast Missourian publisher Jon K. Rust, Dave Hutson, Sheila Sauer, Kent Zickfield, James Stapleton and Daniel Statler.

According to Old Town Cape executive director Marla Mills, the property tax replaces the current property tax in the riverfront special business district, should it be approved.

This effort makes sense. The Broadway Corridor Project was a major undertaking with significant resources expended. Having a community improvement district for this part of town will help keep the area looking nice and provide additional security.

Ultimately the decision is up to the voters who live in the district, which is not only necessary but appropriate.

The board is made up of volunteers who have an interest in seeing the area succeed. Should the voters support the proposed district, we believe it will be a positive step for downtown Cape Girardeau.