Marquette's new future adds luster to downtown Cape

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By Jon K. Rust

The Marquette Hotel has been saved! An eyesore for several decades, this once-great downtown landmark promises to sparkle again, thanks in large part to Gov. Bob Holden, a visionary developer, a determined real estate agent and the diligence of local leaders.

The Marquette holds a storied place in the history of Cape Girardeau. Its walls sheltered distinguished guests during the middle of the previous century. The hotel's Spanish-influenced towers, terrazzo floors and terra-cotta trim drew 8,000 people for tours when it first opened Nov. 17, 1928. Since the 1960s, however, the hotel has fallen into disrepair.

So bad did the integrity of the outside walls become that except for the high cost of tearing it down, the structure might have been demolished in recent years. With urgings by the Bullock family, which owned the building; real estate developer Tom Meyer; students at Southeast Missouri State University; and other interested individuals, the previous city council decided to allow further exploration of all avenues before bringing in the demolition crews.

In the end, what saved the building was Holden, who signed an executive order that privileged historical downtown buildings for the leasing of state office space. On Friday, the state's Division of Facilities Management awarded a state contract for office space to Prost Builders of Jefferson City, who had agreed to buy and renovate the building if they received the contract.

It is important to note: The state did not buy the building, and taxpayers will spend roughly the same on this location (and less in most cases) than had been proposed by others bidding for the office contract. Could the governor have saved money by not privileging historic sites? Yes. But, as Mayor Jay Knudtson explained at a press conference, "There couldn't have been a better shot in the arm to downtown Cape."

According to Meyer, the developer's renovation plans are ambitious, with a total investment around $6 million and a re-opening date as early as nine months away.

Knudtson also deserves credit. He made it a mission to see that the building would not only survive, but that it would thrive as part of his plan to help rejuvenate downtown. With his help, parking questions were addressed thanks to Southeast Missouri State University's agreement to sell a nearby building for use as a covered garage.

While there were other worthy bidders for the state office contract, the governor's office made a decision that will benefit Cape Girardeau long into the future.

Jon K. Rust is co-president of Rust Communications.