Old Town Cape's future

Since its formation in 1999, Old Town Cape has devoted most of its energy to finding ways to improve Cape Girardeau's neglected downtown. The organization has sponsored or collaborated in presenting a number of festivals and events, including Libertyfest, Tunes at Twilight, Taste of Old Town and ArtsCape. It also has fostered plans for the Fountain Street extension and has sponsored business seminars.

The not-for-profit organization is affiliated with the national Main Street program, which since 1980 has been helping communities reawaken their historic commercial areas.

These projects have helped bring new life downtown, but the time has come for physical manifestations of all the planning to begin taking shape. Thus came news last week that the organization's executive director, Catherine Dunlap, will depart by Dec. 31. Empty storefronts need filling. Someone with the particular skills to bring in new businesses is required. New leadership will present the opportunity to make downtown Cape Girardeau a magnet not only for residents but for tourists.

While the focus so far necessarily has been downtown, the Old Town Cape district extends from the Mississippi River west to West End Boulevard. Commercial areas along Broadway, Independence Street, Good Hope Street and Morgan Oak need attention as well.

Once businesses begin filling in the spaces downtown, parking that already is limited will become scarce. That is a welcome problem the new director and the city will have to solve.

Dunlap helped give Old Town Cape a foundation. Now it is time for building.