Pardon our dust

People who visit the Southeast Missourian building at the corner of Broadway and Lorimier in Cape Girardeau may wonder if they're in the right place. The entrance to the building has moved a bit west, and anyone who peeks inside might think we're looking a bit cluttered in some parts and empty in others. It's all for a good reason.

The building, recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, is undergoing an extensive renovation. Part of the work involves infrastructure needing an upgrade. Other parts are more cosmetic but important to creating a quality work environment for our employees.

Most of the work is expected to be completed before Oct. 1.

Our dust is far from the only dust being created in Cape Girardeau these days. The new federal courthouse is progressing toward its late 2006 or early 2007 opening. The improvements along Water Street to enhance viewing of the Mississippi River Tales mural are pushing toward completion for Libertyfest on July 4 and the murals' dedication July 7.

When the dust finally settles we'll all be looking grand.