RIVER CAMPUS PLANS ARE BEING DISCUSSED

By the time Cape Girardeau's voters go to the polls Nov. 3, officials at Southeast Missouri State University hope the voters are adequately informed to make a good decision about a city tax proposal to pay a portion of the cost of converting the former St. Vincent's Seminary campus into SEMO's River Campus for the arts.

Already, university officials have started making presentations to civic groups in an effort to outline the benefits of the River Campus and to answer questions. At stake is an increase in the city's hotel-motel tax to 4 percent from the current 3 percent, plus an extension of that tax until 2030. In addition, a positive vote would extend the existing 1 percent restaurant tax until 2030.

The River Campus would turn the empty seminary campus -- offering one of the best river views in town -- into a complex for music, art, dance and theater. The River Campus also would feature a performing arts center, and the university's museum would be moved to that location.

All in all, the plan provides a combination of facilities to meet the university's needs and to offer many public events in appropriate settings. Anyone who has visited the museum in its current location on the main SEMO campus understands the need for more space and better public access. And while Rose Theater and Academic Auditorium on the main campus and the Show Me Center are good facilities for small productions and large events, there currently is no suitable place to hold some performing-arts events like an orchestra's performance or a Broadway road show.

Beyond meeting university and community needs in several areas of the arts, there also is a well-grounded concern about the area of town where the former seminary is located. Without a major redevelopment, the prospects aren't too bright. That was a major part of the thinking of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce board's endorsement of the River Campus concept.

As chamber president John Mehner put it: "We are spending less than 25 percent for a $35 million redevelopment project to spur redevelopment in that section of town."

If approved, the city's hotel, motel and restaurant taxes would provide $8.9 million of the River Campus cost. Another $8.9 million would be raised by a university fund drive, and the Legislature would be asked to appropriate $17.8 million.

There will be plenty of opportunities for interested voters to hear more about the project and to get answers to their questions. A good choice in November will depend on how well-informed the voters are.