River Campus set to have official start

One can only imagine the sense of satisfaction Southeast Missouri State University and Cape Girardeau city officials will enjoy on May 27 when they stand among state and federal lawmakers and sink their ceremonial shovels into the dirt at the River Campus. The official groundbreaking ceremony for the performing and visual arts campus is slated for 3 p.m.

It has been a long road for both entities, starting with the purchase of the old Catholic seminary at the foot of the Mississippi River bridge. The university's purchase of the property was followed by votes to pay for the joint project. Then there were lawsuits to stop it. Now the city and university say the proposed project is ready for an official start.

The property where what is being called the River Campus will be located offers outstanding views of the Mississippi River, and the campus will no doubt be an inspiration to the artists, musicians and dancers who go there to enhance their talents and share them with appreciative audiences. There also will be a walking trail and a regional museum where schoolchildren and others can come to learn about the area's heritage. And the project promises to provide an economic boost to the city.

Little by little, the River Campus is becoming a reality.