Heather Brooks win historic preservation award

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Cape Girardeau Assistant City Manager Heather Brooks won an award for her efforts to revitalize the downtown area.

The non profit group Missouri Main Street Connection presented Brooks with its Outstanding Public Official award at its annual conference on August 11.

Brooks’ efforts to revive the downtown area include her work on the Downtown Strategic Plan and the town’s designation as a DREAM city. She believes a comprehensive effort will go beyond events and will encompass downtown beautification, economic development and traffic generation.

"There’s not just one solution that’s going to fix everything," Brooks says. "There are a lot of things you have to look at when your looking at revitalizing and keeping healthy a downtown area. You can’t just do events."

Brooks feels that a truly vibrant downtown requires a focus on keeping the area clean and looking its best. Another key issue is the need to keep local businesses healthy.

Looking forward, Brooks hopes to develop a Community Improvement District for the downtown.

Hannah Parent, KRCU

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