No long-term funding in place for Broadway renovation

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - While the final look of the Broadway Corridor Enhancement Project is still on the drawing board, its funding is set in stone.

Funding for the undertaking is coming from two sources, according to project manager Kasey Brunke.

"The entire funding that we have for the Broadway Corridor Enhancement Project, which is from Pacific Street to Water Street we have $3.85 million," Brunke said. "$2.85 million came from the Transportation Trust Fund Four tax."

The other one million dollars comes from the city's transfer of property to Isle of Capri.

The project has been planned on for many years, but it was jumped started by Isle of Capri’s decision to open a casino in Cape Girardeau.

While funding for construction is in place, many supporters harbor some level anxiety about the long-term upkeep of the project.

Brunke says that there is no definite long term funding solution, but it is one of her top priorities.

"I know maintenance is a huge issue," Brunke said. "We are still checking into all that. It is very much at the forefront of our radars. We don’t wanna put something in that looks great the day we put it in, but then a year or two years later it doesn’t look so nice. I thought SWT had a really good comment about saying they want it to look good when they put it in and 30 years later."

The project will rehab a stretch of Broadway running from Pacific to Water Street. Bidding will start in the fall. Construction is slated to start in the winter and be done by next fall.

The team hopes that the construction will be completed by Southeast Missouri State’s homecoming.

Tim Filla, KRCU

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Business owners and residents brainstorm Broadway's future

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Residents and local business leaders put their heads together Monday night to discuss the Broadway Corridor Project.

It marked the first public forum on the DREAM Initiative-funded project.

A workshop allowed for participants to ask questions as well as bounce around possible ideas.

For residents, the meeting was about bringing a new and beautiful rebirth for the once thriving avenue. For business owners, such as Robert Gentry, the focus was on traffic.

"Anytime when you are in the business district, increased traffic gives a business owner the opportunity to increase their business," Gentry said. "Nothing is guaranteed of course, but when there is more flow of traffic when more store fronts are filled opposed to vacant, it creates the appearance of fullness."

While most supported the project, some still voiced concerns such as traffic, parking, and long term maintenance.

One such supporter, Rob Herbst, felt the most pressing issue was that of long term sustainability and upkeep.

"Maintaining it going forward as far as keeping it clean and in good repairs. So often these kinds of projects are built and then five years later you don’t have the maintenance there, but I think they are addressing that and being able to plan it in," Herbst said.

The meeting acted as a data collection mechanism for the three firms hired and tasked with designing the project.

The project will affect the stretch of Broadway spanning from Pacific to Water. It will be bid on in the winter, and completed by Fall of next year.

The meeting was held at the Discovery Playhouse on Broadway in downtown Cape.

Tim Filla, KRCU

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