The city of Cape Girardeau plans to demolish a former barbecue place across from Indian Park as part of its beautification efforts.

The building, at 325 William Street, formerly housed Akil's BBQ. It is one of three structures slated to be torn down by a contractor hired by the city at a cost of $6,760.

"We have 20 tracts on the current condemnation list," Councilman Tom Neumeyer told a meeting Saturday of the Neighborhood Investment Committee. The meeting was held at the Salvation Army building at 701 Good Hope.

The committee is headed by Neumeyer and fellow Councilman Melvin Gateley.

The committee includes representatives from several civic and neighborhood groups, including Vision 2000. Eleven people attended Saturday's meeting, including two Cape Girardeau police officers.

Improving the city's south-side neighborhood has been a major goal of the committee. The loose-knit organization has been meeting for about eight months, Gateley said.

The committee wants to see the neighborhood cleaned up. Committee members want the city to condemn and demolish abandoned and deteriorating buildings.

Neumeyer said the city has been doing just that.

About 40 abandoned cars have been found on the city's south side in recent weeks, Neumeyer said.

The city has taken steps to have some of the cars removed, he said.

Gateley said residents need to get involved in picking up the trash in their neighborhoods.