Expert: Local government must protect historic sites

A state expert says when it comes to historic preservation, state and federal protection aren't enough.

"State government and federal government won't really do anything to protect your historic districts. Local governments are really the only ones that can protect your community, because we don't have the legal authority," said Jo Ann Radetic, a certified local government coordinator with the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office.

Radetic was the featured speaker Wednesday night at city council chambers in an event celebrating National Historic Preservation Month. She spoke prior to the regularly scheduled Historic Preservation Commission meeting.

While applauding Cape Girardeau for the high value it places on preserving historic structures, Radetic challenged the city to do more.

"Tell the community about your concerns, tell your community about why you think your neighborhood is important and needs to be preserved," she said.

Cape Girardeau has 18 landmarks, including Old Lorimier Cemetery, the Glenn House at 325 S. Spanish St. and Hanover Lutheran Church at 2929 Perryville Road. The city also has four districts on the National Register of Historic Places. But there are no locally registered districts. Nationwide there are 2,300 local historic districts.

Dr. Steven Hoffman of Old Town Cape said efforts in the past to give local districts the designation never got off the ground. Hoffman said he would like to see some neighborhoods around city hall, the Good Hope/Haarig District and sections of Broadway get the title.

The local designation requires a petition signed by more than 50 percent of property owners in the proposed district.

"One of the things studies have shown is that property values rise very rapidly when they're one of these districts," Hoffman said.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245