Plaza Galleria to be razed

Editor's note: The following story has been edited to reflect that the Plaza Galleria does not reside in the Community Improvement District established in 2007 for the Town Plaza shopping center.

The building that held the area's first supermarket in 1969 and a popular ice skating rink and shopping center in the 1980s will soon become something else -- rubble.

The former Plaza Galleria at 2001 Independence St. is scheduled to be razed in the next few weeks, according to Tom Kelsey, broker and president of Lorimont Place Ltd., who represents the property. Kelsey said contractors are making preparations to demolish the 56,000-square-foot building, which has been closed since 2005. The building has fallen into disrepair, but the 6.86-acre commercial lot "will be attractive to retailers or other buyers looking for a 'neighborhood friendly' location in Cape Girardeau," Kelsey said.

"We have had several prospective buyers for that property over the last several years," Kelsey said. "Because of the deteriorating condition ... they just felt like it was too big of a tab."

Since the owners, Dr. C.R. and Betty Talbert, decided to take the structure down, Kelsey said he already is speaking with "buyers who might have more interest in a ground-up project, rather than attempting to rehab the present building."

Kelsey plans to advertise the property on various Internet commercial databases and to network with local and regional brokers and prospects.

The roof is damaged and water leaks into the building, Kelsey said. Though it was "very unique for its time," he said, it would require extensive work to make it earthquake safe and to improve insulation. Demolition crews began this week on asbestos abatement and removing salvageable contents. Kelsey said the contractor will likely scrap and resell anything that can be put to use.

The property does not fall within the Community Improvement District established in 2007 for the Town Plaza shopping center.

The Cape farmers market, which uses the parking lot in front of the glass atrium from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, will be able to continue to operate as usual, Kelsey said. The owners contacted the market this week and let them know that they could continue business.

Though the property line borders Independence Street and the sidewalks of the businesses that flank the parking lot, Kelsey said the stripcenter tenants have a reciprocal parking arrangement with the Talberts that the new buyers will have to honor.

Kelsey said the loss of the building is bittersweet, but he hopes clearing the property will put it on a faster track for development.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

2001 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.