Group proposes prettier I-55 exits

Jason Bandermann believes the interchanges along Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau County are in need of a facelift.

With the exception of exit 96, Bandermann said, travelers may notice a significant lack of attractive landscaping near the area's interchanges. If a group chooses to fund a proposed initiative, travelers would instead notice a sign and flowers, shrubs or other small plants that would send a welcoming message with the hopes of drawing visitors to local businesses.

The interstate exit project was one of four Leadership Cape ideas presented to an audience of 185 business leaders during the monthly First Friday Coffee at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Each year Leadership Cape participants form groups and create a community project for future consideration.

The initiative is a leadership development training opportunity for community leaders to familiarize themselves with various facets of the city -- in Bandermann's case, the exits.

The interchanges could compel visitors "to fall in love with Cape Girardeau based on the look of those interchanges," said Bandermann, referral services manager at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. "So if you increase the image of those interchanges, then great economical benefits could fall on residents and the business community in Cape Girardeau County."

The idea, known as Lands¿Cape County, is designed to beautify interchanges along I-55 in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and surrounding areas using the Missouri Department of Transportation's Growing Together program. Under the plan, MoDOT would review and approve landscape designs while ensuring the safety of individuals providing the labor.

The initiative would allow Saxony Lutheran High School, Southeast Missouri State University, Jackson School District, Notre Dame Regional High School, the Cape Girardeau School District and the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center to adopt an interchange through a contractual agreement with MoDOT. Each institution would be responsible for naming an adviser, who would lead students in the design, maintenance and implementation of their adopted landscaping.

Bandermann said the students' work would in turn improve the image of each interchange.

"An impression of excellence will be displayed and an emphasis of quality will be placed on our area schools drawing both individuals and businesses to relocate to Cape Girardeau County," Bandermann said. "Interstate travelers will be encouraged to exit at these interchanges thus increasing traffic for the respective storefronts."

Tracey Glenn, vice president of organization and leadership development at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, said the goal of Leadership Cape was for people of diverse backgrounds to work together to accomplish one goal.

"The whole point of doing a project as a team is not the project but the process," Glenn said. "We divide people into teams based on personality types, age, female-male ratio and occupations. While many of these projects can become a reality, that's not the goal. Someone may make that happen, but that's not what we're looking for."

One group proposed an advisory board for Cape Girardeau fire and emergency services. Elected to three-year terms, the seven committee members would meet bimonthly to discuss such projects as promoting the proper use of smoke detectors and assisting the fire department in exploring the need for additional fire houses.

Another group unveiled a constructed riverboat pilot wheel that could be placed along the riverfront as a backdrop for visitor photos. At a cost of $6,000 to $8,000, the group hopes the steel wheel would give the city an identity, such as the Arch in St. Louis or Statue of Liberty in New York City.

The final group presented an ex-offender employment program. The initiative's goal is to help individuals with a criminal history improve public safety by working in the community.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137