WORK ON DOWNTOWN PROGRAM TO BEGIN

Proponents of getting Cape Girardeau recognized as an official Main Street Town hope to get organized in January.

The Main Street Program, which is administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, is intended to assist communities in downtown revitalization efforts.

The Cape Girardeau Downtown Merchants Association is spearheading the effort, but the scope of the Main Street group will go beyond downtown and include other areas, including the Haarig district.

Judith Ann Lang, an association member, said much needs to be done to make the city eligible for the program. The first step is for a local Main Street group to officially organize and apply for status as a not-for-profit group.

"We are still in the very, very early stages," Lang said.

She expects a Main Street board of directors consisting of 10 to 15 people to be in place and establish bylaws sometime next month. Support of the various local civic groups is being sought.

"We're trying to build enthusiasm and get the ball rolling," Lang said.

The Department of Economic Development provides Main Street Towns with technical expertise, design assistance for property owners and volunteer training programs.

To qualify, a community must meet 10 criteria:

-- Have public and private support for the commercial district revitalization process.

-- Develop vision and mission statements for a local Main Street group.

-- Develop a comprehensive improvement plan.

-- Be committed to historical preservation.

-- Have an active Main Street board of directors and committees.

-- Have an adequate operating budget.

-- Hire a paid, professional manager.

-- Adopt a training program for volunteers.

-- Become members of the National Main Street Network.

Lang said running a Main Street Program costs $50,000 a year on average. "Money for a Main Street Program typically comes from three sources: fund raisers, private donations and the city," Lang said.

The city's contribution would likely be through in-kind support from city staff.

Private donations, in addition to cash, could include donated office space and equipment. Much of the organization's budget would go to hire the required full-time program manager.

"It really takes a lot to run a program like this," Lang said.

Ten Missouri cities were recently named Main Street Towns.