GROUPS MAKE PITCH FOR SLICE OF TOURISM TAX; BOARD EXAMINES FITNESS/CULTURAL PROJECTS, SEMINARY

The Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation wants "seed" money to acquire the 150-year-old St. Vincent's Seminary in downtown Cape Girardeau. Plans call for converting the property into a national and local historic museum and civil war interpretative center.

"This project is a rare opportunity which will allow the community to come together and develop a special and unique image for the city," said Barbara Rust, president of the Foundation which was formed more than a year ago. "We're looking at several ideas for a long-range project, but without the seminary property nothing can happen."

Rust and David Murphy, executive director of the Foundation, were among speakers who appeared before the Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitor's Bureau Advisory Board Monday as the board began hearing proposals from various groups which are requesting a portion of tourism tax funds.

Bob Hahn, of Mid-America Hotels Corporation, also appeared before the board Monday, with a proposal for a 103-acre total family fitness and cultural project which would be constructed near the intersection of Mt. Auburn Road and Hopper Road.

First on the schedule today will be Dennis Vollink, Drury Development Corp., at 1:30 p.m., to present a proposal for a new Convention & Visitors Center proposal. Jim Grebing will discuss a Shawnee Sports Complex plan at 3 p.m. today. Pete Poe will appear before the CVB Board at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, to discuss the SEMO District Fair's advertising request.

The tourism tax funds have previously been used almost exclusively to fund the CVB and to help retire the debt on a $5 million bond issue used to build the Show Me Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.

In attendance at the 1 p.m. meeting Monday were more than 50 persons who were interested in the St. Vincent's project.

"We need $223,000 for a down payment on the seminary property," said Murphy. "The day we get the money is the day that we buy the property and get things going. A chance like this doesn't come down the pike very often. From this property, you have a spectacular view of the Mississippi River."

Also on hand to discuss the overall project were Bob Killingsworth and John Gary of the G.K. Design Group, Dallas, Texas. They presented slides to describe the seminary project which eventually could include two museums, a U.S. Grant Library, walkway to the river, outdoor theater, train depot, and a special building which could house a Missouri Bureau of Tourism facility.

Murphy explained that the project was timely, and that the "time is now" to get started.

"We need your assistance," he said. "The seminary property is for sale, and somebody is eventually going to buy it. We want to be that somebody.

"We'd like to see the project completed in five to seven years," said Murphy, adding that the first thing after purchase is to bring the building up to all city codes.

In his 3 p.m. presentation, Hahn said the family fitness and recreation facility would include a 32,000 square foot multi-activity building, which could accommodate a youth soccer field, or football field, and indoor basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.

Also included in the 103-acre complex would be a six-field, lighted softball complex and outdoor lighted basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, nature trails and a walking, jogging, biking trail.

"This is a three-fold plan," said Hahn. "We are also seeking improvements at Shawnee Park, including upgrading eight soccer fields." The third phase of the project would be a 10-mile hiking and biking trail along Cape LaCroix Creek, from Shawnee Park to the Corp of Engineers storm water detention facility near Route W.

The cost of the park project, which has a completion date of 1994, is $3,650,000, which includes about $200,000 for the cost of the property, noted Hahn.

"Our project would utilize funds from two tax measures a 10 cent per valuation property tax and the motel/restaurant tax which were approved by Cape Girardeau voters in connection with the building of the Show Me Center," said Hahn.

"We would obtain a loan for the project," he added. "The loan would be paid off in 12 years."

The park, when completed, would be turned over to the city.

"We feel that this is a viable, usable, and realistic project," said Hahn. "It would offer the residents of Cape Girardeau a fitness and recreation facility, and could fill a void between our hotels here and the Show Me Center."