Making downtown Cape Girardeau a more attractive area and helping promote restoration of buildings and new businesses are the goals of the Cape Girardeau Development Corp.

The organization is funded by donations and from a tax property owners voted on themselves several years ago when a special business district was formed.

"We feel like things are getting nicer every year," said Charles Hutson, president of the corporation. "We have made a lot of progress and are continuing to gradually improve things here."

Hutson said downtown Cape Girardeau is finding its niche with speciality shops, restaurants and entertainment areas. Also, there is an ongoing effort downtown to restore the old buildings that make the area so unique.

Several projects recently finished include changing the intersections at Main and Broadway and at Independence and Main Street to include brick paving, benches and trees. Hutson said this effort will continue in the future at downtown intersections.

The group has an ongoing "green thumb" program where trees are planted wherever possible to improve the area's appearance.

Hutson said the corporation works with other organizations such as the downtown merchants association, a parking lot association, and with Vision 2000.

Working with Vision 2000, a flagpole was installed this year on the corner of Main and Independence. Last year a pavilion was constructed, with costs split between the corporation and merchants association.

Christmas lighting along the floodwall was also upgraded during the past year. Also, a fence is being finished at a new parking lot at Main and Water.

"We all wear a bunch of hats down here and all work together and pool funds to do what we can," said Hutson.

A new mural outside the floodwall was completed last year, and Hutson said he has received many comments about it. "I have heard nothing but positive remarks on that," said Hutson.

One of the projects being considered now is the construction of observation decks at the floodwall entrances off Water Street.

"We are looking for any worthwhile project we can fund to improve the downtown area," said Hutson.

Overall, the longtime downtown merchant said things are picking up in his part of town.

"There is more activity, even late at night, down here," said Hutson. "People are seeing the merit of locating businesses and restaurants down here. I'm proud to say that parking at night is at a premium downtown."