STATE NOT INTERESTED IN ACQUIRING OLD SEMINARY

The state of Missouri has little interest in acquiring St. Vincent's Seminary in Cape Girardeau, state park officials say.

"It would be a very rare instance if we would purchase a seminary," said William Palmer, director of the state's Division of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

A local group, the Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation, is seeking to purchase the 150-year-old seminary property and turn the buildings and grounds into a museum and Civil War interpretive center.

An architectural firm hired by the foundation has said the finished development including museums, a Civil War re-enactment area and replica gunboat, Ulysses S. Grant presidential library, excursion train, restored log cabin and working trolley car could cost more than $11 million.

A proposal that the state consider acquiring the property was included in a plan to expand state parks and historic sites. The plan, prepared by the state, was unveiled this month.

The plan includes expansion ideas raised by citizens at public meetings throughout the state. One of those meetings was held in Cape Girardeau last November.

Palmer said Thursday that the report makes it clear that acquisition of St. Vincent's Seminary doesn't fit in with the state's plans.

"Generally, religious structures would not be acquisition targets unless broader historical concepts were involved and a historical significance extending well beyond the interests of the denomination concerned," he said.

In addition, Palmer said, the state already has 14 Civil War era sites. "It would take a real significant Civil War period site to be included in this."

David Murphy, executive director of the Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation, said the local group doesn't want the state to acquire it.

But he said the group does hope to secure some state funding for the proposed project.

"Quite frankly, because of the cost factor, I feel very strongly that they will be involved with us in this venture," said Murphy.

But, he added, state involvement more likely would come from the Division of Tourism than from the Division of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

"Our plans call for a free-standing building on our property, to be utilized by the Missouri Division of Tourism," he said.

Murphy said he believes state preservation officials are interested in the project. He said he met in May with Claire Blackwell, deputy state historic preservation officer, to inquire about possible funding.

At this point, the Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation has not received any state funding.

"You cannot go to the state in May and hope to get any money," said Murphy.

He said he plans to meet in January with Missouri lawmakers in an effort to push for some state funding.

In a June 4 letter to Murphy, Blackwell called the proposed development an "ambitious one." But she said it doesn't fall within the mission or criteria of the state parks division.

Blackwell wrote, "The St. Vincent Seminary is a wonderful historic complex. We are very interested in seeing it preserved for a viable contemporary use."

Murphy said Blackwell indicated that 50-50 matching grants are available on a competitive basis for historic survey and planning work.

"Although we cannot provide acquisition or development assistance, we support preservation of St. Vincent's and would be happy to provide whatever technical assistance we can to ensure enhancement and protection of the property's significant historic and architectural qualities," Blackwell wrote.

Murphy said the foundation is concerned right now with the purchase of the 27-acre site overlooking the Mississippi River. The former seminary, owned by the Vincentian order, currently is for sale.