COUNCIL TO VIEW TOURISM FUND PROPOSALS; SEMINARY RECOMMENDATION, `RECREATION THEME' PROJECT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT MEETING

Discussion of two proposals for use of excess city tourism funds will top the agenda for tonight's Cape Girardeau City Council meeting.

Representatives of the Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation and a "recreation theme" project will each have about 15 minutes to present their respective proposals to the city council.

The Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation has sought "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.

The recreation theme project would include components from two separate sports and recreation proposals that were vying for tourism funds.

The city council last year solicited proposals for use of excess money from a city tax on motels and restaurants. The tax revenue has been used almost exclusively to fund the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and to help retire the debt on a $5 million bond issue used to build the Show Me Center.

The CVB Advisory Board considered more than 30 such proposals before recommending that a "recreation theme" project would be the best use of the excess tourism funds.

The board recommended components from two projects that called for, among other items, improved softball and soccer facilities in the city be combined to a single proposal.

Last week the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended a $4 million project that would include:

20Construction of an eight-field softball complex and five additional soccer fields at Shawnee Park in the city's south end.

20The purchase of about 90 acres of property near the intersection of Mt. Auburn Road and North Kingshighway for a "general-use community park." Soccer and softball facilities that initially were planned for the site have been eliminated from the new proposal.

Construction of a 32,000-square-foot, multi-use convention and community center at the new park site. The building would house the CVB and would be the site for city recreation programs in addition to public and private events.

Expedition of a hiking and biking trail through the new park site.

In other business, the council will consider an agreement with the Missouri State Highway Commission that will enable the state to proceed with construction of the new Mississippi River bridge and Route 74 through Cape Girardeau.

The agreement provides for utility relocations, city street connections, right-of-way usage, traffic control and similar items.

In a letter to council members, Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink said: "This is a key step in the long chain of events toward the ultimate construction of this new bridge and highway.

"Action on this urban agreement is necessary at this time so that the highway commission can proceed with advertising and awarding the first construction contract on this project," he added.

Stoverink said the state plans to let a contract for dirt fill for a proposed new Interstate 55 interchange in late winter or early spring.

The council also will consider a temporary, one-year permit to enable TCI Cablevision of Missouri to continue cable TV service after its franchise with the city expires next month.

In a letter to the council members, City Attorney Warren Wells said the permit is needed to allow sufficient time to negotiate a new franchise agreement.

"These permits are not to be considered as extensions of existing franchises nor do they constitute the granting of a franchise for a limited period of time," Wells said. "They are simply temporary permits that may be terminated by the city council at any time."

Other agenda items for tonight's meeting include:

Authorization of a contract for the design and construction of a metal building and hopper for a new solid waste transfer station compactor. The lone bid on the project, $53,000, was submitted by Penzel Construction Co.

20An ordinance to establish no parking on Lexington Avenue from Kingshighway to Perryville Road.

A resolution declaring it necessary to improve Lexington from Perryville Road to the intersection with Concord Place and existing Lexington.

Appointments to the city's Golf Course Advisory Board, Planning and Zoning Commission and Show Me Center Board of Managers.