LETTERS: ITY SHOULD USE ITS AUTHORITY TO RAZE

To the editor:

Monsignor Joseph E. Gosche's March 14 letter, "Demolition plans: Think of people," analyzing the circumstances in which buildings might be demolished despite owner opposition was a useful contribution to the debate. Its principal policy recommendation, however, ought not to be accepted. That recommendation was, "The tearing down of buildings in Cape Girardeau ... should stop until there is a comprehensive plan for rehabilitating and initially developing the entire riverfront." The immediately following factual assertion and recommendation I endorse, namely, "Cape Girardeau has never truly exploited its riverfront for the benefits of all the people of the city. That should be a high-priority goal." Such predicates do not justify delaying demolitions until a "comprehensive plan" can be developed.

One of the economic facts of urban life is that the value of my property is directly dependent on the condition of nearby property. Since many of the buildings deserving demolition are in the historical part of the city, their very existence is a deterrent to redevelopment in that area. The fact that the city has waited so long to initiate demolition of obvious eyesores sends a powerful signal to persons contemplating building or renovating in the historical area that such building or renovating is a relatively high-risk activity. The single most constructive signal the city could send to persons contemplating renovating in the historical part of the city would be to move vigorously and successfully to demolish old buildings that are not being maintained. The old St. Francis Hospital and the old Marquette Hotel are two prime examples.

The tools available to the city are principally the powers to zone, to tax and to spend. The only thing that a planning exercise might bring to the debate are new ways to use those tools. While new ways of using these tools are highly desirable, it is not likely that new ways can be made acceptable quickly. A planning exercise might be a useful way to develop new methods for using the old tools, but it ought not be a cause for further delays in using existing powers in currently acceptable ways to make needed improvements.

CHARLES G. STALON

Cape Girardeau