Two ordinances approved regarding West Park Mall redevelopment

By Nathan Gladden ~ Southeast Missourian

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Redevelopment Project Area 1 is highlighted in red as a part of the map of the included projects for the redevelopment of the West Park Mall in a sketch attached to the agenda report.

Courtesy City of Cape Girardeau

The Cape Girardeau City Council approved two ordinances concerning the West Park Mall redevelopment Tuesday, Sept. 3, with one of the ordinances dating back to nearly a year ago.

The council approved a second and third reading of an ordinance reimbursing the costs through the adopted tax increment financing for Redevelopment Project Area 1 (RPA1) of the River City Centre Tax Increment Redevelopment Area for the project. The first reading of this ordinance was approved Sept. 18.

According to the agenda report, RPA1 is a 13.14-acre tract and refers to the old Macy’s wing of the West Park Mall. The council approved the ordinance by a vote of 5 to 1 with Ward 2 Councilwoman Tameka Randle voting “no” and Ward 6 Councilman Mark Bliss being absent.

The council also approved the second and third readings of an ordinance allowing the Cape Girardeau County Industrial Development Authority Board (IDA) to issue bonds supporting the West Park Mall redevelopment project, which the city approved the first reading Aug. 19. The members voted 5 to 1, with Randle voting “no” and Bliss absent.

Ward 5 Councilman Rhett Pierce added to his “yes” vote on both ordinances by saying after taking a tour of the construction being done to West Park Mall, he can see they’re doing “good work.”

“I’ve seen some thick concrete being poured and some good steel structures being built, and a lot of good stuff happening out there,” Pierce said. “I think they’re doing a great job.”

Ward 4 Councilman David Cantrell also went with Pierce on the tour and Cantrell said he appreciated being able to get a better idea of what’s going on with the construction.

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Tax-supported news: This is a Government-Regulated Shopping District; if the Mall cannot pay the Tax Bill, the Taxpayers will pick up the tab. Remember this when going to the polls on November 5, 2024. Water is on the Ballot. Make a Plan to Vote

-- Posted by Howard S Howes on Wed, Sep 4, 2024, at 8:11 AM
Please explain how the taxpayers will pay if the developer doesn’t ?

-- Posted by Matt Hopkins on Wed, Sep 4, 2024, at 8:33 AM
Seems my comment has been removed. I suppose the truth hurts.

-- Posted by GREYWOLF on Wed, Sep 4, 2024, at 10:32 AM
So seeing “thick concrete” makes this a wonderful project….the reasoning for council votes is amazing!

-- Posted by Proud Paw Paw on Wed, Sep 4, 2024, at 10:48 AM
Well looks like the City Council has another “yes” man to help with their pet projects. I drive by that Mall and only see a big money pit. But of course I have not seen the thick concrete they are pouring which seemed to be a deciding factor for his yes vote. I wonder if he realizes how ridiculous that sounds to justify his vote. I live in the Ward he represents and he does not represent my feelings at all. But then again he didn’t ask any of us.

-- Posted by Jane Butler on Wed, Sep 4, 2024, at 11:22 AM
I hold several municipal bonds in various locations. I won't touch these!

-- Posted by The Papa on Wed, Sep 4, 2024, at 12:24 PM
They give 145 million tax break for the old mall and they want you to vote to increase your own water rates. The city hid from the public for 20 years that they sued the engineering firm for major design flaws and the contractor for poor workmanship. This is the plant they now want to pour tens of millions of your money in that has no earthquake protection. They spent millions on a wellfield just a quarter mile south of the plant on a sand bar by the river that had to be abandoned because when they operated all 10 wells they could hardly get any water out of them. After all this wasted money that was hid from the public, they now want you to think they know what they are doing? Tell them you are tired of them wasting your money and now wanting more, vote no in November.

-- Posted by William Pecord on Wed, Sep 4, 2024, at 12:27 PM
People are conflating too many non-related city issues in these articles.

The concern about the mall renovation is the tenants. They have to get tenants that create a regional draw to bring in more and new money.

Given the silence and secrecy and the fact they cannot even update their own website, I have major concerns that the tenants post renovation will not bring in the desired revenue.

-- Posted by Cape2theFuture on Wed, Sep 4, 2024, at 12:35 PM

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