Preserving Cape’s historic structures

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The City of Cape Girardeau is a part of the Certified Local Government (CLG) and has been since 1991.

The CLG has a goal to promote preserving initiatives between federal partners and state and local governments.

“They’re not guaranteed to last forever, and we’ve seen over the years several historic buildings and structures that have been lost; maybe demolition by the owner or what we call demolition by neglect where the owner just defers maintenance,” said Cape City Planner Ryan Shrimplin.

CLG communities are required to maintain a system for survey and inventory of historic properties.

Cape partners with Southeast Missouri State University for the historic survey.

Added Shrimplin: “Estimated construction date, the architectural style, information about the construction materials used on the building …  they’re also required to provide a map and site plan and a photo of the building taking, obviously, from the off-the-property and in the public street and then there’s also fields.”

As for the local citizens, they are fortunate to be surrounded by a plethora of historic landmarks.

“… Blessed to have a large number of historic properties. As I mentioned, we have lost several over the years but we still have a very large and very nice collection of historic properties, and we have seen several of them preserved over the years, which is I think is a a win for the community,” Shrimplin said.