SEMPO hosts open house to gather public input

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEMPO) held a public open house today in Cape Girardeau.

This in an effort of seeking community feedback to help shape its long term transportation plan through the year 2050.

This meeting marked the first step in updating SEMPO’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the 2050 project.

“Everybody has a consistent idea of how we want to provide transportation to this part of the state,” said Shawn Leight, vice president at CBB Transportation Engineers + Planners. “This is really a listening session for us.”

SEMPO’s planning process involves everything from roadways to freight, air travel and rail way travel.

The heart of the plan is improving mobility and accessibility for all forms of travel for visitors and residents, especially for people without access to a car.

“You can fly into the airport, but how do you get where you need to go after that?” Leight said. “If you live here without a car, how do you get groceries, or get a haircut? Those are the types of questions we’re asking.”

Transportation projects typically take decades to complete, which is why SEMPO’s plan looks 25 years into the future. Public input is critical at this stage to identify current challenges and long term community goals.

“We’re talking with the airport, rail providers, and just about everyone involved,” Leight said. “At the end of the day, all this stuff fits together.”

For those unable to attend today’s open house, SEMPO will host another open house tomorrow night at the Jackson Civic Center.