Work on police substation to begin in downtown Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – In a couple of weeks there could be movement and construction to redevelop long neglected pieces of Cape Girardeau’s historic district, developments that include a police substation and much more.

It is known as the Haarig Commercial District, a piece of Cape Girardeau nestled on the southeast side between Pacific Street, William, College and the Mississippi River.

It is a historic area, part of it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, an area long-neglected, but that is about to change.

Leaders with Old Town Cape and the city council explain how they made it happen.

“In general starting in July this summer we are going to start seeing the activity,” said Liz Haynes. “It’s going to be awesome. I’ve seen the plans and it’s going to be really, really awesome. ”

Liz Haynes is the executive director of Old Town Cape. She says developers, Scott Blank and his wife Lisa, will break ground in July with a dream to revitalize the district and make it shine again with businesses, apartments and more. It is a key part of the downtown strategic plan put together by the City of Cape, the chamber, Visit Cape and PORCH initiative.

“Revitalizing the Haarig District was a key part of that — to specifically become an arts district with the River Campus being head of the anchor and then this used to be hub of economic activity for many years for German immigrants in the 19th and 20th century and as the city moved westward a lot of residents and residents did as well and we need to restore it to its former glory,” said Haynes.

A key piece of the project — this building owned by the Blanks at 629 Good Hope — about to be transformed into a police substation and named after Willis A. Martin, an officer killed in the line of duty back in 1921.

“The substation is going to be a huge asset because this will not only help with safety for people who live and work and go to school because we have a school nearby as well,” said Haynes. “But it will also help the police department to be able to connect more with the local community. It will be really nice to have that presence in this area of our community once again.”

She says in light of recent shootings and violence in the area, even in the past week, people in the area are relieved to know a greater police presence will be coming soon.

“I have had a lot of conversations with people and they think this will really help with people feeling safe as people go about their lives in this area,” said Haynes.

She says while the growth the Blanks and city are bringing with the substation and other projects is exciting it’s only the tip of the iceberg with even more building renovations and additional developers contributing to south Cape projects.

“In addition Brennon Todt has acquired some buildings. Behind me the Cleaners’ buildings, and the Pure Ice building. We’ve been working with SEMO students, who are doing a feasibility study on the Pure Ice building to determine the best use for it to compliment the other efforts of what’s already happening here.”

“Next level economic development, economic vitality, things the city really needs right now,” said Tameka Randle, city council representative for the ward where all this work is taking place.

She says it’s a dream come true.

“This part of the community has not had the type of advancement that other parts of our city has and I’m glad we have intentional leaders,” said Randle.

All an investment they say in safety, economics, history and connection in the city of Cape, one that took a team effort across dozens of organizations in the city.

“Unity, – we have all different sectors private and public working together to unify to make this city a better place to live, work and play,” said Randle.

“It will create jobs,” said Haynes. “It will increase property values and there’s just so many benefits to revitalizing this area.”

Work is expected to begin in July.