Q&A: Scott Meyer talks about Cape Girardeau's Broadway project

Scott Meyer graduated from the Missouri University of Science and Technology with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. He became the engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation in 1996 and was responsible for overseeing the operations of its 14 counties in the southeast district. He began working at Southeast Missouri State University as facilities director in 2005, and over the next four years he helped plan and develop the River Campus, the Aquatic Center in the Student Recreation Center-North and several other projects on campus. For the last two and a half years, Meyer has served as Cape Girardeau's city manager, where he administers city departments that operate policies set by the City Council. Cape Girardeau's Broadway project calls for a new streetscape, which includes repairing the road, widening the sidewalk and fixing gutter issues. The project has been delayed due to business owners' concern with the lack of parking that will result. The City Council met to discuss the issue again on Feb. 6. Also, Old Town Cape is working on plans to put a new farmers market in downtown Cape Girardeau, that it hopes will drive up local revenue and community togetherness.

Q: What is the ultimate goal of the Broadway project?

A: I think the goal of the Broadway project is to enhance the roadways. As part of this project we also want to enhance the downtown experience for visitors and everyone that lives in the area. It's important to make walking better where people can enjoy going to multiple places along the downtown strip.

Q:Is there a plan to make more room in downtown Cape Girardeau?

A: The Broadway project is going to rebuild the existing roads and sidewalk replacements. We don't want to change the road surface but repair it. And we also want to change the feel of the city and the place. We had a couple options of beautification of street lighting, benches and trees.

Q:Were there any options for the parking situation downtown?

A: For option one, we were thinking to put parking on the north side of Broadway in order to bring the sidewalk further. We would like to have outdoor sidewalk dining. This would encourage more walking movement along Broadway. For option two, we could leave parking in place. Some folks in Cape Girardeau have expressed that they do not want to lose the parking so they're still looking at solutions and will share that with the City Council on Feb. 6.

Q:Were you one of the individuals who proposed an open-air market near the Cape Girardeau riverfront?

A: It was a genesis of a few people that have seen air markets in the downtown area. They thought that might be something worth moving the one they had. Old Town Cape brought in a consultant from the Department of Conservation that conducted the meeting, and they're starting to explore it.

Downtown Cape Girardeau is home to many small businesses. The farmers market hopes to work alongside these businesses to benefit one another. - Photo by Bradley Conway

Q: Who should students contact if they want to help with the farmers market?

A: I think it's great and important to have students involved. Marla Mills is the executive director of Old Town Cape and she would be a great person to contact as far as this process.

Q:Do you think the open air market will benefit local businesses?

A: The idea is to help benefit each other instead of it being a single roadside stand of tomatoes. You can buy more products that are homemade and you can enhance those businesses depending on its proximity.

Q: Where exactly is the new farmers market supposed to be?

A: That is a question we have yet to answer. It's a part of the process right now. Currently, the farmers market is by the old galleria, across from the Southeast fitness center. There is also a farmers market held at Capaha Park.

Q:Do you think a farmers market will attract more students and families?

A: We definitely want to attract a larger crowd that's diverse, and we want families to make it there. I would like to see students engage in every part of it as well. A lot of younger people are interested in healthy eating and sustainability. That being said, we aren't targeting a specific audience. This is about experiencing the crafts, art and live music, besides buying vegetables. Vendors and restaurant workers will be there, too. Drawing a wide range of people from all different origins would great.

Q:Is there anything else you would like to add?

A: We really do want a new downtown experience, a better Broadway and a farmers outdoor air market. Students are a vital part in our community, and if we can get more options for students to have things they want that allows us to eat and shop, then we would like that. The more we can do to enhance downtown Cape Girardeau the better it is