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The Four-Point Approach
Board of Directors

Old Town Cape, Inc. is a 2008 Accredited National Main Street Program.
 About Us

Old Town Cape, Inc.  is an official Main Street Program certified by the Main Street Program of the National Trust. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, headquartered in Washington D.C. provides training and technical support for revitalization efforts and guidelines for the certified Main Street Programs in all 50 states.

 

Certification by the National Trust is a strenuous process which requires following all the Main Street criteria, having a full-time staff person responsible for directing the program, a Board of Directors who actively participate in the program, participation in Main Street training for staff and Board members at least twice annually, following the Four Point Approach for Revitalization, maintaining an adequate budget to facilitate all the operations of the organization, and maintaining an office in the historic district.

 

The National Main Street philosophy emphasizes an incremental, long-term approach to revitalization based on historic preservation and utilizing a community’s unique elements. It is a comprehensive process that builds on the total image of the historic commercial district.

Old Town Cape, Inc. is a certified Missouri Main Street Community.

Our Vision and Mission

Vision Statement

Old Town Cape strives to become a community that

cherishes its past and is an economically viable district

for the citizens of Cape Girardeau

to live, work, and play.

 

Mission Statement

Old Town Cape preserves the historical integrity of

Cape Girardeau and promotes economic development using

the Main Street Four Point Approach.

 Our Commitment to the Old Town Cape District

o    We are an economic development organization. Over 66 million dollars was reinvested in the Old Town Cape District during 2007.

o    We work on economic development through historic preservation, encouraging current and potential property and business owners to preserve our unique history and heritage.  Lang Jewelers and the William Henry Harrison House are good examples!

o    We work to bring new business to the District by encouraging and assisting potential business and property owners.  A net gain of 23 new businesses and 109.5 net new jobs were created or relocated to the District during 2007.

o    We work to improve the physical environment of downtown, finding ways and money to streetscape, adding more historical lighting, benches, trash cans, landscaping, banners and Christmas decorations.   In addition, Old Town Cape spends over $6,000 each year for downtown clean up.

o    We promote downtown in general through media and other outlets such as a billboard, website and more!

o    We work to locate grant and partnership opportunities that would benefit the District.  The recent White House designation of the City of Cape Girardeau  as  a Preserve America Community allows for additional funding for district projects.  DREAM is a partnership between Old Town Cape, the Chamber and the City of Cape Girardeau. 

 

The City of Cape Girardeau is a White House designated  Preserve America Community.
 Why Revitalize?

Downtowns, or traditional commercial districts, are the most visible indicator of community pride, along with the social and economic health of the community.  Downtowns are either an asset or a liability in the effort to recruit new businesses and industries, new residents, retirees, tourists and others to your community.

Quality of life is what separates successful cities and towns from declining communities.  Downtowns are the visual representation of a community’s heritage.  The architecture of a commercial district is an expression of a community’s history.  The commercial district is a reflection of community’s image, prosperity and level of investment.

The Main Street Approach encourages forward-thinking economic development in the context of historic preservation so that a community’s heritage can be passed on to future generations.  The Main Street Approach is compatible with the “smart growth” concept which takes existing buildings to the level of their highest and best use.  For a building that has outlived its usefulness, that could mean adapting it to a new purpose.  Smart growth also utilizes land having an existing infrastructure, thereby reducing urban sprawl and making the best use of already developed land.

Preservation-based revitalization requires the participation of many people and entities within the community. At the same time, a wide range of people benefit.  Even the smallest commercial district employs hundreds of people, and often the district is collectively the community’s largest employer.

Main Street didn’t deteriorate overnight, and it won’t be revitalized quickly either.  Using the Main Street Approach is hard work, but it can substantially improve the health of a commercial district by giving a community an effective framework for revitalization efforts.

 
 Old Town Cape Scholarship

The Old Town Cape Scholarship Garden's $10,000 goal has ripened to maturity this year, after eight years of tending the produce and marketing it in the downtown area. An endowment that will allow the award of a scholarship in 2008 and for many years to come.  

More Information on how to apply for the scholarship may be found here.
 Our Partners in Revitalization

City of Cape Girardeau

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce

Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau
 
 
 Old Town Cape, Inc.
 418 Broadway
 Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
 (573) 334-8085
 (573) 334-8230 (fax)
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email info@oldtowncape.org