City council OKs transfer papers for possible police-station site

Southeast Missourian

The conclusion of Monday night’s Cape Girardeau City Council meeting brought the final votes for issues residents and council members alike will continue to discuss well into the future. Unanimous approval was given to an ordinance accepting transfer documents for a facility on Maria Louise Lane, which could become the future home of the police department. The city negotiated an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the city to assume ownership — at no cost — of the facility that served as a Navy Reserve Center until it was transferred to the Army in 2007. It has been vacant since last year. The property consists of 4.85 acres and two structures, a 22,526-square-foot administration/training building and a 96-square-foot storage building. Final council approval means the city can draw up plans for the new station and weigh the cost of renovation or rebuilding. FGM Architects of Illinois has been contracted to evaluate needs and options for the police department’s future home. The evaluation is expected to take several months. An $11 million budget is available for the project.