Missouri Highway 74 - Reconnecting South Cape Neighborhoods

Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge

Serves as the only link between Missouri and Illinois within a radius of 50 miles to the north and 45 miles to the south.

SEMO River Campus

Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) River Campus is located just north of Highway 74 with no trail connection to the residential areas south of the highway.

Riverfront Trail

Cape Girardeau's Riverfront Trail connecting neighborhoods north of downtown to the City's local shops and restaurants. Extending the trail south, past Missouri Highway 74, to a proposed Shawnee Park Trail has been envisioned for enhanced mobility for residents living south of the highway.

Cape Riverfront Market

Located north of Highway 74, Cape Girardeau's exclusive downtown farmer's market provides visitors an assortment of locally grown fruits and vegetables, specialty farm products, freshly baked goods, and handcrafted artisan items. The market also offers accessibility for SNAP/EBT recipients. Each week, the market showcases unique demonstrations and live music, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere. Additionally, a shaded sitting area is available for individuals to relax and socialize.

Historic Downtown Cape Girardeau

Pedestrian friendly streetscapes with local shops and restaurants.

Pedestrian Bridge

Despite the existence of one elevated crosswalk for pedestrians, its design, lack of ADA compliance, and visual condition have discouraged its usage. The structure has an intentional rust finish on its exterior which creates an impression of neglect, decay, and compromised safety.

Residential Neighborhoods

Residential neighborhoods south of highway. Street level view of Sprigg Street facing north toward intersection of Highway 74. The southern region of Cape Girardeau is characterized by established neighborhoods with early 20 ^th  century homes, religious centers, industrial businesses, the Fort D Historic Landmark, and the Shawnee Park Sports Complex.

Shawnee Park Sports Complex

Future expansion of youth league ballfields from eight to thirteen; complete with bleachers, shade canopies, upgraded fencing, additional concessions, and a complex-wide public address system.

New Jefferson Elementary School Aquatic Facility

Recent construction of a public aquatic facility at Jefferson Elementary School through a partnership between the Cape Girardeau Public School District and the City of Cape Girardeau is projected to draw heightened pedestrian and vehicular activity along this thoroughfare.

College Street Extension

City's extension of College Street, which includes the addition of sidewalks and stretches from South West End Boulevard to Minnesota Avenue, has resulted in a notable rise in pedestrian and vehicular activity in the surrounding area, particularly on the south side of Jefferson Elementary School.

Location of City owned parcel for multipurpose soccer/football fields

Future development of multipurpose fields for soccer and football, situated just south of Jefferson Elementary School and adjacent to the northern section of the Highway 74, will further contribute to increased activity and need for pedestrian mobility.

Fort D Historic Landmark

During the summer of 1861, General John Frémont ordered the construction of four forts in Cape Girardeau. German-American engineers designed the forts, and soldiers from the 20th Illinois Infantry, Bissell's Engineers of the West, and local militia, led by Lt. John Wesley Powell, built them. Powell, later known for exploring the Grand Canyon, raised a local company to man the forts, and Battery F served until the Tennessee River campaign and the Battle of Shiloh. Only Fort D remains today as a city historic site, located south of Missouri Rte. 74 and Sprigg Street in Cape Girardeau.

Save a Lot

Census tracts 8814 and 8816, encompassing the southern City limits and located west of I-55 Business Loop, have been designated as Federal Food Deserts. These areas lack convenient access to affordable and nutritious food options. The Save a Lot local grocery store is located approximately 1/2 mile north of Highway 74 and the closest commercial site with fresh produce to those residing south of the highway.

ADA Non-compliant Locations along Highway 74

Addressing ADA compliance is crucial, as highlighted in the ADA Transition Framework Plan for the city based on a comprehensive condition assessment study. The findings from the thorough assessment identified 57 noncompliant locations along the highway corridor, highlighting issues such as sidewalk faults, curb ramps, grade breaks, push buttons, blended transitions, openings, and horizontal protruding objects.

MoDOT Crash Analysis of Highway 74

Listing of vehicular involved incidents including fatal crashes, serious injuries, minor injuries, and property damage along Highway 74. In total, there have been 770 crashes along this Highway 74 stretch of freeway.

South Side Farms

The Saint Francis Foundation has acquired a 16-acre plot of land located at the junction of Missouri Highway 74 and South West End Boulevard, adjacent to the southern section of the highway. Local authorities have granted approval for the development plans of South Side Farms under the flexible zoning classification of Planned Development. This initiative involves the creation of an urban farm, a farmers market, a restaurant, affordable housing, and several other amenities within this designated area.

United Way Transportation Coalition

November 2022 Community Discussions Forum at the Shawnee Park Sports Complex to discuss public transit service and mobility enhancements for nearby residents and the general public hosted by the United Way of Southeast Missouri Transportation Coalition and the Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEMPO).

Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri (CPSEMO)

As a component of this application, the City of Cape Girardeau and CPSEMO have established a Memorandum of Understanding, which delineates a three-year partnership agreement. Under this agreement, the City assumes the lead role, while CPSEMO offers support in community outreach, network resources, and valuable professional expertise within the project area neighborhoods. This collaboration serves to reinforce their shared dedication to the project.

Southeast Health

Cape Girardeau is home to two major healthcare systems. While the resident population is nearly 40,000, the daytime population surges to over 100,000 due to Cape’s status as a regional center for healthcare. Both Southeast Health and Saint Francis Medical Center are located north of Highway 74.

Saint Francis Medical Center

Cape Girardeau is home to two major healthcare systems. While the resident population is nearly 40,000, the daytime population surges to over 100,000 due to Cape’s status as a regional center for healthcare. Both Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Health are located north of Highway 74.