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Old Posted Apr 23, 2024, 9:55 PM
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SP Plus Corporation to Manage New On-Street Parking System for the City of Jackson, Mississippi

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CHICAGO, April 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SP+® Corporation (SP+), (Nasdaq: SP) a best-in-class technology and operations management provider of mobility services for aviation, commercial, hospitality, and institutional clients throughout North America and Europe, today announces its strategic partnership with the City of Jackson, Mississippi, to modernize and enhance the efficiency of on-street parking with a completely new and innovative system.

Available this spring, on-street parking customers will be able to pay for parking using new kiosks located throughout the city, in addition to other payment methods, including text-to-pay with their phone, or via the parking.com app. SP+ Corporation will also assist the city with parking enforcement activities. These efforts will be streamlined by providing vehicles equipped with License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology to enforce expired meter parking and time-limited parking. SP+ will also provide Parking Ambassadors to assist in educating the public on how to use the new parking system, as well as to answer any questions.

SP+ and the City of Jackson collectively developed a customized program geared towards public safety and to support downtown commerce. The new system will allow for parking space turnover and availability, providing convenience and accessibility to everyone visiting the city.

“We are excited to announce the upgrade of our parking meter system in downtown Jackson,” said Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Mayor, City of Jackson. “This modernized system will result in greater parking space availability and convenience for residents and visitors to Jackson. We look forward to this rollout and informing residents of the details.”

"We're extremely thrilled to support the City of Jackson and bring this project to life,” said Jason Spoeth, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, SP+ Corporation. “We see this as part of a bigger picture - the continued revitalization of downtown (Jackson). We are providing the technology so residents and visitors will have flexible options in how they pay for parking."

The City of Jackson is the capital of Mississippi, and the most populous city in the state, with upwards of 430,000 residents.
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/sp...123000567.html
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StateStreet Group takes over managing Walthall Lofts and The Courthouse in Jackson

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Approximately four years ago, Jackson native and property owner Amit Goel gave a tour of The Walthall Lofts and The Courthouse apartment communities to Frank Buchanan of the StateStreet Group.

Buchanan, vice president of Property Management of StateStreet Group, who was impressed with the views and the layout of the properties, told Goel at the time that if the need for a new management group ever surface to give him a call.

A couple of months ago, Goel, a St. Andrew's Episcopal School graduate who now lives in Houston, Texas, reached back out to Buchanan.

On Tuesday, StateStreet Group announced it has taken over the management of The Walthall Lofts and The Courthouse in the heart of Downtown Jackson.

StateStreet Group has developed or manages many properties in the Jackson area, including The Meridian apartment building as well as the Quarter House along Lakeland Drive in East Jackson.

The Walthall Lofts were redeveloped in 2020 into luxury apartments with amenities. Located at 225 East Capitol St., the eight-floor, 154-unit building has studio, loft and one bedroom options, in addition to pool, fitness and parking amenities.

The Courthouse, a historic building located next door to the Walthall Lofts, was first constructed in 1933 and served as the U.S. District Court building. The iconic Art Deco building has been renovated, and residents can choose one of 15 different floor plans in this building.

“We are thrilled to bring SSG’s exceptional management approach to these downtown properties," said Justin Peterson, president of StateStreet Group in a statement. "This partnership is in perfect alignment with our strategic goals for growth, excellence in service, and contributing to our community.”

Buchanan said Goel wants to use StateStreet Group's expertise to get more people living in The Walthall Lofts and The Courthouse and in the downtown area.

"You kind of have to see it to believe it when you are talking about those two properties," Buchanan told the Clarion Ledger. "Some of the views with the big windows are really amazing. I kept thinking when I toured it that if I were a young professional again, I would want to live here."

Buchanan said SSG hopes to use its connections through its other properties to be able to lure people downtown and fill the rest of the units that are not filled. He said he doesn't have exact numbers but that he estimates the two buildings are about 60% occupied at the moment.

"I think they thought that we would take great pride in managing this property and want to see the downtown area thrive," said Buchanan, whose StateStreet Group offices are just a couple of blocks away from The Walthall and Courthouse. "It's really a special opportunity."

He also said that he envisions more for the property on the ground floor.

"I can see maybe a restaurant group or coffee shop or even a small market type of place for that first floor," Buchanan said. "If both of those buildings are full that's a market of 250 to 300 people that can be served at any point and time, and with the growing number of people living in downtown Jackson, it just seems like a natural."

This good news for the downtown area comes on the heels of the announcement of the Pinnacle Building getting new ownership and a new management team, hoping to improve its 30% occupancy rate. The 192,000-square-foot, nine-story Class A office tower was previously owned by Hertz Investment Group. The lenders working with Hertz have now assumed ownership.
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/...t/73425627007/
Pearl and Richland residents rejoice: South Pearson Road Bridge now open

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PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) - If you live in Pearl or Richland, your drive to get across the two cities is no longer going to involve the possibility of a train slowing you down.

Monday afternoon, city leaders, as well as Mississippi Department of Transportation officials, unveiled a four-lane bridge that’s been described by many as “much needed.”

The $14 million bridge now takes drivers over the railroad tracks on South Pearson Road in Pearl and completely eliminates the chance for a train to stop you for several minutes.

“In order to better serve the community, we built this kind of bridge that connects the community while continuing to have the rail lines move through the city,” said Willie Simmons, Commissioner of MDOT.

Ground officially broke on the project back in 2017, but due to funding issues and construction limitations with the railroad below, construction didn’t officially begin until 2022.

The bridge now connects South Pearson Road and Highway 468, as well as several other roads as you head south towards Richland.

Since there aren’t many north-south corridors that flow from Pearl to Richland, Simmons believes the bridge will only speed up everyone’s day-to-day life in the area.

“So, if you are trying to get to work, whether you’re going to work in Jackson, or somewhere in Rankin County, or get your kid to a school, you’re more than likely to be held up by a train that’s coming through,” he said.

Mayor of Pearl, Jake Windham, says the project’s completion doesn’t mean there aren’t future plans for the surrounding area.

He says Phase 2 is designed to “mitigate roughly 1,000 acres of property and tie it into Highway 49.”

Highway 49 runs through Richland and ends near the Outlets of Mississippi shopping center in Pearl.

“For me personally, I would like to see like a certified industrial sight...and I would like to see that happen,” said Mayor Windham. “I’m not saying it’s happening, but that’s kind of what I’d like to see happen, and I could get behind.”
Mayor Windham says Phase 2 is already receiving funding, but any details about when or where the project will take place are yet to be revealed.
https://www.wlbt.com/2024/04/23/pear...idge-now-open/
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Economic Development Administration invests $2.1 million to support manufacturing and job growth in Coahoma County

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The Coahoma County Board of Supervisors has been granted $2.1 million by the federal government to support future economic development in the region.


U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Tuesday announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding the funds for roadway and water infrastructure improvements to support manufacturing and job growth.

This grant will enhance the local boat manufacturing sector, creating jobs and opportunities in the area. The EDA’s investment will be matched with $2.5 million in state and local funds and is expected to create 56 jobs and generate $8.3 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“This grant highlights the power of collaborative partnerships and shows our joint commitment to improving infrastructure and creating jobs in Clarksdale and the broader Mississippi Delta region,” Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said. “Making real progress that offers valuable opportunities for our constituents is deeply satisfying, driving us towards building stronger, more successful communities.”

The project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the North Delta Planning and Development District. EDA funds NDPDD to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs for those in the region.

This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022.
https://www.supertalk.fm/eda-invests...oahoma-county/
COUNCIL APPROVES SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR GENERAL SPORTS BAR AND RESTAURANT IN BANNER HALL

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Jackson City Council members voiced concerns about a new restaurant/sports bar that wants to open in Banner Hall in Jackson but approved a use permit for the business on April 15.

The council approved granting Bradley Adair a conditional use permit for Suite 102B at 4465 I-55 North. The permit would allow for a general restaurant within a neighborhood shopping center within a C-2 (Limited) Commercial District and would have to be renewed annually.

The council held off on granting Brandi Carter a conditional use permit for a liquor store that would specialize in high-end, organic wines that she wants to open in Banner Hall.

The restaurant/sports bar named Rex’s Good Times would be located in some of the space formerly occupied by the Bridal Path on the first floor at the front of the building.

Doug Price, a commercial real estate broker and tenant in Banner Hall, said he has the task of leasing the space formerly occupied by the bridal shop.

Mag Ballew 240401

“We had a hard time finding tenants,” he said, explaining that it is a challenge because the former bridal shop space is about 4,400 square feet, has zero windows other than at the front and lacks visibility and natural light.

The plan was to divide the space into three separate spaces with each having its own entrance, he said. The liquor store would occupy about 1,100 square feet at the front of the building: Rex’s Good Time, the middle space; and an event venue, the rest of the space.

Rex’s Good Time would occupy about 1,400 square feet, serve “pizza, salad, basic bar food” and be open Tuesday through Saturday until 10 p.m. and perhaps later for big games, Price said.

St. Richard Catholic Church leaders initially opposed Rex’s Good Time, but Price said he met with them and they have withdrawn their opposition.

Virgi Lindsay, who represents Ward 7 on the council and is a St. Richard Catholic Church congregant, said she has not received any phone calls about the restaurant.



“I have a feeling if our priest did not like it, then I would know,” she said. “I have not gotten a single phone call. I feel pretty good about it.”

Price said the owners of Banner Hall believe in the city of Jackson and Banner Hall, which is a place where many people gather and do business daily and have carefully considered the types of businesses they want to locate there.

Kenny Stokes, who represents Ward 3, brought up the topic of how the I-55 Noth corridor needs to be shored up because there are numerous vacant buildings and there are homeless people on the streets.

Banner Hall already has security on site for 12 hours a day and spends about six-figures on security, he said, and would likely increase it after the new business opens, Price said.

Stokes urged leaders to carefully consider the implications of their actions when it came to the restaurant.

Branning Wealth 240419

“Would this hurt the area or help the area?” he said. “That’s what I’m concerned about.”

Stokes said what is needed is “something that’s going to lift up that area, not run it down.”

Vernon Hartley, who represents Ward 5 on the council, asked if there was a concentration of liquor stores in the area near Banner Hall, and the zoning administrator said there was not.

The council did not approve the use permit for the liquor store after Ashby Foote, who represents Ward 1, said he would like time to meet with Banner Hall business owners and leaders at St. Richard Catholic Church.

Price said the liquor store would not be one with a neon sign and it would sell high-end organic wine that one would savor with family and friends.
https://www.northsidesun.com/local-c...&e_sort_order=
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  #522  
Old Posted Apr 24, 2024, 10:31 AM
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The Sipp FM Radio (Jackson State University's community urban radio station) celebrated the launch of their new Mobile App


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TheSipp.FM | The Sipp FM Radio
@thesippfm
WE ARE THE http://SIPP.FM ❤️💙 Teamwork makes the dream work. Shoutout to our team for all their hard work in planning our mobile app launch event! 🎉

📸 Credit:
@jacksonstateu
2:27 PM · Apr 19, 2024
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https://twitter.com/thesippfm/status...953001/photo/1
You can download and stream it now on Apple and Google Play Store. Here are the links.
https://apps.apple.com/in/app/the-sipp-fm/id6450187698
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...hl=en_US&gl=US
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  #523  
Old Posted Apr 24, 2024, 10:41 AM
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Here is a rendering of the LeFleur’s Bluff Education & Tourism Complex




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WBA Architecture
@wbaarchitecture
WBA is honored to be a part of the expansion of the LeFleur’s Bluff Education & Tourism Complex in Jackson, Mississippi. We are proud of our design team for their hard work in helping bring this project to life!
11:13 AM · Apr 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/wbaarchitecture/...49816578035715
The Yards at Columbia Complete Project


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WBA Architecture
@wbaarchitecture
#ParkandRecMonth Project Highlight: The Yards at Columbia are comprised of new baseball and softball fields, as well as a central plaza providing space for concessions, restrooms, and much-needed shade for families on game day. #OurCommunityGrows #parksandrec
https://twitter.com/wbaarchitecture/...02157113270272
The Culinary Arts Center at Mississippi University for Women Completed Project




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JBHM Architecture
@JBHMArchitects
The Culinary Arts students at Mississippi University for Women are about to get a special treat. This new facility is beautiful inside and out. #culinaryart #muwomen #jbhmarchitecture
3:41 PM · Aug 14, 2023
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https://twitter.com/JBHMArchitects/s...88398059630592
Baseball Facilities at Madison Central High School Complete Project



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WBA Architecture
@wbaarchitecture
Looking back on our project working on the baseball facilities at Madison Central High School has already got us looking forward to next Spring and a new season of ball! #wbaarchitecture
5:42 PM · Nov 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/wbaarchitecture/...80747183345670
Dudy Noble Field/Polk Dement Stadium Left Field Lofts Completed Project


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WBA Architecture
@wbaarchitecture
At the reinvented Dudy Noble Field/Polk Dement Stadium, the Left Field Lofts overlook Mississippi State University’s historic Left Field Lounge. Each apartment-style loft offers 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an open concept kitchen and living space, and a patio deck. #wbaarchitecture
10:46 AM · Jan 27, 2021
https://twitter.com/wbaarchitecture/...70749931757569
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  #524  
Old Posted Apr 24, 2024, 11:16 AM
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Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership celebrates grand opening of Merchants & Planters Bank











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Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership
April 18 at 11:08 AM ·
Congratulations to Merchants &Planters Bank on the location of their new location in the Meadowbrook Office Park, 4266 I-55 North, Suite 102, Jackson. The Merchants and Planters Bank of Raymond was chartered on January 27, 1906, and was developed by local businessmen with an interest in seeing that the community of Raymond should be served with a locally owned and operated bank. M&P Bank expanded in 1979, in an attempt to better meet the needs of their customers, and have continued to expand since that time. The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership appreciates your investment in our chamber and the metro community, and wishes you success as you continue to grow and meet the needs of your customers in our community.
https://www.facebook.com/GreaterJack...HWR6ZeEYtk1kGl
Pearl Chamber of Commerce spotlights business in the community C&B CBD Dispensary on March 20th














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Pearl Chamber of Commerce
April 20 at 10:47 AM ·
C&B CBD Dispensary is celebrating 4/20 with lots of specials, new items and expert advice on every product. Go by and see the friendly staff today!
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p...00064817136120
Clinton Chamber of Commerce welcomes Jamie’s Diner and Sports Bar










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Clinton Chamber of Commerce
13h ·
We had such a great time at our Ribbon Cutting for Jamie’s this morning! Check out their new location, you won’t be disappointed!
https://www.facebook.com/ClintonCham...YvukPBX3XoVeGl
Clinton Chamber of Commerce spotlights business in the community General Pump & Equipment Co.

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Clinton Chamber of Commerce
5d
·
Today's Chamber Business of the Day is General Pump & Equipment Co., located at 481 Clinton Blvd. General Pump & Equipment is a family owned and operated business, founded in 1978. They are a manufactuer's representative for the municipal industry in water & wastewater markets in Mississippi. Learn more at www.generalpumpandequipment.com!
https://www.facebook.com/ClintonCham...WkKwNouFPWt8Kl
Pearl Chamber of Commerce attended the press conference for Pearl-Richland Intermodal Connector Bridge on Monday







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Pearl Chamber of Commerce
1d
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The long awaited opening of the Pearl-Richland Intermodal Connector Bridge took place today on Monday, April 22. The bridge goes over the railway and relieves the anguish of Pearl and Richland traffic being held up by the train on South Pearson Road.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p...00064817136120
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Old Posted Apr 24, 2024, 11:47 AM
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A new minor league team could be on the way to Pearl following the MBraves departure

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PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) - Tonight, the Mississippi Braves take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in what marks the team’s second home series of the season, and in less than five months, the MBraves will play their last game ever inside Trustmark Park.

Many of you will be happy to hear that the goal of Pearl’s mayor and some state lawmakers is to try and bring another team to the ballpark.

In January, Pearl Mayor Jake Windham announced the MBraves would head for Columbus, Georgia following the 2024 season.

A few months later, Windham says Spectrum Capital - the company that owns the park - is working to fill the void that will exist once the MBraves leave town.

“They’ve been really aggressive and proactive in trying to backfill,” Windham said. “There are a couple of concepts that they have on the hook, and I think that everything is moving in the right direction.”

Mayor Windham says he’s confident Spectrum will recruit a new minor league team to the park.

He also says the city of Pearl and Rankin County pushed for legislation that authorizes them to contribute one-and-a-half million dollars annually to the facility.

That’s double what the city and county currently contribute each year.

The bill’s author, Representative Gene Newman, could not say for certain why the city and county need the state’s authorization to contribute their own money to the park, but he believes it’s because it involves public money going to a private entity.

“Both of them agreed to do it, but they can’t do it without authorization from the state,” he said. “This is just an incentive to help develop a team.”

What that money will be used for - if at all - is unclear, but the idea is to have the means to incentivize a team to make Trustmark Park their new home.

“When you start talking about trying to incentivize a situation like that, you really don’t know. It might be park projects, it might be a lease, it might be a parking lot,” Mayor Windham said. “We will have the ability through state law to try to help.”

Representative Fred Shanks, who represents Rankin County, also says he’s confident that the MBraves won’t be the last team to play ball inside Trustmark Park.

“I certainly think that another team will pick it up. I’ve heard some rumblings of a local league starting up. One of them is the Legacy League, which would be kind of a wooden bat, college-aged league in the summer,” Shanks said. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to be used because it is still a very nice stadium. It’s not very old as far as stadiums go. I definitely think you’re going to still see some baseball in it and soon too.”

Similar legislation was filed last session before the MBraves had announced their departure.

The motivation at the time was to incentivize the team to stay in Pearl, but now, the intention is to help bring a new team to the city.
https://www.wlbt.com/2024/04/22/new-...ves-departure/
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Old Posted Apr 24, 2024, 6:51 PM
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Jackson MS Regions Plaza occupancy rates on the rise

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Business migration out of Downtown Jackson has been well documented over the last decade.

That trend was highlighted last week when the managers of the Pinnacle Building announced that the 16-year-old structure was only 30% occupied as it tries to bounce back from a host of law firms leaving for the suburbs.

However, Regions Plaza in downtown, the tallest building between Shreveport and Birmingham along the I-20 corridor, is experiencing a surge of sorts, and ownership is bullish on the future of the building.

While leaders of the ownership team with Hertz Investment Group are working to increase occupancy of the historic, 22-floor, 350,000 square foot building, they note that occupancy is at its highest point in 10 years at 65%.

In 2018, Regions Plaza was down to just 56% occupancy. But since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, business has made a comeback.

Some of its biggest tenants include Foreman, Watkins Krutz law firm, Gibbs Travis law firm, the Mississippi Center for Justice as well as the billing department for Baptist Healthcare.

Foreman, Watkins, Krutz actually takes up about three complete floors of the building recently extended its lease until 2027.


"Business is good. Actually, we just leased the entire 17th floor to the (Mississippi) Attorney General's office," said Sam Cox of Pinpoint Realty. "When that is complete, that will take the occupancy rate to 69%. So, we feel like we are headed the right direction."

The attorney general's office struck a deal for an emergency lease for 8,300 square feet on the third floor after flooding from a leak in the Sillers Building forced them out. Now, the A.G.'s office will be moving to the 17th floor and occupying 15,000 square feet on a lease for 10 years.

"People might think that a lot of these private law firms are leaving downtown for the suburbs, and some people do, and that is a national trend," Cox said. "But government has been a reliable tenant for us to rely on recently. But the proof is in the pudding. The occupancy rate is higher than it has been in the last decade."

Cox said that the highest occupancy rate the building ever had was likely around 90% around 2009, although he didn't have specific numbers.

The biggest place building officials would like to see improvement is on the retail side on the ground floor. Chick-fil-A and Subway have been a staple for years, but many others left during COVID and never came back. The florist, which had been in the building for many years, recently left after a death in the family.

Both Pinpoint Realty and Hertz Investment Group said that while there was a lot of anxiety among tenants during the multiple crises of the last two years in Jackson, much of that has been smoothed over.

Another tenant is Capitol Police. While Capitol Police is building its own headquarters, it has assured Regions officials it will continue to have a presence there. Hertz gave Capital Police a free one-year lease in the interim.

"We feel like it was one of the best investments we ever made," said Ann Fry, Hertz property manager of Regions Plaza. "They come and go, 24-7. It makes everyone in the downtown area feel safer."

Cox echoed Fry's sentiments and said that tenants in the building feel safer.

"The feedback we have gotten is that the amount of vagrants in the area are less, and the tenants feel safer," Cox said. "I think (Capitol Police) presence is kind of a ripple effect, the more they are around, the more people are willing to be downtown and everywhere they service in the Jackson area."

Both Cox and Fry said that while they are comfortable with the downtown setting and have positive news to tell both from a occupancy standpoint and a safety standpoint, they do understand there is still a stigma associated with downtown.

"There is only so much you can do about people's perceptions," Cox said. "People always want to bring up crime and water, which is low hanging fruit and a lack of restaurants."

Fry said the lack of restaurants is a real issue that needs to dealt with, but that she is confident with other issues, like the water, which had been in the news the last several years.

"The big law firms tell us that their young partners wish there were more amenities, like restaurants, which we are always trying to attract," Fry said. "But let me say this, water was a huge issue, but I think Ted Henifin and his crew have done a great job."

She went on to say that Hertz has installed a new domestic water pump that can get water to the top of Regions Plaza as long as city water has baseline pressure.

"When the water goes down, we can't cool, we can't flush toilets, we can't do anything," she said. "It's huge for us, but we don't hear those concerns anymore. Both water and crime have been put on the sidelines, honestly."


https://www.clarionledger.com/story/...i/73436868007/
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Old Posted Apr 24, 2024, 7:05 PM
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The City of Jackson, Mississippi Partners With Operation Hope To Help Create One Million New Black Businesses by 2030

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1MBB initiative continues to expand nationwide support
Atlanta, GA – (July 25, 2022) – Operation HOPE announced a groundbreaking partnership with the city of Jackson, Mississippi to expand its One Million Black Business Initiative (1MBB), which aims to create one million Black entrepreneurs and business owners by 2030. As part of the city’s ongoing efforts to spur economic development, Jackson’s Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE’s Chairman, Founder and CEO signed a formal agreement, signifying the city’s commitment to transforming economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses.

Through 1MBB, the city of Jackson will offer 500 aspiring Black entrepreneurs free access to resources needed to successfully build, sustain and scale their business endeavors over the next two years. Launched in October 2020 with the support of founding partner Shopify, 1MBB aims to remove traditional hurdles to Black entrepreneurship by providing the critical tools for success such as technology, education, and increased access capital. The movement is part of Operation HOPE’s broader mission to promote financial inclusion and dignity, aimed at empowering the underserved of America.

“The state of Mississippi is largely known as a battleground during the height of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Today, we’re shifting the tides and ensuring that her next generation benefits from what I call “silver rights.” That means planting seeds of hope through entrepreneurship,” said Operation HOPE founder, chairman and CEO, John Hope Bryant. “I applaud Mayor Lumumba for joining our 1MBB mission and leading the charge to make free enterprise and capitalism work for all.”

The partnership with Operation HOPE is a natural extension of the administration’s commitment to building Black businesses in the greater Jackson community. Powered by Trustmark and Cadence Bank, 1MBB will be an integral part of the city’s annual Jackson Minority Business Expo, highlighting black business enterprises and patronage on Saturday, August 20, 2022.

To learn more about 1MBB, visit HOPE1mbb.org.
https://saportareport.com/the-city-o...ial-inclusion/
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Old Posted Apr 25, 2024, 6:31 PM
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$15.5 million project underway to upgrade Central Mississippi’s interstate lighting system

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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The number of interstate lights that are out due to copper wire theft in the Jackson metro has been the subject of two 3 On Your Side investigations.

Wednesday, a Mississippi Department of Transportation official provided an update on MDOT’s efforts to light up our interstates.

In January, we told you that MDOT had awarded a contract to Garver Engineering, a firm that’s currently assessing and evaluating Central Mississippi’s interstate lighting system.

Part of the firm’s project includes putting nearly $8,000,000 toward items that will make it harder for thieves to steal copper wire.

“This is a permanent repair, so it’s not a Band-Aid or anything like that,” MDOT Public Information Officer Michael Flood said.

Flood says MDOT’s leadership decided years ago that it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars to continuously repair lights that had been stripped of their copper wire because it would likely only be a matter of time before thieves struck again.

But now, Flood says he’s happy to report that progress is being made.

“In recent years, we haven’t had that good of an update. We have kind of been at a loss, so it’s nice to be at this point where we are moving forward,” he said. “We do have a contract in place to not only upgrade to LED lights but also have preventative measures in place to prevent copper theft and keep our interstates lit up. "
Some of those preventative measures include a monitoring system where MDOT is alerted if a segment of lights goes out, allowing crews to respond immediately.

Part of the project with Garver Engineering also includes doing away with bridge mounts and restricting access to wires by burying conduits underground and not having any junction boxes that are accessible from the surface level.

“We have a plan in place. It’s going to be a process. We just ask everyone to bear with us and give us some patience and time to allow us to make those repairs.”

The process is expected to last for a number of months.

Flood says he’s hopeful the firm will get to the design phase of the project toward the end of the year and then the implementation phase would follow shortly afterwards.

When asked why a project like this was not started years ago, Flood said processes like this take a lot of time - especially when the Federal Highway Administration has to be involved.

In the meantime, MDOT has been making repairs to interstate lights that were out due to the need for routine maintenance - not copper wire theft.

That includes the lights along I-55 at Meadowbrook Road and Eastover Drive, which are now working again.
https://www.wlbt.com/2024/04/24/155-...ghting-system/
Twenty years and $9 million after The Dock closed, what's next at The Reservoir?

A rendering of the hotel that was to be part of the Harbor Walk development at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. A nine-story hotel, owned and operated by Hotel Valencia of Houston, a 4.5-star operation, was to be located on the South end of the property, closest to the intersection of Spillway Road and Harbor Drive.
Quote:
It's been 20 years since The Dock closed on Ross Barnett Reservoir.

It was a place where you could dance to live music and party until dawn. It was a place where you could stop by and have a beer and a burger on a Saturday afternoon. It was a place where friends could meet for drinks and watch the sun go down. It was one of the Jackson area's most popular hangouts.

The lease was bought out from under them and there was the promise of a high-end development, that included shopping and a resort hotel. The development, called the Harbor Walk, was billed to be the jewel of the Jackson area.

Phase I of the multi-phased development was expected to create about 456,000 square feet of retail, office and living space along Harbor Drive on the west side of the marina, all facing the water. At least four restaurants were to be included.

There was to be between 120 and 130 condominiums envisioned for the first phase. Housed in two six-story buildings, each would average about 2,000 square feet. Another building would hold 75,000 square feet of office space. A fourth building would include additional office or condo and retail space, depending on demand in the marketplace. The first phase was expected to cost $50 million to $60 million.

But 20 years later, virtually nothing has been done.

However, John Sigman, the reservoir general manager says he believes there is still reason to believe the project will come to fruition in some form or fashion.
The lease holder is George Bishop, an oil and gas billionaire from Texas. He is being represented by Michael Stuart of MissArk Real Estate Advisors and Main Harbor Development LLC.

Sigman says there are plenty of reasons for Bishop and Main Harbor Development LLC to make good on their original promises.

"I think it is going to go through eventually. I don't know when and I don't know what their timing is," Sigman said. "But they pay us about $600,000 a year on that lease and I don't see them continuing that without some vision of a return on that investment."


Harbor Walk was to be a part of the Harbor Walk LLC development, a $600 million proposed development along Harbor Drive on the shoreline the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

Sigman said that is the amount Main Harbor Development has been paying for nearly 15 years and what they will pay until the lease runs its course, which is for a total of 60 years.

"The Harbor Walk people bought the lease and that is the reason The Dock closed," he said. "Then they renewed the lease at ($600,000 a year) and that has been in effect for about 15 years."

Sigman's optimism seems to be agreed with for Stuart of MissArk Real Estate Advisors and Main Harbor Development LLC.

"While the project sat dormant for a period of time due to various reasons, within the past five years, we have committed considerable time and financial resources into a new internal master plan as well as significant projects including the expansion of our marina and the completion of the bulkhead on the western perimeter of the harbor, both of which have positively impacted the reservoir community," said Stuart by email. "We hope to have additional news about other projects as we move closer to finalizing our master plan."

Stuart would not agree to an interview by phone.

Stuart also would not elaborate on whether the continuation of the project would be to the same scale as was first released 20 years ago.


Phase II was originally slated to include amenities such as a specialty grocery store, bakery, laundry and similar services along Harbor Drive for locals and guests. This phase of development also included a nine-story, 200-room hotel, 60,000 square feet of meeting space, more retail and parking.

There were other offerings talked about, such as water taxis to ferry people not only across the marina, but also to Lost Rabbit, the Yacht Club, and other subdivisions connected by water.

Stuart, however, would not say if those details would be included in the future.

Sigman, though, is optimistic.

"As I said, They have invested a lot of money not to do anything," he said of the nearly $9 million dollars already spent on the lease. "They want a return on investment. I can guaranty that."
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/...i/73436907007/
New retail space coming to Gluckstadt
Video Link

Quote:
MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Madison County residents will soon have more choices for shopping thanks to a new retail town center.

Chief Operations Officer Scott Sledge said they have completed Phase 1 of their development project. He said Germantown Village in Gluckstadt is part of Phase 2.

“I’m very excited for the revenue that it’s going to bring to glass there. And I’m also happy to know that we have some conveniences we have versus going six miles out to have to go to some of the local stores up on 463. So, I’m very excited for all the revenue revenue that’s coming here and also the businesses that’s going to bring some more convenience to the Madison area, Gluckstadt area,” said Pam Morris, who lives in Gluckstadt.

Sledge said new restaurants, two new hotels, a movie theater and more will be added. They’re talking to potential tenants about bringing their business to Gluckstadt.

The development team said the modern and attractive designs of the building are sure to catch the eyes of potential customers. They will offer a range of flexible spaces to suit any business needs.

Sledge said the project should be completed by early 2026.
https://www.wjtv.com/news/local-news...to-gluckstadt/
Lake Caroline Developer withdraws plans for Stribling Market

Quote:
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Developers of Stribling Market, the proposed gas station that would be located near the entrance of Lake Caroline, have withdrawn their request to build on this property.

But is this the end of the zoning war?

“I don’t believe it’s a hold on anything. I think it’s a strategy,” Lake Caroline resident Robert DeCoster said.

Friday of last week, Lake Caroline residents received a letter in the mail from the president of Lake Caroline Incorporated, Mark Jordan.

“We are informed that temporarily, LCI is going to put a halt on this. But at the same time, they’re sticking with the party line, that LCI has every right to develop Lake Caroline property any which way they can,” Lake Caroline resident Judith Fouladi said.

Over the last 6 months, Lake Caroline residents have been filling Madison County Board of Supervisors meetings - voicing their concerns on whether the property is zoned for a gas station or not.

In the letter, Jordan cited that withdrawing the Stribling market plans would allow County leaders time to look further into issues and residents’ concerns.

“I have traveled across the United States and I have never seen a gas station inside of a neighborhood,” Lake Caroline resident Robin Hodges said.

“There are no records of Mark Jordan ever filing, asking for a rezoning. There’s nothing on record. There is nothing that they can prove that this was rezoned,” DeCoster said.

As Jordan works with the county, he will host a public meeting next month to discuss the current master plans for the neighborhood and future plans.

“I think it’s it’s an opportunity for the developer to put it on hold a little bit to regroup. I believe there have probably likely been strategic communications to figure out how to best approach this. We’re not falling for it and we’re not going away,” Fouladi said.

That meeting will be May 13 at the Mermaid Café at 6:30 p.m.
https://www.wlbt.com/2024/04/24/lake...ibling-market/
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Old Posted Apr 25, 2024, 6:47 PM
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WOW at the Harbor Walk development, that would've looked amazing and brought so many tourists to the area. Hate it feel through. Hopefully they can build something similar or bigger than to this rendering.
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Old Posted Apr 25, 2024, 6:53 PM
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New food hall opens in Flowood. You already know the name

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When Nathan Glenn was 9 years old in 1984, his father, Tim Glenn, put him to work from time to time at the original Rooster's Restaurant on Roach Street in downtown Jackson. He would pick up trash, wash dishes and occasionally stand on a milk crate to help cook, when it was necessary.

That all-hands-on-deck family mentality is still a staple as Nathan and his family have expanded the business over the years, which includes Basil's Restaurant.

The newest addition is the Basil's/Rooster's combo that officially opened to the public on Monday off Airport Road in Flowood.

"We had a little soft opening last week, and we pulled all of our family members in to help us get open," Nathan Glenn said. "It's really a combination of Roosters and Basil's. We kind of have that in Fondren with both close to one another. But this is different in that they are both physically under the same roof and the same kitchen."

He said there are two separate lines with two separate menus.

"It's like a little mini food hall. We are real excited with it," Glenn said.

He said that when the website is fully functional after the staff is completely trained, people will be able to order from both menus online and pickup.

Rooster's is famous for its crispy chicken, but it also has a cheeseburger that folks drive from far and wide to order. Basil's has 12 kinds of gourmet pizzas with four sauces (white, tomato, honey barbecue, southwest coffee barbecue) in addition to the panini and salad menu.

Among the most popular pizzas is the John Wayne that is topped with beef brisket, caramelized onions, jalapenos and southwest coffee barbecue sauce and served with a side of chipotle bacon ranch sauce. All of the pizzas come with the sauce for dipping.

The expansion into Flowood means there are now two Rooster's locations and four Basil's locations with plans to open more in the near future as Glenn and the family explore franchising opportunities for Basil's, specifically.

"Our brand is strong," Glenn said. "We hit Fondren 20 years ago, and a lot of people like to give us credit for helping to revitalize the area. Maybe there is a little truth to that, but it's probably more of being in the right place at the right time. But we are community oriented and want to help give back whenever we can."

There is the Rooster's in Fondren as well as now in Flowood, and there are Basil's locations in downtown Jackson on Congress Street, in the Renaissance in Ridgeland, on State Street in Jackson and now in Flowood.

Glenn still has fond memories of the original location, which backed up to the King Edward Hotel.

"Man, as a 9 year old. I can remember running around behind the restaurant hunting rats with a blow dart. That is absolutely the truth," he said. "Then I can remember at one of the other restaurants, the cook didn't show up. My dad threw an apron around my neck, put me on a milk crate and showed me how to sauté shrimp and mushrooms. So, yeah, a lot of memories, and it was all about family then and it is all about family now."

Franchising opportunities
Glenn has opened or been a part of opening 15 restaurants of different kinds over the years, but now he is looking to expand the brand of Basil's.

"One of the reasons we were building this location in Flowood is for models for upcoming franchising opportunities," he said. "We are putting the final touches on that now, a lot of legal and paperwork still to go."

Glenn said he also has some other opportunities with other business people in the area that he hopes to be able to announce in the near future.
https://www.newsbreak.com/flowood-ms...Ict1amrlB3jK_i
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Old Posted Apr 25, 2024, 11:39 PM
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Mississippi Valley State University Athletics Facilities Update

Video posted on Twitter, click the link to see the projects
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Mississippi Valley State Athletics
@MVSUDevilSports
As we continue to elevate, here are facility updates projected to be finished by the end of the 2024.

✅ Weight room = completed
✅Jumbotron = almost complete
������️ Football Turf = will be completed in 2024
⚾️������ Baseball/Softball = completed in 2024
������ Tennis courts = almost done
0:03 / 0:32
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https://twitter.com/MVSUDevilSports/...08144244425001
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Jackson Public School District officially opens new baseball, softball fields at Hardy-Hughes complex

Kenderrius Carter, Forest Hill Patriots baseball player; Dr. Errick Greene, JPS superintendent; and Kacelyn Jones, Jim Hill Tigers softball player cut the ribbon during the grand opening of new baseball and softball fields at the Hardy-Hughes Athletic Complex in Jackson, Miss., on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Quote:
Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees echoed a similar cadence throughout the Hardy-Hughes athletic complex about JPSD wanting to give back to its student-athletes.

On Friday, the Jackson Public School District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and officially opened up its new baseball and softball fields.

In 2018, Jackson residents voted for a $65 million bond referendum to improve schools and athletic facilities, of which $5.7 million was put into the development of the new complex.

The $5.7 million dollars spent on the construction saw a project built from the ground up, including natural grass, an irrigation system, batting cages, bullpens, spectator seating, fenced dugouts, scoreboards and field lighting at both fields.



“The addition of these facilities not only elevates the athletic programs within the district but also serves as a focal point for community pride and involvement,” JPS Superintendent Errick Greene said.

The fields support all JPS high school baseball and softball teams year-round, and the 2024 season saw its debut for baseball and softball seasons. The high schools include Callaway, Forest Hill, Jim Hill, Lanier, Murrah, Provine and Wingfield.


Attendees sing "Take Me out to the Ballpark" at the end of the grand opening of new baseball and softball fields at the Hardy-Hughes Athletic Complex in Jackson, Miss., on Friday, April 26, 2024.

"It's been a great opportunity," Kaycelyn Jones said. Jones played on the softball team at Jim Hill and described the team's old facilities as like playing on concrete. "I know we're out here about every day utilizing the cages and the field. It's just a great opportunity."

It's the second milestone that the JPS board has for the Hardy-Hughes athletic complex, which has other goals, such as adding more facilities for indoor sports.

The two fields add to a complex that began with a renovation of the Hardy-Hughes football stadium and track and field completed in 2023, which was a part of the 2018 bond. It added a new paved parking lot, ticket booth, concession stand and restrooms.


"On behalf of baseball and softball players, we are very thankful for this field," said Kenderrius Carter, who plays baseball at Forest Hill. "We are very thankful for practices and playing the games we have in the city. On behalf of us all, we are very thankful and want to say thank you to the people who helped develop and build this field."

Hardy-Hughes Field is playing host one first-round playoff game on Saturday as Jim Hill baseball faces George County in its three-game series in the MHSAA Class 6A state playoffs, which started on Friday.

A found interest in Jackson with baseball and softball
In 2018, JPS' bond referendum focused heavily on upgrading athletic facilities, one of which was a newly constructed baseball and softball field.

Greene has seen interest in these two sports grow over time among schools, teams and athletes. So, Greene thought, why not expand the complex and add facilities to help improve play and attention?

"There's an interest," Greene said. "We've got lots of scholars who are involved in are interested in baseball and softball. We've got teams that have been competitive, but we want to help them to be more competitive, locally and across the state and perhaps even beyond."


Kenderrius Carter, Forest Hill Patriots baseball player, and Kacelyn Jones, Jim Hill Tigers softball player, speak during the grand opening of new baseball and softball fields at the Hardy-Hughes Athletic Complex in Jackson, Miss., on Friday, April 26, 2024.

Executive Director of Athletics at JPS Daryl Jones knows baseball and softball are not the first sports many kids choose to play, but he sees the community starting to find an interest and is happy to see the facilities getting used every night.

"Baseball and softball is really not a sport that's been, I guess glorified in our communities," Jones said. "So what we want to do is bring it back to our communities and make sure that we expose our scholar-athletes to baseball and softball with good coaching and good fundamentals of the game so they can kind of grow and hopefully grow their scholarship potential."
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/...x/73458190007/
More coverage of the new JPS baseball/softball fields
Video Link


WORK TO PRESERVE UNDERPASS ON I-55 WILL REQUIRE CLOSING ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC ON WEEKENDS

Quote:
Work to preserve an underpass of a bridge on I-55 that crosses U.S. 51 and the railroad is under way.

The project began in March that will replace bridge bearings, repair splintered areas with epoxy mortar, put a hybrid polymer concrete overlay in place, re-seal bridge joints and install fencing, said Michael Flood, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

Key LLC received a $2.4 million contract to do the work, which is expected to be completed this fall, he said.

Crews are currently working on the bearing replacement, he said.

The biggest component of the job from a traffic standpoint will be the hybrid polymer concrete overlay, Flood said, because it will require lane closures over a couple weekends in the near future. The timing for that depends upon the weather and is to be determined.
The public can stay informed about the timeframe for the upcoming work that will require lane closures by following @MississippiDOT on social media and signing up for traffic alerts at MDOTtraffic.com.

Flood said work like that on the underpass often takes place across the state. “One that comes to mind was on State Route 43 over the Reservoir in Madison County a year or two ago,” he said.

Drivers are urged to watch out for workers, slow down and drive distraction-free and give the roadside workers the space they need to safely complete the job, he said.
https://www.northsidesun.com/work-pr...&e_sort_order=
EAST HARDY STREET BRIDGE EXPECTED TO OPEN NEXT WEEK AFTER WEATHER DELAYS



Quote:
After rainy conditions recently put a hamper on the re-opening of the East Hardy Street bridge that connects Petal and Hattiesburg over the Leaf River, officials are now looking forward to the completion of that project early next week.

Terri Bell, who serves as president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, said the bridge was expected to re-open in mid-April, but inclement weather caused the work to be pushed back a bit. Despite that setback, workers have recently been able to make progress on several measures, including but not limited to:

Grading the roadway to prepare for asphalt;
Forming and pouring sections of sidewalk on the Hattiesburg side of the bridge;
Forming and pouring tops and gutters of curb inlets on the Petal side of the bridge;
Removing the bridge deck overhang forms;
Forming and pouring curb and gutter tie-in on the Petal side of the bridge;
Installing limestone base and grading the roadway on the Petal side of the bridge; and
Installing topsoil and preparing for landscaping of the curb islands on the Hattiesburg side of the bridge.
The bridge has been closed to traffic since January 22, when it was shut down to allow drainage work and other measures.

“We’re almost there,” Bell said. “We’re really excited that we’re going to be able to open the bridge to traffic, so people that normally commute that way can continue that path.

“We’re excited to get it back open for everyone.”

However, some upcoming drainage work just south of Carterville Road in Petal will necessitate a closure of a small portion of South Main Street once work on the bridge is complete. That closure, which will take place along South Main from the red light at Carterville Road to Dawson Cutoff, is expected to last approximately a month.

Bell said that work could be completed while the bridge project progresses, but that measure would have made it more difficult for the businesses in that area, including the MJ Discount convenience store and Cochran’s Muffler and Auto Shop.

“We wanted to keep these businesses as accessible to traffic as we could,” Bell said. “We feel like this way, people can get to them, because we’ve poured driveways to them, so people can get to them while we’re in this last phase of the drainage on the Petal side.”

Officials are currently working to complete a new bridge adjacent to the current bridge, which will replace the structure that has connected Hattiesburg and Petal for more than 70 years.

Officials had originally considered demolishing the current bridge, but after learning that endeavor would cost approximately $1 million, the decision was made to leave the structure and transform it into a pedestrian bridge. The funds for that project will come from the Leaf and Bouie Redevelopment District, which was recently established to take the taxes from each side of the Leaf and Bouie rivers and reinvest them back into those areas of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County.

“We have that district set up down there, and that’s bringing in some revenue for the second or third year,” said David Hogan, former president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, in a previous story. “So we’ll have some money built up to do some stuff to the old bridge once it’s not in use anymore.

“It’s going to be a destination point. There will be a walking path and some lighting, and we’ll probably paint it during events.”

With the help of matching grants from the United States Department of Transportation, officials from Petal, Forrest County and Hattiesburg are working to put forward matching grants to make a walking path possible on the bridge. The funds would come from the department of transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity discretionary grant program for 2024, which is designed to help communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact.

“I’m extremely excited about taking this step forward for the city to partner with Forrest County and the City of Petal to make the old East Hardy bridge an asset to our entire community,” Hattiesburg City Council president Jeffrey George said in a previous story. “I think the potential addition of this pedestrian path will help us continue to expand outdoor recreation opportunities and will further our mission to realize the Leaf River as an asset to our city.”
https://www.hubcityspokes.com/local-...&e_sort_order=
CITY OF PETAL ISSUES REBUILDING PERMIT FOR DILAPIDATED STEVENS STREET PROPERTY



Quote:
After several months of contentious meetings of the Petal Board of Aldermen and residents of the City of Petal regarding a dilapidated property on Stevens Street, board members have voted to approve a permit to allow the owner of that building to rebuild the facility rather than demolish it.

The condition of the structure, which is owned by Bach Stabile – owner of Trusted Homes, LLC – has been addressed at several recent board meetings by Ward 1 Alderman Gerald Steele and his wife Jamie Steele, who live adjacent to the property. The Steeles have contended that the building – which was last occupied in or around 2017 by the Deep South Cycles business – is not up to code and presents a safety risk to the family, particularly in the instance of a possible fire.

“The property next to my house is a fire hazard,” Jamie told aldermen during a recent board meeting. “Aside from the necessary buffer zone of 20 feet (required by city code) that should be provided, the current fence that stands between my house and the structure at 106 Stevens Street is dilapidated and falling over.

“The property owner (of that building) should be made to provide adequate fencing as well as an adequate buffer zone upon building at this location, which is clearly outlined in our city’s ordinances.”

Stabile will now be given 30 days to obtain the permit, six months to start work on the building and 18 months to complete the work. A cost estimate for the work is expected to be determined soon, including replacing the roof – which collapsed in recent weeks – along with repairing the fallen-in walls and other interior measures.

“Obviously it’s a tough situation, and there’s a lot of grey area in matters of this nature,” Mayor Tony Ducker said. “We want to do something … that is fair to all parties involved and that is legal to our best understanding of this. Hopefully, (the owner) will act in accordance with the will of the board, and that would mean that they would need to clean the place up.

“I think the board has acted in the best interest of the city, when it’s all said and done.”

Stabile began work in January 2022 to repair the structure, at which time an initial building permit was issued by the city for $20,000. However, city officials then sent a letter to Stabile stating that the property is located in an AE flood zone as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, meaning the site presents a 1 percent annual chance of flooding and a 26 percent chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage.

Under that classification, if the value of improvements is more than 50 percent of the actual cash value of the property, the building on the property must be up to code. On February 2, 2022, a Stop Work Order was posted on the building, stating that Stabile was completing work outside the scope of the permit.

According to a document submitted by Jamie, Stabile turned in an appraisal for the property dated December 20, 2021, which stated the property’s current “as is” value was essentially its purchase price of $35,000.

“’Market value of the subject, as of December 3, 2021, is $155,000, subject to satisfactory completion of renovation,’” the document states. “The owner, after submitting a permit request for $50,000 that was denied due to (city) ordinance, tried to say that he would only need a permit for $16,500, but this request was denied due to labor and supplies not being itemized as required.”

Jamie said the 106 Stevens Street property is current zoned C-2 (commercial) and abuts her R-1 (residential) property, which houses her, Gerald and their three children. In July 2023 Jamie sent a formal complaint to the mayor, the city’s building department manager, and the board of aldermen regarding the building, which she said is not being built to code according to city standards.

Another appraisal was submitted by Stabile dated August 4, 2023, which stated the estimated value of the property at $80,000 in its as-is condition, which was considered to be 47 percent complete. At that point, the building department submitted a letter stating that the appraisal was not sufficient and that an appraisal prior to February 2, 2022 – when the Stop Work Order was submitted – be turned in, along with an itemized list of work/supply estimates.

During a January 16 public meeting, the Petal Board of Aldermen condemned the building via a unanimous vote. The main part of the structure collapsed in mid-February, at which point that incident was reported to the Petal Fire Department.

In a letter dated February 13, city officials sent a letter to Trusted Homes stating that the building was an “imminent danger to the residents surrounding it,” and required Stablie to obtain a demolition permit.

Seth Hunter, Stablie’s lawyer, provided another appraisal dated February 29 stating the estimated market value of the property as of January 7, 2022, was $85,000.

“It is clear that his board based its most recent decision to allow a building permit on a fraudulent appraisal,” Jamie said. “The appraiser states that the property went up in value by $50,000 in just a matter of weeks while absolutely no work was done.

“Work started on January 6, 2022. (The board) allowed – and I believe encouraged – the property owner … to continuously manipulate the numbers so an unsafe building could be rebuilt. The initial appraisal turned in, which stated the cash value was $35,000, compared to the building request permit request of $50,000, equated substantial improvement – the end. Why is it so difficult to enforce city ordinances?”
https://www.hubcityspokes.com/local-...&e_sort_order=
AIRPORT SIGN UNVEILING

Quote:
Sometimes the signs of progress are hard to discern, and other times it is as obvious as Greenville’s Mid-Delta airport sign. The large Green sign screams progress and brings the city one step closer to the big city feel that the leadership in the area is trying to achieve. You might just see a new sign at the airport, but the mayor, Greenville’s city council members, and the folks at...
https://www.ddtonline.com/business-c...&e_sort_order=
Could a Starkville High and MSMS mega campus be built at MSU?

Quote:
Imagine Starkville High School and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science operating as sister schools on the campus of Mississippi State University. The two schools have their own identities and facilities — the residential MSMS sporting new dorms for its 240 students. Cafeteria, labs and other spaces would be shared. Who knows? Maybe MSMS students suit up to compete on Yellow Jacket athletic teams. Students from both schools could seamlessly engage with faculty, programs and
https://cdispatch.com/news/could-a-s...-built-at-msu/
Mississippi Slumber store gives customers reason to rest easy when it comes to mattress shopping

Quote:
Mississippi business owner Christopher Robinson has one goal when it comes to selling — no customer should lose sleep when it comes to buying a mattress.

Friday was a special day for Robinson. His sleep mattress store idea, which opened in November, celebrated a ribbon cutting with a large crowd gathered together outside of Slumber by J. Allan’s in Brookhaven.

What people may not know is the furniture store’s namesake was James Allan Smith, Christopher’s father. Katie Nations, program director at the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, said she worked with Christopher in the furniture store nearly two decades ago.

Robinson had a business idea to open a store which specializes in sleep and the sale of mattresses because he knew the process for buying a mattress could be complicated. His plan was to make mattress shopping simple and has done so.

“James Allan Smith was a special part of our lives for so long,” Nations said. “I know he would be proud of you. I was proud to work for the business. I’m glad today it came full circle.”

Southwest Broadcasting, Brookhaven Animal Rescue League and Gel-U Italian Ice joined Slumber in the festivities. Robinson said it was good to have the community involved in the celebration.

“The response has been good. It has been good and hopefully we are helping people sleep better,” he said. “I’m glad to see it open and getting the kinks worked out. It has been good.”

Robinson said since the opening things have been going good. Manager Liz Kerwin has stepped up and learned everything she could about mattresses to better serve customers over the last few months. Robinson said she has done a great job managing the store.

Crystal Stringer, a Sealy mattress sales representative, was present at the ribbon cutting. Don Chauvin, J. Allan’s Vice President of Operations, was in attendance for the special occasion. He is a Houma, Louisiana native.

“Slumber is a neat thing. We are able to bring a higher end bedding to the market,” Chauvin said. “It is a fresh feeling when you come in. We have been able to maximize the space. You look around you and see Sealy, Stearn and Foster and Tempurpedic. We believe in them and they believe in us. This is the only Slumber store. It was Christopher’s idea and it worked out well. It allows us a chance to offer mattresses to our furniture stores.”

He spends much of his time on the road going to different stores. J.Allan’s has furniture stores in Ridgeland, Brookhaven and Hattiesburg and their Textures, a J. Allan’s Warehouse, stores in New Orleans and Denham Springs.

“Textures is a warehouse sale concept. It is done once a month which gives us an opportunity to create a certain excitement about it,” Chauvin said. “We try to do exciting things with maybe a food truck or a DJ. We try to make it a fun experience and once a month event. We are always looking for opportunities to grow.”
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/34171...tress-shopping
Check it out: 601 Sports opens new space

Quote:
BROOKHAVEN — Local sporting goods store 601 Sports completed a move down the sidewalk over the weekend. The store opened in a new location at 820 Brookway Boulevard Tuesday morning.

The space is considerably bigger than the former 601 Sports location. More inventory can be seen on the floor. The 601’s gun counter remains tucked away in the back as are the team sporting goods for all your baseball, softball, football and soccer needs.

601 Sports announced the first day of business on social media Tuesday morning and stated “Our signs may be temporary but we are here to stay.”

Tracey Smith, manager of 601 Sports Brookhaven, said the move to the space would allow them to carry more inventory and offer new products on April 9.

Rite Aid was the last tenant in the space before the company was bought out by Walgreens and closed.

Other business news

City of Brookhaven announced last summer that TJ Maxx and Five Below would come to Brookhaven and it was rumored they would take up the space at Rite Aid. TJ Maxx has since opened but Five Below has not stated when or where they plan to open. In the last two weeks, Five Below has not responded to requests for comment on their plans for Brookhaven.

Save-A-Lot posted signs it plans to close by April 27 although the corporate office has not responded to requests for comment. Save-A-Lot’s location is to the right of the former 601 Sports location.

ALDI confirmed on April 12 it plans to come to Brookhaven by this fall. The company did not comment on when or where exactly they planned to open.
https://www.newsbreak.com/brookhaven...pens-new-space
The City of Magee Announces New Smartphone App

Quote:
The City of Magee Announces New Smartphone App



The City of Magee is excited to announce the release of a new smartphone application. This app will serve as a new way for the city to connect with residents and visitors, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone.

The City of Magee mobile app was developed by TheGovApp.com, a brand of OCV, LLC., which specializes in mobile app development for municipalities and public safety organizations across the country. The app offers quick access to items of public interest and is easy to use. In just a few clicks, users can access features such as:



Welcome to Magee
Website
Parks & Rec
Fire Department
Police Department
Pay Bills
Contact Us
Upcoming Events
More!


The City of Magee is available to download for free in the App Store and Google Play by searching “City of Magee, MS” or clicking here.



Sue Note: Ya’ll, the app is great! You can choose which departments you want updates from. Most likely, you will want to allow notifications. If you have problems, go by City Hall and see Penny! She’s a whiz!

MageeNews.com is the online news source for Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
https://mageenews.com/the-city-of-ma...phone-app/amp/
Crews to finish repaving several streets in Kosciusko

Quote:
Construction crews will begin work to finish resurfacing streets throughout Kosciusko this week.

Kosciusko Mayor Tim Kyle said crews will begin work today or Friday, weather permitting, on E Adams Street.

Additionally, the new road into the soccer fields at Hugh Ellard Park off of Hwy 43 S will be completely paved.

Other streets set to be paved include:

Washington Street
Madison Street
Pilsudsky Street
Love Street
Peachtree Street
E South Street
Highland Drive
Goodman Street

Audio: Mayor Tim Kyle discusses street paving during Minute with the Mayor
https://www.breezynews.com/local/cre...s-in-kosciusko
Audio: Work continues on historic downtown Kosciusko mapping project/walking tour

Quote:
Work is continuing on a project that would turn downtown Kosciusko into an interactive history lesson.

The project includes creating a map of historic downtown Kosciusko that would be used as the basis for a walking audio tour.

That tour would follow the original Natchez Trace and would also highlight several other historic locations downtown.

The maps, which would be available at the Visitor’s Center, City Hall, and the Kosciusko-Attala Partnership, contain QR codes on the back that when scanned, would bring up an audio file or would give information about that site.

The entire project is the work of Bad Hoss Maps, a New Mexico based company that creates historical maps for books, museums, and for government agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Forestry Service, the Department of Indian Affairs.

Representatives from the company are due back in Kosciusko at the beginning of May to finish their work on mapping the downtown area.

Audio:

Kosciusko Mayor Tim Kyle discusses the mapping project during Minute with the Mayor.

https://www.breezynews.com/local/aud...t-walking-tour
Highest Care dispensary moves, sees record sales on 4/20

Quote:
NATCHEZ — The Highest Care, one of the first medical cannabis dispensaries to open in Natchez, has outgrown its Jeff Davis Boulevard location and moved to a new facility at 2 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive.

“We were outgrowing our location on Jeff Davis Boulevard,” said General Manager Christian Wroten. “We have been renting for a year and are getting busier and busier. Our new location is a perfect fit.”

The Highest Care opened its doors at its new location on Monday, April 15, and by Saturday, the store recorded its busiest day ever.

“Saturday was 4/20, which is essentially a national cannabis holiday. On that day we saw 99 patients, our busiest day,” Wroten said.

More and more doctors in Natchez are writing cannabis prescriptions and are inquiring about medical cannabis, which translates to more patients seeking relief for chronic pain and other medical issues, he said.

“The average age of our patients is 58 years old. Most of them come to us for chronic pain and relief from diabetic neuropathy. We have a number of hospice patients, as well,” Wroten said. “It’s not young people coming here to get pot, which is what some people think. Patients come here for relief from their medical conditions. A lot of doctors are beginning to come on board.”

He said cannabis is available in a variety of forms, but all require a medical marijuana card issued by the state.

“We sell everything from cannabis lotion to smokable cannabis flowers, edibles, cannabis chocolates, cannabis drops … we even have cannabis bath balms,” he said. “Some of our patients have been able to get off prescription pain medications and have narrowed down their prescription medications to just one or two now.”

Wroten’s mother is the owner of the business. She is also the owner broker at River Park Realty, which manages the offices at 131 and 151 Jeff Davis Blvd. for its owner, J.R. Real Property.

Because of the need for additional space for The Highest Care, she purchased the property at 2 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive when she learned it met all of the criteria necessary for a medical dispensary.
https://www.newsbreak.com/natchez-ms...-sales-on-4-20
Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise unveils the official name of travel plaza: “Crystal Sky”

Quote:
CHOCTAW, MS (February 28, 2024) – The Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise (CRDE), owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, is thrilled to announce the official name of its upcoming travel plaza: “Crystal Sky.” The name draws inspiration from the nearby Tribal community in Winston County. Known as Crystal Ridge, this community shares part of its name with the travel plaza. This exciting development promises to be a beacon of hospitality, convenience, and cultural pride for travelers passing through the Louisville area.

“As we unveil the name of our Travel Plaza, I am filled with gratitude,” said Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben. “This endeavor isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about weaving connections. Crystal Sky will not only serve travelers passing through but will also uplift the Louisville/Winston County area and honor the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.”

In April 2023, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Travel Plaza, Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben unveiled an innovative contest. Tribal members were invited to submit their suggestions for the plaza’s name, reflecting the spirit of the community and the natural beauty of the surroundings. The response was overwhelming, with 258 entries pouring in. After extensive rounds of voting and thoughtful consideration, the winning name emerged: “Crystal Sky.” The final decision was made collaboratively by the Tribal Council and CRDE Board members.

We extend our congratulations to tribal member Dachelle E. of Louisville, MS, whose submission captured the essence and vision of the property. As a token of appreciation, Dachelle will receive a $500 cash prize in recognition of her creativity and contribution to the community.
https://www.breezynews.com/local/cho...66229248046875
Waldo’s Chicken and Beer to come to Tupelo

Video Link

Quote:
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) – Another chicken restaurant is coming to Tupelo, and it is called Waldo's Chicken & Beer.

Waldo's is an Alabama-based company that has locations primarily throughout the southeastern United States.

Waldo's will be located in the now-closed Abner's Restaurant located on North Gloster Street.

The company's website says that you can enjoy chicken on the bone, on the bun, in a basket or in a bowl.

And of course, as they name says, there will be beer.
https://www.wtva.com/news/waldo-s-ch...e50758121.html
NEW MURAL ON HISTORIC I.C. LEVY BUILDING

Quote:
Holly Springs Main Street has installed a new mural on the south side of the historic I.C. Levy building, that, now serves as headquarters for Retro Rooster. Deborah Mansfield Decorative Painting, of West Point, which also painted the mural on the west wall of the Holly Springs Main Street Chamber building, is the designer. Mansfield and Marion Sansing are the primary artists for this mural, which consist of six panels. A panel of Holly Springs unique architecture, education, history, wildlife, people and music are represented in the mural.
https://www.southreporter.com/news/n...-levy-building
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Old Posted Apr 27, 2024, 2:36 PM
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Hernando approves hotel and retail development at McIngvale and Green T

Quote:
Hernando has approved a new 25 acre development located next to I-269 that will feature retail and restaurant sites along with three new upscale hotels.

Ironwood, which will be built at the strategic corner of McIngvale and Green T Road at Exit 1 along the interstate, will have three branded hotels by Marriott, a convenience store with 12 fuel pumps, a multi-bay retail site for six tenants, and five restaurant spaces.

“This is going to be beautiful and luxurious,” said T.J. Cates who represented the developer as his economic development consultant. “When you get off at that exit and you see this, this is the first impression people will see when they come down I-55 and I-269. They’re going to really look at Hernando as something incredible. It’s going to be a good destination.”


Hernando Planning Director Austin Cardosi said the pie-shaped piece of property was used as a staging area during construction of I-269.

“The property was originally included in the right of way of I-269 by MDOT,” Cardosi said. “That was subsequently sold to the developer upon completion of the interstate.”

Cardosi told the Board of Aldermen at its April 16 meeting that the development fits in with the city’s C-2 zoning and aligns closely with the community’s desire for enhanced commercial and mixed-use development along the interstate.

“The future land use map identified this property as activity retail which is focused primarily on the needs of motorists using pedestrian access and connections,” Cardosi said.

Cates said Ironwood will be built in multiple phases starting with a six story Marriott hotel and the convenience store. The hotel will be highly visible to travelers from the Interstate and will be designed to be Hernando’s flagship hospitality destination.

“We’re not going to jump right in and build three hotels,” Cates said. “We’re going to phase it. We are going to go six stories, so it will be a little more prominent.”

Cates said the hotels will feed off of people coming out of Memphis, but will mostly cater to business travelers who fly into Memphis but don’t want to stay downtown. They also envision that it will appeal to visiting sports teams participating in local tournaments as well.


“It’s going to be primarily booked online,” Cates said. “There shouldn’t be a lot of people pulling up looking for a room. They will come into town the night before, have dinner and do some shopping, and then wake up the next morning and have breakfast, gas up their car, and then go. So this will give a lot of lodging options to DeSoto County.”

Cates said there will be no houses included in the development and that Ironwood will be about 46 percent green space with a pond and walking trails.

“It’s going to be a walking district,” Cates explained. “That’s something that Marriott requires and that you be able to only take two right hand turns off the interstate to get to the hotel and you need to be able to walk to shopping and dining so people don’t have to get in their cars and go back and forth.”

Cates said an influx of new residents and residential neighborhoods has brought about a demand for new shopping, entertainment, and dining options in Hernando. The retail and restaurant sites will feature a diverse array of national brands and will offer unique dining and expanded shopping options that will appeal to residents of Hernando and the surrounding area.

“They are talking to some large restaurant chains,” Cates said. “It’s going to be white tablecloth dining. And the reason we are talking to so many good restaurants is because everybody complains that the restaurants here close so early and the kitchens close so early. What we are hoping to do with the restaurants too is to feed off Olive Branch, Southaven, and Lewisburg. And when people stay at the hotels, it will give them an opportunity to eat at multiple restaurants.”

Architect Scott Guidry of Designshop said they hope to break ground in 12 to 18 months on Phase 1.

“The development team is really anxious to get started,” Guidry said. “He’s anxious to build his two pieces and the market. The hotel rooms will dictate when they need to come on board.”

Alderman Ben Piper expressed concerns about traffic issues at the intersection and whether the city would be able to improve the roadway by the time Ironwood starts construction.

“We discussed just recently how dangerous that intersection at McIngvale and Green T is with the number of accidents there,” Piper said. “With the timeline you have given, it really puts the city on the clock to get that intersection dealt with.”

Cates said MDOT has already done a traffic study and may recommend adding a roundabout to help with traffic flow. Developers have already agreed to pay for a turn lane on the northside of Green T.

“We are actually putting in our own lane,” Cates said. “It’s a 55 foot wide lane. It will add a turn lane to that area which they don’t have now.”

Mayor Chip Johnson said he recently had a meeting with MDOT District 2 Engineer Mitch Turner and was informed that the state may pay for the design.

“He told me he is fairly certain he has some money in the highway safety account - not to build it - but for MDOT to do the design,” Johnson said. “So maybe we will get $300,000 of design work done through MDOT and that will get us started. That doesn’t give us the money to build it, but it will get us started on it.”

Alderman Andrew Miller said knowing that the development will break ground in 18 months may be just the push the city needs.

“Seeing this is on the horizon in 18 months, it will really help us with our decision making instead of pushing this down the line further,” Miller said.

Johnson added that the whole reason Hernando annexed the exits along I-69 and I-269 was to help the city grow its commercial tax base.

“When things like this come to those exits, they will be paying 15 percent property tax,” Johnson said. “They will be generating sales taxes. That’s the nodes where we can put those things that generate this tax revenues and the services that a lot of our citizens want. There will be restaurants that show up that they have been asking about, and it helps us keep our property taxes where they are by getting these types of things that pay those higher rates. This seems, in my mind, to fit the bill.”

Developers also agreed to the city’s request to strike car washes, cannabis stores, and radio/tv/cell towers from the allowable uses.

“It’s a wonderful development,” Cates said. “I like living down the street from it. It will keep us from going to Memphis as much and will be a nice improvement to that scrappy little piece of land that was leftover.”
https://www.desototimes.com/news/her...2a33fdfd2.html
Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) is undergoing a $50 million set of renovations

Quote:
Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) is undergoing a $50 million set of renovations with developments focused around Howell Hall.

These changes aim to enhance CAAD’s infrastructure, foster a more cohesive environment and improve the overall experience for students and faculty. The changes include a complete renovation of Howell Hall, which currently houses the Department of Building Construction Science.

Angi Bourgeois, who serves as dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Design, said that these changes are bringing the college together more than ever.

“This is a program-altering opportunity for the three units being given new and upgraded space,” Bourgeois said of the architecture, construction and interior design programs. “This will be the first time that the very, very interconnected departments within our college will be physically within proximity.”

While the dates remain unclear, Howell Hall’s construction is expected to start by the end of this year and be completed in 2026. The renovations will begin after the completion of the Bost Drive expansion. When completed, this expansion will connect Barr Avenue to Bailey Howell Drive and replace the portion of College View Drive between Giles Hall, Howell Hall and McArthur Hall.

In addition to the renovations, an extension is being built on the south wing of Howell Hall. The only sections of the building remaining the same will be the historic exterior. Many indoor components, including the ceramics and photography labs, the light room and the administrative offices, will see updates to reflect the modernity of the programs housed inside. Bourgeois said that the renovations will be extensive.

“It will retain historic characteristics with added technologies,” Bourgeois said. “Everything will be touched.”

The programs housed in Howell Hall will be temporarily moved to the currently vacant Hunter Henry Center during renovations. Small renovations will also be made to the Hunter Henry Center to make it a viable temporary workspace for CAAD.

Additionally, a courtyard will be built between Giles Hall and Howell Hall. Executive Director of Campus Services Saunders Ramsey said the goal is to make CAAD feel like a miniature art district.

“I think it ties really nicely with the Cotton District and the energy that they have in the city,” Ramsey said, “so I’m really excited about this connection of this creative district all the way back into the city.”

Funding for the project comes from state bonds allocated by the Mississippi Legislature. Les Potts, the interim vice president of the Division of Finance and Administration, said the project has taken a long time to develop.

“It has been contemplated and planned for over several years,” Potts said. “A lot of these capital projects, they take a lot longer than one would realize to plan and then execute.”

Bourgeois explained that many of the buildings in CAAD are in great need of this expansion.

“It’s a wonderful testament to the support that the university has given to the college to expand its footprint to create the most state-of-art programs,” Bourgeois said. “We are very excited.”
https://reflector-online.com/29155/n...n-renovations/
MSU engineering receives $10.5 million to expand education, construct new lab

The IDEE lab is a cooperative space designed to be accessible to all mechanical engineering students.
Quote:
Dalton “Ross” Smith, an instructor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, has received $10.5 million to expand engineering education through the Advancements in Manufacturing Upscaling (AiM UP) program and a new laboratory space.
Smith said the AiM UP program has three different stages. The first phase begins on campus where MSU is revamping its mechanical and industrial engineering curriculums.
Smith said MSU is working with companies that hire MSU engineering alumni to learn what these companies want from their new hires.
“Everything that we are going to be doing is creating training based off exactly industry input and industry feedback,” Smith said. “And from there we’re going to update and modernize our education, so when students come, either within IC or ME programs, they’re going to be taking courses that’s going to be directly related to hands-on activities influenced in partnership directly with companies.”
Smith said MSU is also creating a new advanced manufacturing lab space called the Innovation Design and Engineering Educational Laboratory (IDEE Lab). Located in the Patterson Engineering Laboratories building, the IDEE Lab will house a variety of manufacturing equipment including computer numerical control systems, plasma tables and 3D printers.
The IDEE Lab will give students exposure to equipment that is commonly used in the industry, preparing students for their future careers. The lab will be used for instruction and as a free space for engineering students to work on personal projects. Smith is hopeful that the IDEE Lab will be available to students sometime during the spring semester.
Joseph Tillery, a senior mechanical engineering major at MSU, said that hands-on learning is vital for developing engineers.
“The value of working hands-on and understanding the problem and going through the manufacturing process while you’re making something is just priceless as far as developing engineers to work better and understand the problems that they’re going to come into when they go to the workforce,” Tillery said.




The second phase of the AiM UP program is to provide training for engineers already in the workforce. MSU is partnering with East Mississippi Community College to offer two courses, one on automation and robotics and another on composites.
Christopher Bounds is the director of the MSU Advanced Composites Institute (ACI). Bounds said the ACI offers camps and after-school programs for middle and high school students. In the high school program, young engineers can design and create real projects like cornhole boards and bicycles. Some funding from the AiM UP program will support training at ACI.
For two-year and four-year college students, ACI offers a boot-camp style program that takes place over a couple of weeks where students can learn essential skills. ACI also recommends students to companies in the industry and ensures that these students have the job-specific training they need before starting their careers.
ACI also trains engineers already in the workforce. ACI partners with companies like Boeing who will send their employees to ACI to receive job-specific training free of charge.
The third phase of the AiM UP program involves engaging with K-12 students in hopes of inspiring them to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing.
Tonya McCall, director at the MSU Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension, is leading the K-12 engagement aspect of AiM UP. McCall said that the community outreach is still being planned, but that it will include inviting K-12 graders to campus to see the labs and technology that MSU engineering students use as well as visiting local schools to showcase engineering tech.
McCall said that the goal is to expose K-12 students to modern manufacturing.
“What we hear from industry are concerns about what their future pipeline of workers looks like down the road, so we’re trying our best, as a small part of this effort, to try to make sure that we are reaching those young minds,” McCall said.
https://reflector-online.com/12508/n...ruct-new-lab/#
New OPD headquarters taking shape

Quote:
The early phases of the $12 million project to renovate the new Oxford Police Department headquarters are well underway, signaling a significant milestone for the department.

In 2021, the Oxford Board of Aldermen approved a plan to turn the former Oxford Enterprise Center into a new police headquarters to help accommodate the rapid growth of the department in recent years.

Construction continues on new OPD. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

With the demolition phase completed, construction crews are now focused on laying out the interior walls and beginning to put in drywall.

“We’re moving quickly on that,” said Chief Jeff McCutchen. “If you knew the blueprint going in, you can walk in the building now and understand the layout and where the rooms are.”

The new headquarters, spanning 40,000 square feet, promises to bring the entire department under one roof, fostering greater connectivity and efficiency. McCutchen said OPD should be able to move into the new building around January or February of 2025.

Central to the design is the dispatch center, described by McCutchen as the nucleus of the building.

“Everything is built around dispatch,” McCutchen said. “It’s really our central communication piece.”

Other features include dedicated spaces for victim services, complete with a conference room and playroom for children.

“We want to make sure everyone feels welcome and supported,” McCutchen said, highlighting plans for a volunteer internship program and improved evidence-processing facilities.

The training building will be connected to the main building, offering more space for classes and events.

The department also embraces a modern approach to technology, focusing on mobility and collaboration.

“We don’t want a lot of standard desktop computers,” McCutchen said.

Instead, the design incorporates a coffee shop-style patrol area, with flexible workstations to accommodate the dynamic nature of police work.

“Our profession is so mobile; we aren’t coming to the office to do a lot of things. You want to be in the field with your officers,” he said. “We’re going to have stand-up stations and round tables where officers can work together and work on reports. or you can stand and work. There are a lot of neat little nuances to help us be efficient, but also keep us healthy and connected.”

As progress continues, anticipation is building within the department and the community, McCutchen said.

“It’s gonna be great,” McCutchen said. “Just to have everybody together for the first time in a number of years is going to be super special.”

The state Legislature has granted Oxford about $6 million in grants for the building. OPD also received a $200,000 federal grant for equipment for the building. The city is paying the remaining costs using a bond.

As part of the project, the current OPD headquarters will be turned into a facility for the Oxford Parks Commission.

The post New OPD headquarters taking shape appeared first on The Oxford Eagle .
https://www.newsbreak.com/oxford-ms/...s-taking-shape
Historic Properties Commission approves changes to new Humanities Hub

Quote:
Oxford’s Courthouse Square Historic Properties Commission approved minor changes to the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council’s new Humanities Hub at their meeting on April 1.

Changes included lowering the roofline by one foot to match that of the Powerhouse and the removal of
multicolored sun shades.

Wayne Andrews, director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, says the hub will serve as an “incubator space” for creatives in North Mississippi, providing the tools necessary for transplant entrepreneurs and artists to launch small businesses, create art, and even stay the night.

The Humanities Hub will take the place of the large storage shed currently found in front of the Powerhouse. The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council served 223,000 artists and patrons in 2023. The Humanities Hub will increase the council’s ability to provide to the North Mississippi community, with more programming and event availability.

Due to rising residential and commercial rent prices within the Oxford community, it is often difficult for creatives to find spaces where they can meet and collaborate. Amenities at the hub will relieve some of this struggle with larger meeting spaces and studios, two small theaters, a coworking space, and three residency apartments.

The Powerhouse hosts everything from wedding receptions to summer camps, theatrical productions and film showings, all of which will have more space to breathe and grow when construction is complete.

Local artist and educator Andi Bedsworth organizes and teaches 11 weeks of summer camps to local children. She says she and the Powerhouse have a “love-hate relationship,” as the logistics of the space require her to set up and put away her Powerhouse classroom space each week to allow for other events to take place.

“It’s a real tricky space,” Bedsworth said. “I’m in my fifties now, so it’s getting harder, just the manual labor of pushing carts around, setting up and taking down.”

Bedsworth says the arts council has also made sacrifices to accommodate her summer camps, including allowing children to use staff bathrooms. “We take up every inch of the space,” she said. “I mean, the kids nap in the theater. It’s a compromise on all sides.”

Antonio Tarrell, filmmaker and Oxford Film Festival board member, works between Oxford, Bruce, Mississippi, and Little Rock, Arkansas. Residential space in the hub will alleviate some of his and fellow filmmakers’ hotel and travel costs, as they frequently travel to collaborate on film projects.

Their shared film equipment is currently confined to a small closet, but the new space will allow them more storage space, computers, and the internet, making the collaborative filmmaking process easier.

“Having that building — that is just going to make Oxford 10 times better,” Tarrell said.

Because the Powerhouse is a publicly owned historic building, the addition falls under the local Historic Properties Commission’s jurisdiction despite being located away from the Square.

According to Stuart Povall, chairman of the Courthouse Square Historic Properties Commission, additions to historic buildings “should be clearly discernible from the historic portion of the building and should be designed, in a way, to be “of its time.” “In other words,” he said, “not try and mimic historic aesthetics.”

Such additions also require approval from the Mississippi Secretary of the Interiors Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, which recommended the changes approved locally on April 1.

Original plans for the Humanities Hub were approved in June 2023 following an extensive visioning study completed by the arts council. The commission expressed great enthusiasm for the improvements.

“They’re small, but I think these are great improvements,” said Laurie Beth Ellis, commission member.

Construction on the building will not begin until the arts council raises $750,000 to match that they received from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Community donations
https://www.newsbreak.com/oxford-ms/...humanities-hub
Plato’s Closet now open for shopping

Quote:
Plato’s Closet is now open for shopping and its owners are celebrating with the Oxford community all weekend.

The doors opened today with the first 25 people getting a swag bag with give-aways. There is a drawing for a Lululemon belt bag and Oxicles frozen treats at the store today.

On Friday, the first 25 people will get a swag bag and there will be a drawing for a Kait Cup.

On Saturday, draw for a $100 shopping spree from the Saturday WOW items pool. The first 25 folks get a swag bag and there will be a drawing for a Magnolia Soap Company gift box.

On Sunday, the first 25 people get a swag bag and there will be a drawing for a Nails & Cocktails gift card.

The store, owned locally by Kelly Wilson, Steve May and David Onstead, has been buying clothes since February to get the store stocked and ready to open to shoppers.

The store buys clothes from the current style that are in great condition, from all seasons during the year. They also buy gently used shoes, handbags and accessories for guys and girls. The target customers are teens through people in their late 20s or early 30s.

Plato’s Closet is located at 2305 W. Jackson Ave., Suite 205.

Read more at: https://www.oxfordeagle.com/2024/02/...to-start-soon/
Chicken Salad Chick to open new restaurant in Mississippi

Quote:
US-based fast-casual restaurant chain Chicken Salad Chick is set to enhance its presence in Mississippi by opening a new venue in Ridgeland, Mississippi, US.

Set to open on 7 May 2024, the venue will be the brand’s tenth location in the state.

The new location is situated in the Renaissance at Colony Park at 1000 Highland Colony Parkway and will feature an outdoor patio.

This latest addition to the Chicken Salad Chick portfolio in Mississippi is the fourth venture by local entrepreneurs Blake and Shae Fuller.

Since launching their first restaurant in Flowood in 2018, the husband-and-wife team have expanded their operations to include locations in Madison, Hattiesburg, and now Ridgeland.
https://www.verdictfoodservice.com/n...k-mississippi/

Last edited by vetteking; Apr 28, 2024 at 12:01 PM.
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Old Posted Apr 28, 2024, 11:59 AM
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Proposed Project: Mississippi Center for Medically Fragile Children Jackson, MS




Quote:
PROJECT DATA:
CONSTRUCTION COST: $10.0 Million (est.)
SIZE: 30 Beds

SUMMARY:
Our team is providing services for the State of Mississippi’s first pediatric palliative care facility. This project will include the construction of an approximately $10 million, 30-bed, long-term palliative care unit in Jackson’s medical zone. The center will offer a home-like treatment facility for the medically fragile children who are now living at Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.
https://www.dalepartners.com/mississ...27s%20Hospital.
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Old Posted Apr 29, 2024, 10:57 PM
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Jackson Public Schools votes to demolish three previously closed elementaries

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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Three previously closed Jackson elementary schools will soon be torn down.

At its regular meeting on April 18, the Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees voted to demolish three former elementary schools on the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Errick Greene and the administration.

The schools are Baker Elementary, at 300 E. Santa Clair St., French Elementary, at 311 Joel Ave., and Woodville Heights Elementary, at 2930 McDowell Rd. Extension.

A date for the demolition has not been set, according to Jackson Public Schools’ website. The district chose to tear down the buildings after the district’s Facilities Repurposing Advisory Committee cited a lack of interest from potential buyers.

“We determined that the economic value and condition of those properties were not strong after a request for interest was issued,” he said in a statement. “We can no longer afford the carrying costs for maintaining the upkeep of the buildings, which have become victims of vandalism.”

The district says it will seek input from the community on what to do with the sites once the buildings are torn down. Options include green spaces, walking trails, and community gardens.
https://www.wlbt.com/2024/04/29/jack...-elementaries/
2 new restaurants coming to the city of Pearl

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PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) - Two new restaurants are headed to the city of Pearl.

Mayor Jake Windham made the announcement on his Facebook page Monday afternoon.

He says that Toasted Yolk and Teriyaki Madness will be built right beside Cavender’s.

According to Toasted Yolk’s website, it is a breakfast and brunch spot that offers a wide array of foods such as omelets, sandwiches, and salads.

Meanwhile, Teriyaki Madness is a fresh Asian grill that serves up made-to-order teriyaki bowls.

https://www.wlbt.com/2024/04/29/2-ne...ng-city-pearl/
Gluckstadt Police Department building set to open in August

Quote:
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Building designs for Gluckstadt’s Police Department are finally set in stone, and construction is underway.

Soon, the department will have a much-needed upgrade.

Brick by brick, the Gluckstadt Police Department’s very own building is being assembled.

“We are excited. This is going to be our police department. We broke ground on it August 9 and they have a year from the time that they break ground to have it finished,” Chief Barry Hale said.

For the last two years, the city’s police department has shared a building with city hall, leaving just two rooms for officers to work out of.

“Kind of difficult sharing the office space with a lot of different officers. You know, I can’t just leave her giant crate in the center of the room. So, I’m having to, you know, take it back and forth while watching her and get it out of the way and bring it back in,” K-9 Handler Eric Huff said.

The new 14,000-square-foot building will allow Officer Eric Huff and his K-9, Bouje, more space to train and work — improving safety in the city.

“It’ll give me a dedicated area where I can store some of her equipment. Whenever I come in to do reports, she’ll be able to come in and have her own little area,” Huff said.

The price tag for the building is just under 8 million dollars and will hold the police department, dispatch, court services, a baby box, and other offices vital to law enforcement.

“We’re going to have several holding cells, hopefully, that we won’t have to use. But we’re also going to have a book in area Sallyport, which we do not have at the other police department and City Hall. It’ll be more efficient and more secure, more safety-wise,” Chief Hale said.

“As far as doing our reports, we’re going to be a bit more organized, because we’re not sharing and all piled on top of each other,” Huff said.

The new building can be found on Gluckstadt Way, just off of Calhoun Station Parkway — giving it a more centralized location to the growing city.
“As the city begins to grow, and more, you know, projects, businesses, and stuff comes we’re going to have to expand our police department,” Chief Hale said.

Chief Hale says his officers will be moving in on August 28.
https://www.wlbt.com/2024/04/29/gluc...t-open-august/
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Flowood Chamber of Commerce welcomes Subway at Grants Ferry









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Flowood Chamber is at Subway.
23m · Flowood ·
Did you hear? Subway at Grants Ferry is back and better than ever! 🥪🌯🥗 We had a great time celebrating their new ownership and renovations with a ribbon cutting! There's still time to redeem their ✨20% Off Grand Re-Opening Special✨ TODAY only!
Local owners Keith Lofton and Trevor Williams look forward to bringing fresh, quality food back to the community they love! Give them a visit today and be sure to ask about their catering services too!
📍 Subway | 626 Grants Ferry Road, Flowood
📞 601-321-9718
https://www.facebook.com/flowoodcham...H2cwoj1mneKYKl
Flowood Chamber of Commerce shares pictures from 2024 Mudbug Bash (Apr. 25)





























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Flowood Chamber added 36 new photos to the album: 2024 Mudbug Bash (Apr. 25).
April 26 at 5:12 PM ·
✅ Beautiful weather at the Flowood Nature Park
✅ Delicious crawfish from Mudbugs 047
✅ Refreshing drinks from Southern Beverage Company
✅ Great music from South of 20
We couldn't have asked for more! Thank you to all who came out and helped us eat *1,400* lbs of crawfish, corn, and potatoes at the 2024 Mudbug Bash! 🦞🎶🌳
Very special thank you to our 2024 Mudbug Bash partners:
Keesler Federal Credit Union
BMARKETED - Benavides, LLC
Community Bank
Cricket Wireless Flowood
Crumbl Cookies Flowood
Delta Waste Solutions
Ergon, Inc.
EventPros
EC Malone Roofing Services
Merit Health
Mudbugs 047
Netlink Voice
Rankin First Economic Development
RCC Roofing and Construction
Restoration 1
Sheraton Flowood The Refuge Hotel & Conference Center
South Breeze LLC
Southern Beverage Company
Stagelite Sound LLC
Storage Max Flowood
T-Mobile Flowood
📸: BL Marketing Co.
https://www.facebook.com/flowoodcham...7A6Zw9oqDhsdRl
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Alcorn State University's Soundsof DynOmite shares pictures from their 2024 Marching Band Banquet



































































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Sounds Of Dyn-O-mite Marching Band
April 26 at 4:07 PM ·
Pics from the 2023-24 Sounds Of Dyn-O-mite Marching Band Banquet. Our students and staff are beautiful and amazing!!!
#all4one #one4all #breakbreadtogether #family #soundsofdynomite #supersoul #turnupwithSOD2024 #connselmer #ludwigmusser #ludwigdrums #ludwig #zildjancymbals #zildjian #remo #remodrumheads #hbcu #hbcubandculture #alcornstateuniversity #alcornstate #alcorn #hbcubands #hbcusmatter #hbcupride #hbcubuzz #hbcuband
https://www.facebook.com/SoundsOfDyn...pgGkkFYdCnZGfl

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Pearl Chamber of Commerce shares pictures from the Pearl Mayor’s 2024 Prayer Breakfast











































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Pearl Chamber of Commerce added 80 new photos to the album: 2024 Pearl Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
20h ·
More pics from the Pearl Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Photos from Tiffany G Photography are always so good!
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p...00064817136120
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Keifer's Madison finally opens, holds ribbon cutting. See hours and menu here

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A rebirth for Keifer's
Wife and husband duo Carly and Kevin Smith own the new Madison location. Growing up just outside of Brookhaven, Kevin has loved Keifer's dishes for a long time.

The new location marks Kevin's first venture into the restaurant business after previously working in IT. Carly, owner of the gift shop BellaChes, in the Renaissance shopping center in Ridgeland, is no stranger to the Madison business scene.

Carly, a Jackson native, said the opportunity to own the new Keifer's is particularly exciting given she loves the original location so much.

Chip Holden, general manager for the new location, called the Madison opening a "rebirth" for Keifer's. The original Keifer's in Jackson has been an established, beloved Mediterranean restaurant in the Metro area for more than 40 years. There is another Keifer's in downtown Jackson located on Capitol Street, which shares a name only with the other two locations.

Holden, who has worked at the Jackson Keifer's for 30 years, will eventually shift all his time to work at the Madison location.

The Madison community has been anxiously anticipating the new location's opening for over a year. Keifer's social media followers commented on almost every post for the past few months asking when the restaurant would open.


Hawkins-Butler, before cutting the ribbon, said the location received countless calls asking the same question in the past few months. The anticipated date was suggested by Keifer's many times on Facebook, but a solid opening remained a moving target.

Holden said the wait was due to the team wanting to make sure everything was perfect before opening. There was some delay as he tried to hire a good team of employees, but now that it's finished, he feels like a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders.

"I slept better last night than I had in months," Holden said, jokingly.

Carly said even though the restaurant may have appeared completely finished from the outside, there were still several moving parts going on inside for the past few months.

Tuesday afternoon, under the bright sun, Hawkins-Butler stood on the Keifer's porch, ready to cut the ribbon. On either side of her stood members of the Madison Keifer's team and Madison government officials including several aldermen, Madison County Board of Supervisors Member Casey Brannon, Mississippi Representative Jill Ford, and several members of the Madison Fire Department.

The Smith's daughter, Ella Smith, 10, greeted the small crowd with a cheery "Thank you for coming," before helping Hawkins-Butler cut the ribbon using oversized gold-painted scissors.

What to expect
The new Keifer's emulates its predecessor is almost every way.

Walking into the Madison location, guests familiar with the original Jackson location may do a double take. The layout is extremely similar to the original Jackson location on Poplar Boulevard. Both are built to look and feel like a family home.

The same wooden doorways, hardwood floors and bookcases dotted with books and knick-knacks set the scene for the new location. The familiar yellow bricks and blue tablecloths paint the oversized wrap-around porch outside.

"We really wanted it to feel like Keifer's," Carly Smith said. "That's part of the why we raised the porch up above the parking lot level, so you still have that porch feel."



The menu, filled with gyros, wraps and fries, will remain the same as the original Jackson location.

There are subtle differences between the old and new location. Besides the newer structure and appliances, Holden said the porch is bigger than that of the Poplar Boulevard Jackson location in order to provide more seating.

This extra seating is much-needed. In the days leading up to its official opening, the Madison Keifer's hosted several soft openings in which guests could sign up for a table online. Every seating was packed. On April 7, Keifer's posted on Facebook a chance to win four tickets to Tuesday's opening event. The post garnered nearly 5,000 comments.

Holden said the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. He said several different people have said everything feels the exact same as the beloved original Jackson location; even the food is the same.

This repetition is not an accident. Holden and the Smith's took steps to ensure the new location would feel exactly like its predecessor. One of the cooks who worked at the original Jackson location for more than 30 years came over to work at the Madison location.
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/...s/73510482007/

More coverage of the news
Video Link
Reaction from the community about JPS decision to tear down 3 abandoned schools in the district
Video Link
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