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Proposals move forward for downtown Tupelo
A conceptual image of what downtown Tupelo could look like if a traffic plan and beautification strategy are implemented
The Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association is moving forward on a beautification plan for downtown that includes a reworked traffic flow, additional plant life, decorative street lights and amenities for pedestrians and cyclists. This is a rendering from RPM Transportation Consultants of what Main Street could look like if the proposed changes are implemented.
The preferred traffic plan includes a proposal to restripe Main Street from Green Street to Front Street to three lanes. The center lane will be a dedicated turn lane. Each side of the road also will have a bike lane and on-street parking.
Read more about the beautification plan in the Sunday Journal.
For a closer look at the proposals, go to our flickr stream to see the images.
« jmtyes wrote on Sunday, Jan 17 at 11:35 PM »
I really have a problem with this mainly because why fix the street when u have nothing (no stores open) in the main part of town to go and shop. People try and buy building but the bank wont give anyone a chance. I dont feel like my town will prosper with adding all these street lights and nice pavement on the main street. That just glitz and people are not about to explore when the rest of your streets look like s**t.
« hkrjr@bellsouth.net wrote on Sunday, Jan 17 at 09:34 AM »
All this about making Main Street more user friendly is fine and dandy but much more attention needs to be focused on the Mall at Barnes Crossing area. This area has become a "confunction juction" of the worst kind. The area is in desperate need of some traffic flow restructuring. Even during non peak times, traffic flow is awful. I live in the area and I have to navigate through this mess everyday. Traffic every year is getting worse and there are more and more wrecks occurring. So, let the city leaders look more towards alleviating a more pressing problem than one that is not presently one.
« sandlot1959 wrote on Sunday, Jan 17 at 02:34 PM »
In my opinion, this type of plan can work in a Memphis or New Orleans where there are routes around the shopping area that don't cause congestion and incovenience. But Tupelo is neither of those cities and this plan will benefit downtown merchants (Reed's etc) at the expense of everyone else who travels through that area every single day. The idea sounds GREAT but its obvious that our downtown area is too contracted to handle this type of further contraction...I'm afraid its burden will only be realized by those in power, ONCE its already been done...THEN we will have an entirely new problem with few or no options to fix it...
Downtown groups look to 'create a sense of place'
http://nems360.com/bookmark/5571644
Proposed street changes in Tupelo raise questions
http://nems360.com/bookmark/5582281
I see very few big trucks on the Trace, and travel it fairly often. Also, I would imagine that truckers know how to read road signs.
With the government agencies comment, I was referring to MDOT, MDA, etc. in regards to Highway 6. DTMSA and CDF seem to be the primary voices in the planning of the Main St. improvements, along with a consultant company. Theses agencies are strong proponents of economic development. They do not make decisions on a whim. They look at what will create a better place to live, as well as attract investment and/or business.
As far as the bike or walk paths go, creating an alternative to driving is not a bad thing, and cheaper than a public transit system. I was specifically referring to incorporating the rest of our city, not just downtown.
You make a good point of the ability of businesses to weather the disruption, but it can't be much worse than traffic running at 40-50 mph. The environment can be improved. I know businesses are what make a downtown thrive and we are lucky to have some strong businesses downtown - bank headquarters, law firms, architecture firms, retail establishments, restaurants, etc, many of which are members of CDF and DTMSA, who happen to be two of the groups that have played a role in this plan. I have had no role in any of this, other than that of a proud citizen and a commenter on this site. I have had the pleasure of living in other places with more business friendly downtowns and walk paths, and would love to see Tupelo develop more in that direction.
The water tower money is something I don't know much about. What benefit does it have? Isn't it listed as part of the Elvis tour? It does seem like a cause that maybe should have been funded by a preservation group. But what would the cost of taking it down be? If it is ignored, it could create a hazard. I don't know.
On the airport, I think there is more to the extension than has been said. The way the vote flew through the council when first brought up made me think there may be something big (economic development wise) tied to it.
On a separate note, could you attempt to make your statements more reader friendly? Your random thoughts, spacing and general ramblings are difficult to follow. I know I am no Albert Einstein, but I would think with a handle like "E=mc2", you would try to write a little more legibly ...recluse yourself?!? You want the mayor to hide in a hermit-like fashion?
I haven't noticed a change in traffic light timing since our newly elected mayor has taken office. I do agree that bike paths and sidewalks should be looked at city wide, not just downtown. A system of paths throughout the city would be nice, and could promote the healthy living plan.
I am glad to see that the folks downtown are making efforts to make our downtown a better, more inviting place. Too many city centers let themselves go, almost to the point of no return, before they make efforts to improve. Look at our state capitol, many buildings have been vacated so long it will take major funds to get back a strong city center. I personally am not a fan of ghost towns that appear in many Mississippi downtown areas, and am proud that ours is moving forward.
Whether you believe it or not, Tupelo is progressing.
Also in Sunday's paper, we have a story about the ongoing project in downtown Gulfport and the group's advice for Tupelo.
http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/main-street-news/2009/august/members-only/trees-mean-business.html
http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/main-street-news/story-of-the-week/2009/walkability-and-wealth.html