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During the nineties and up until the current recession stalled construction and land development, the popular civic movement was to the suburbs and off-interstate shopping centers. The Mall at Barnes Crossing is a great example of this move outside of downtown. And while this retail area is no doubt a tremendous boon for Tupelo, cities are still judged and remembered by their downtowns. And for this reason alone, Tupelo’s Fairpark District cannot and will not be allowed to fail. If Tupelo does not have a successful downtown, we will become just another small ghost town like many once-thriving cities all around our state.
To address the standstill in economic development and the future of Tupelo’s downtown jewel which is Fairpark, a group of citizens with diverse professional backgrounds recently held a retreat (on their own time and at no taxpayer expense). While various ideas came out of this meeting, three that have merit, which could shape the future of downtown and our region, came about with real possibilities.
- First, Tupelo along with Lee County representatives should move to create an Action Group with citizens from various local and professional committees, such as Major Thoroughfare, CDF, the Lee County Board of Supervisors, the City Council and other stakeholders, to see where we can work together to solve much of the long-range planning and economic development issues surrounding the area. Items as simple as finding concurrent and duplicative expenses to eliminate for costs savings to things as complicated as building a new Lee County-Tupelo Library, possibly in Fairpark, could (and should) be explored.
- Second, while studies of varying costs seem to be discussed often these days, we must do our homework before committing the valuable Fairpark entertainment section in front of the Hilton Garden Inn to a certain direction. Ideas ranging from a new high school baseball field to a state of the art swimming facility to an IMAX theater and a “House of Blues”-style location with an Elvis review for tourists, local entertainment for music and even gospel shows on Sundays, have all been batted around. But to truly know what is feasible for our demographic reach, an in-depth study within the economic environment we have must take place. Better to do some research and get it right for the long view than to build something on the quick that is not feasible once the “newness” wears off.
- Finally worth noting is a revisiting of the residential area. Questions of how we price the area for everyone from young professionals to baby boomers wanting to downsize were discussed. And while there is no silver bullet answer, the Tupelo Redevelopment Agency has been charged with looking into some creative ideas and incentives for jumpstarting Fairpark’s residential phases.
With everything from environmental house building competitions through our state universities, to new incentives and creative leasing options that make this area attractive for people looking for a more urban life style, all options that still make good financial sense for the city are on the table. Stay tuned; as the economy thaws we should see some creative actions taking place to bring a larger population cluster to Fairpark.
The economy has flattened and we are waiting for the “up curve” to begin. Fairpark is weathering the storm. The attractiveness of our downtown depends on it – and you as well. As taxpaying citizens and bond debtors of the city, we all have a vested interest in the continued success of Fairpark and its surrounding businesses.
Visit www.fairparkdistrict.com and look around and email your thoughts and ideas. Fairpark is your downtown – be proud and be a part of it.
John Oxford is a banker who resides in Tupelo. He writes every other month as a community columnist. Contact
him at john_oxford@hotmail.com.
Your points are well taken, also.
I agree, the market is a good planner. Obviously development has slowed everywhere. But if you drive through our downtown (I am sorry, Downtown Tupelo, seeing as you would not claim a city or town), you will find that the streets and sidewalks are well-maintained, very little litter is about, and I think the taxes in that area are no higher than the rest of Tupelo, they may even have tax incentives. As far as "planned developments" go, I know what you are referring to when you mention theme parks, but having a plan is never a bad thing. . So yes, the government is already doing many of your suggested recommendations. But I don't think the fairpark folks are going to just say "buy a lot and do what you want with it". Additionally, affordable does not mean cheap, it could mean smaller, but I saw no inference of a multi-family development in this story
I guess you live off the land on your family ranch; milk from the cow, vegetables and fruit from the garden, and whatever you are able to hunt or slaughter for your meat. And I am glad to hear that you are not a tattooed and pierced up necrophiliac pedophile. Also, you like to joke about the Pope and his vow of celibacy. I am glad that in your hermit-like life, you still have time for humor! That is great, but if you decide to go to the city to get some groceries, go eat at a restaurant, or buy some fuel, remember, that store didn't just happen to end up there, there was a PLAN. I agree you are welcome to an opinion, which is one of the great things about our country, but to refer to an urban renewal project as a government boondoggle is disheartening.
Since you love equine and old sayings, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink” comes to mind. No one is forcing development, or seems to be rushing it. Instead, it appears that they want to keep us informed, and are asking for our input, which I greatly appreciate.
The Market is a pretty good planner, and will eventually have its way. The best thing government can do is to keep the streets and sidewalks repaired, trash cleaned up, and taxes low enough to encourage businesses to give it a shot. Except for upscale yuppie neighborhoods that seem more like theme parks than places where people live, the planned developments always seem to fizzle out.
Ain't for me to tell you city wannabees how to spend the taxpayers' money. I live in the middle of family land. Can relax on a Sunday afternoon and neither see nor hear another human being. Never understood why anyone would want to have sex with a child, a dead person, one of the same sex; get a tattoo or body piercing; or choose to live in town.
Just 'cause the Pope doesn't play the game doesn't mean he can't have an opinion about sex, does it?
Volunteers from our community are making efforts ("on their own time and at no taxpayer expense") to insure that the plan is carefully laid out, in order for a successful and vibrant community to develop. I think the idea of an action committee to join together in order to plan, and save money by combining resources, is a great one.
As far as your negative outlook, Woolhat, what is your genius plan for development? Or are you one that simply enjoys critiquing other peoples' efforts, while you sit back and do nothing?
Slice it anyway you will, "Fairpark" still comes out as a sterile, governmental boondoggle. Who'd want to live in such a place??? Reminds one of the description of a mule's ancestry: "No pride in his heritage, no hope for his posterity..."
As for the "affordable residence" pipe dream: I remember when the Ida Street - Lawndale area was an "affordable" residential area. Look at it now. What will happen to the viability of Fairpark if too much "affordable" housing enter the mix?