news
The proposed plan calls for many elements, including sidewalk planters, enhanced street lighting and the restriping of a section of Main Street to a two-lane road with a center turn lane, bike lanes and parallel parking.
Council approval
Debbie Brangenberg, executive director of DTMSA, said at a public meeting Wednesday that the council’s approval is needed in order for the group to continue to seeking state and federal funding.
“It does not mean we are committed to construction or to do this project as it is,” Brangenberg said. “It just means we can apply.”
About 20 people were at the lunch meeting held at the Hilton Garden Inn. Many of the attendees were DTSMA board members or people who have been involved during the planning stages of the project, such as representatives from the Community Development Foundation, the city’s development services department and the Public Works department.
By the end of the meeting, 12 people, many representing downtown businesses, had signed the petition, including Machelle Pitcock, owner of Ladybug’s and several downtown apartments.
“I think it’s going to benefit downtown,” Pitcock said. “It’s going to be safer for pedestrians and will bring more pedestrians downtown. I think it will recruit businesses that have been on the fence about downtown.”
Enthusiasm for project
Many other attendees expressed enthusiasm for the project, and City Council President Fred Pitts advised them to win over the community.
“If you buy into it, you’ve got to sell everyone else in town,” Pitts said. “This is not just for downtown. This is for all of Tupelo.”
None of the attendees openly objected to plans or raised concerns during the meeting, but Brangenberg alluded that the project has not been supported by everyone.
“A lot of times it’s hard for the community to embrace downtown revitalization efforts when you’re not in panic mode,” she said. “We have been fortunate that we have a downtown that has remained strong. ... The current streetscape we have for downtown is 30, 40 years old. Don’t you think it’s time for a facelift?”
Contact Carlie Kollath at (662) 678-1598 or carlie.kollath@djournal.com.
sandlot1959: "And I've heard not one rational solution to traffic flow problems through down town" - the downtown redevelopment suggestion addresses this problem - you haven't asked the questions or sought answers either - just complaining. Read: http://mainstreettupelo.blogspot.com/ - it addresses the traffic flow problem and makes suggestions. Once Hwy 6 loop is completed, traffic through downtown will slow down - dramatically.
Form a few independent volunteer task forces and don't allow anyone on them that has served on the council, DTSMA, CDF, or any other organization in city planning or management in the last 10 years.
Get some fresh blood, fresh ideas, and throw away the Southern Living magazines.