Downtown Development

[justme]

What are some of the reasons people don't like the idea of revitalizing the downtown area? I see many posts regarding the Train Depot and the Rails to Trails in which people are not viewing these projects as positive reviatalization of the downtown area. The lighting project, the train depot and the rails to trails are all projects that will help the downtown area grow and attract visitors and businesses.

I just want to flush out some of the reasons why people don't view these as "valuable" (for the lack of a better word) project.

[R1ZOOM]

I think one problem people see with them is the lack of immediate use. Sure, I'm thrilled about the train depot, I love trains. I'm also excited about rails to trails running into downtown. However, how much is the depot really going to be used? I think the projects are a great start for downtown, and I'd love to see downtown really take off, but there just seem to be so many hangups in the way. We might not even have passenger rail service here in the next few years. Additionally, there are no bus lines that go downtown, and none of them have committed to at this point, so the depot is essentially more of a museum than a useable, intermodal transportation facility. The downtown project I am most excited about is the Coca Cola bottling company plant venue that is being remodeled. I think that it could really tie up some loose ends for downtown. If the rails to trails runs down close to it, and there's a trolley, that would be a great place for college kids to go without having to worry about driving back to campus. Additionally, other patrons could park at USM and ride the trolley into downtown to go to this club. I think it could really open up downtown Hattiesburg at night, and to businesses that would comliment the club, especially if it is successful and follows a "House of Blues" type atmosphere, with decent artists performing. Just my $.02

[justme]

I agree that the addition of the new venue will be great for downtown. I anxiously await the opening- and hope that they get some really good entertainment. I had heard that a resturant was going in the Depot.

Thanks for your comments.

[R1ZOOM]

Hwak agrees: I was trying to give you a point for this post but the machine say de Hawk has been too generious lately.

thank you for your efforts Hawk

[Wayward]

What are some of the reasons people don't like the idea of revitalizing the downtown area? I see many posts regarding the Train Depot and the Rails to Trails in which people are not viewing these projects as positive revitalization of the downtown area. The lighting project, the train depot and the rails to trails are all projects that will help the downtown area grow and attract visitors and businesses.

I just want to flush out some of the reasons why people don't view these as "valuable" (for the lack of a better word) project.
I'll flip your question and tell you why I think projects of this type are valuable. Downtown redevelopment is all about anchors (to define the area) and destinations (to get folks there).

Important anchors are the train depot on the south end and the old high school building on the north end. The train depot will be an effective anchor and destination with a restaurant(s), meeting space, railroad museum, transportation, etc. The old high school will become an effective anchor and destination if the Southern Miss Department of Art and Design plan moves forward.

The Long Leaf Trace coming downtown and improved downtown lighting are key elements in getting folk to the destinations ... galleries, restaurants, clubs, festivals, etc. It's a complex puzzle that requires true vision.

I think the pieces are moving into place. :smt023

Wayward

[justme]

Many people just don't have the vision!

[aaron]

I agree with the downtown development and love to walk around downtown nowadays. I'd also love to see some of these "anchors" spread around throughout the city limits though. I'm glad the convention center is on the intersection of 59/49, but I'd love to see some things on 98W where most of the revenue is generated and most of the city's visitors go.

[Tully Mars]

I'll flip your question and tell you why I think projects of this type are valuable. Downtown redevelopment is all about anchors (to define the area) and destinations (to get folks there).

Important anchors are the train depot on the south end and the old high school building on the north end. The train depot will be an effective anchor and destination with a restaurant(s), meeting space, railroad museum, transportation, etc. The old high school will become an effective anchor and destination if the Southern Miss Department of Art and Design plan moves forward.

The Long Leaf Trace coming downtown and improved downtown lighting are key elements in getting folk to the destinations ... galleries, restaurants, clubs, festivals, etc. It's a complex puzzle that requires true vision.

I think the pieces are moving into place. :smt023

Wayward

Excellent comments Wayward. Development or redevelopment of any area cannot happen without considering the context of the whole.

What you are seeing with respect to downtown revitalization is a comprehensive approach that is not only considering the fate of buildings in dissrepair. It is also considering multiple modes of transportion, parking, public safety, etc. It is also important to note that the majority of revitalization that has taken place to date has been primarily driven by private sector dollars.

[Susan from H'burg]

I think that one of the main problems downtown is lack of parking. This issue has been brought up many times in the past, but there doesn't seem to be a good solution.

[Wayward]

I think that one of the main problems downtown is lack of parking. This issue has been brought up many times in the past, but there doesn't seem to be a good solution.
Susan,

Hmmmm. Interesting point. There are parking studies underway. I'd appreciate an example or two of places you might want to go downtown for which you cannot find parking within a couple of blocks. It might help me understand the problem you describe. I'm downtown frequently for meetings, eating, galleries, book store, events at the Saenger, etc. and parking does not seem to be a major problem.

Wayward

[SoMissTV]

I'm concerned that many don't have a clear vision of the final product. Eaglepalooza was a good example of this. There were many who did not want thousands of beer-drinking college students downtown; those who think that light opera should be the extent of entertainment in the downtown area. Likewise, there were many who couldn't understand that musicals aren't dead yet, and were upset that beer and liquor was being sold in the streets (don't tell me about Mugshots; technically, the beer should not have been allowed outside the roped area). It seems that there are two types of visions for downtown: A gallery and fine dining district, and an entertainment district geared towards college students. Right now, people want college students downtown, but don't want to allow alcohol sales in the street, and college students would go to an entertainment district, but not one that has gallerys that close at 5pm, and only two bars. Decisions need to be made as to how downtown should flourish, and I'm not entirely sure that's been done. Look at the Farish St development in Jackson (if it ever happens). The majority of business development will be restaurants, entertainment venues, and bars. Same with Beale St. This will attract the college student, but art galleries don't do so well. So the question I pose is this: what is the vision for downtown Hattiesburg, and how do you mix the two very distinct consumer groups in a way that is appealing to both?

[Buggy]

By the way, has anyone heard anything about how the fundraising for the emergency repairs for the old high school building are going?