Laurel Express, the local Main Street Program, and the Mississippi Main Street Association will be hosting a Downtown Laurel Revitalization Workshop next week.
Jacqueline Lee, director of Laurel Express, said the local Main Street Program will be hosting the state representatives as a part of the week-long revitalization workshop.
Lee said Laurel Express and the Mississippi Main Street Association will hold a Downtown Laurel Revitalization Workshop beginning July 20 focused on the beautification and economic development of downtown Laurel.
“The workshop team will conduct interviews with Laurel Express committees, as well as the general public throughout the week to help formulate a master plan to redevelop downtown both long and short term,” according to Lee. “A team of 10 professionals will conduct a week-long workshop in which they will provide marketing and design solutions for the historical district.”
Lee said the Economic Development Authority of Jones County is also helping to sponsor the revitalization workshop.
According to officials, companies involved in the workshop include Arnett Muldrow and Associates from Greenville, S.C., The LandPlan Group South from South Carolina, Mahan Rykiel Associates from Baltimore, and the Mississippi Main Street Association.
The members of the workshop team will include: Randy Wilson, an architect with MMSA; Tripp Muldrow with urban planning; Ben Muldrow with marketing/branding; Rick McMackin, a landscape architecture; Evan Wilson, a landscape architecture; Tom McGilloway, a landscape architecture; Nathan Scott, a landscape design; Stacy Pair with MMSA; Jan Miller with MMSA; and Sam Agnew with MMSA.
Lee said two public sessions will be held at the Laurel Train Depot on North Maple Street in downtown Laurel during the week of the workshop. She said the first session will be a Public Input Session on Tuesday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m.
“The public is invited and encouraged to attend,” she said. “The workshop team will welcome ideas and concerns about the downtown area to help target their design efforts.”
Lee said all are welcome to participate in the workshop.
“We are encouraging the public to participate in this process,” she said. “Those who attend the event will contribute their ideas to the revitalization of downtown Laurel.”
Lee said the revitalization workshop is being provided to Laurel Express as a benefit of membership in the Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) and in conjunction with a design workshop for Heidelberg.
The City of Laurel officially became designated as a Mississippi Main Street community in March 2008.
Other Mississippi communities that have recently received similar revitalization workshops include Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Picayune, Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Carthage, Holly Springs, Water Valley and Eupora.
Lee said the final product from the workshop will include a timeline of goals for Laurel Express, as well as marketing materials for downtown Laurel and for the Loblolly Festival that will be held in downtown on Oct. 3.
She said the Public Presentation, where the team members will present their final designs and analysis, will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 23.
Lee said she hopes the workshop will provide some new ideas for the local community.
Anyone needing more information about the tour or Laurel Express can contact Lee at (601) 433-3255 or go to the organization’s website at www.laurelexpress.org, where a full schedule of events can also be found.
Local News
Public input wanted in downtown Laurel revitalization
- Local News
-
-
Police investigate several burglaries on Euclid Avenue
The Laurel Police Department has taken two people into custody as the police department continues to investigate several burglaries which have occurred in the Euclid Avenue area.
-
Rotarians see huge success
The Laurel Rotary Club saw a great turnout as they sold hundreds of spaghetti plates Saturday during its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser.
-
Arrest made in ‘fire victim’ scam case
Local law enforcement authorities have arrested the man suspected of a number of scams in Jones and neighboring counties.
-
Council to discuss pay increase
The Laurel City Council next week will once again consider granting a change concerning the city’s building inspector.
-
Agriculture is big business in Miss.
Business and industry leaders, as well as Jones County Junior College students, gathered at Ronald E. Whitehead Advanced Technology Center Thursday for the college’s 7th Annual Economic and Technology Symposium.
-
American Red Cross looking for local volunteers
The East Central Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for a few good men, women, boys and girls to join its team of disaster volunteers.
-
Annual Rotary Club Spaghetti dinner Saturday
The Laurel Rotary Club will conduct its annual Spaghetti dinner this weekend at the YWCO.
-
Officials pleased with Chancellor’s appointment
At 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Lance Chancellor became the new executive director of the Jones County Emergency Management Agency.
-
Get ready for control burns in the area
Area motorists and residents may notice a lot of smoke coming from some of the county’s heavily wooded areas in the coming weeks.
-
Heidelberg has a new police chief
A longtime Jasper Countian has been named the head law enforcement official in this Jasper County town.
Huey Powe is now the Police Chief for the Town of Heidelberg. - More Local News Headlines
-
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
