Jackson Free Press

Hinds County Supervisors opened bids today on a roughly $240,000 beautification project for Highway 80. The road, which runs through South Jackson, was once a major commercial thoroughfare and business center, but is now a prime example of blight in the city, dotted with dilapidated and vacant buildings. The area is also the subject of a $500,000 economic development and revitalization study commissioned by Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. in November and scheduled for completion in August.

"This project is very significant to the Highway 80 businesses as well as the citizens that live in the area," said Supervisor Peggy Calhoun, whose district includes the Highway 80 corridor. "All of them are looking forward to seeing the landscaping."

Supervisors voted unanimously to bid the project after Calhoun reported that state officials have given it their approval. District 1 Supervisor Robert Graham expressed concern that the landscaping use perennial plants, rather than annuals that the county would have to replace every year. Calhoun assured him that the project design called for perennials.

The project, designed by Weatherford-McDade architects, calls for new planting and resurfacing of the median strips along the Highway. The county has budgeted $200,000 for constructions costs and $40,000 for architectural designs.

Supervisors entered executive session around 11 a.m. to discuss inmate medical expenses and a personnel matter concerning the Hinds County Election Commission and a state auditor's report. As of 1 p.m., they were still deliberating in executive session.

Supervisors are also scheduled to vote on whether to extend tax exemptions for several businesses, including Saks Incorporated, Pinnacle Place, Gulf State Canners and Belk. The Hinds County Economic Development District has recommended that the board not extend the tax breaks for Saks and Gulf State Canners. Both businesses received five-year exemptions for multi-million dollar improvements in 2009.

Previous Comments

ID

154418

Comment

I'd be happy if they repaint the lines on it. I'm not asking for much here.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-12-21T14:00:13-06:00