Jackson Free Press

By early 2012, downtown Jackson will have additional sidewalks and improved green space, Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced today.

The city held a press conference this morning at the corner of Mill and Pascagoula streets to announce the groundbreaking of a $340,000 federally funded project that will create more sidewalks and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project completes the second phase of the city's $1.3 million viaduct-enhancement project, which started at Amite and Capitol streets. This second phase includes sidewalks near the train tracks parallel to Mill Street.

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority, a quasi-government agency, provided matching funds for the project's third phase, which is one block away from the Jackson Convention Center.

"The Jackson Redevelopment Authority stepped up to provide the match, seeing the potential to influence economic development and revitalization in this area," Johnson said.

Johnson said that the project will not include bike lanes, but it will make downtown more pedestrian friendly.

"We want to make sure people have the opportunity to walk in different places downtown," he said. "We are involved in bike trail and walking projects that are on the fringe of downtown."

Johnson added that Environmental Protection Agency has chosen Jackson to be part of the Greening America's Capitals initiative. The city is currently working with Greening America's design team to develop concepts for Congress Street that include two public parks along the street. Johnson said that the goal is to make Congress Street more bike-and pedestrian-friendly.

Mary Troupe, executive director of the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, said that her organization is pleased that the city is moving forward on sidewalks but pointed out that Congress passed the American with Disabilities act 21 years ago.

"The few sidewalks that are in Jackson are in decay and difficult for people with walkers, wheelchairs and people who are blind," Troupe said. "We want to make sure that when they do these projects, they do them to the standard of ADA."

The city will also have a public hearing at City Hall tonight at 6 p.m. on proposed JATRAN route mergers.