Jackson Free Press

Residents near Fortification Street will see construction crews breaking ground next week in preparation for a dramatic renovation.

Local gas supplier Atmos Energy is kicking off a major widening of sidewalks and other traffic-calming renovations by relocating some gas lines and replacing others, says Virgi Lindsay, Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation executive director.

Atmos is contracting Miller Pipeline for the work, which precedes city contractors moving in with their own dirt turners later this year. Construction on the $15 million endeavor is expected to take more than a year, with work on water mains and power lines comprising the brunt of initial construction. The city is funding the project through a 2003 bond issue, a federal earmark and a 2003 federal highway safety bill.

Lindsay told the Jackson Free Press that the project has been long in coming. Members of the neighborhood association had its first meeting with Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. on the prospect as far back as 2001. Johnson soon came onboard with the plan, but funding for the renovation remained a problem for years.

The road alteration requires no expansion of the street onto bordering property, but sidewalks will expand into the street, reducing the road to three lanes--two opposing lanes and one turning lane. The city will also add new, decorative street lighting and bury some of the power lines.

Critics complained that the development would discourage commuter traffic into the area by slowing down travel along the road, although pedestrian-friendly local residents seem to overwhelmingly approve the renovation.

Lindsay warned that local residents might experience some temporary inconvenience of electricity and gas service loss at some point over the 18-month lifespan of the construction.

Possible New Look for County Line?

Jackson officials are considering a commercial overlay district that restricts certain businesses from opening along Jackson's municipal side of County Line Road.

The ordinance, proposed by Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell, is similar to the restrictive district requirements set by the neighboring city of Ridgeland on the north side of the county border road. The new ordinance sets standards for the appearance of new buildings and requires new construction to include sidewalks and bicycle amenities. 

The ordinance also restricts the opening of some businesses including adult bookstores, pawn shops, check cashers and short-term loaners, carwashes, and laundromats, among other businesses.

The Jackson side of County Line Road, like the Ridgeland side, already features at least one check-cashing business—Agave—which may be grandfathered in. The nature of city zoning does not ensure that a new owner of the check-cashing business will be able to use the building as another check casher.

(Whitwell's effort to restrict payday lenders' access to the area is ironic in one way: He registered in 2011 with the secretary of state's office as a lobbyist for payday lenders Cash in a Flash and Advantage Capital Partners.)

City spokesman Chris Mims said he did not know Johnson's initial reaction to the overlay proposal. The mayor has advocated for more strict building and business codes along Highway 80, in West Jackson, as part of a revitalization effort in that section of the city.

Previous Comments

ID

163914

Comment

(Whoops: posted on wrong one.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-06-28T12:39:24-06:00

ID

163931

Comment

Another example of Whitwell's efforts to "manage" Harvey Johnson.

Author

GeoRoss

Date

2011-06-29T15:06:00-06:00

ID

163935

Comment

As a resident of Belhaven Heights, I am pleased to hear this report. I know it will be a hassle and probably take longer than expected, but I do believe the net result will be beneficial to the neighborhoods surrounding this area.

Author

Izzy

Date

2011-06-29T16:56:23-06:00

ID

163947

Comment

I am very excited to see this project get underway. It will greatly improve access to the Baptist Hospital area when completed.

Author

BobbyKearan

Date

2011-06-30T08:54:20-06:00

ID

163949

Comment

Geo, how is Whitwell trying to manage HJ by restricting pay day lenders on County line? Was Tony Yarber managing HJ a few weeks ago when he asked the Council to not allow another strip mall in his district? Whitwell is out there advocating for his Ward, engaging in new media, talking to his constituents. I may not agree with everything he does, but he's accessible, which is more to say than a few of the other councilmen.

Author

RobbieR

Date

2011-06-30T10:38:56-06:00