“Think of an area where you park your car, and you can walk to everything. You’ll have shopping places, maybe a grocery store or theater,” said city spokesperson Greg Flynn.
The city partnered with Mississippi Main Street Association to help with downtown development. Pearl has never had a “traditional downtown,” area, so the city is starting from scratch and created a map of what they will call Midtown. It will span from Pearson Road to Bierdeman Road, up to Highway 80, back to Old Brandon Road, near City Hall.
Flynn said the plan includes clearing property around Pearl City Hall, which is already owned by the city and sell off some parcels to private businesses to bring in restaurants, stores, townhomes and more.
“This is absolutely fantastic. The idea the rendering of what could be down here, it’s amazing. I mean, it will rival anywhere else that has a mixed-use town,” Flynn said.
“I think it will be great for Pearl, resident James Purvis said. “I think having the opportunity to have more diversity and bringing more business, I think it will be a great idea.”
Flynn said the work currently underway is being done by the city’s Public Works Department.
“The rest will be private sector investment,” Flynn said.
A public hearing is set for Oct. 3 at the Board of Aldermen meeting, where a zoning overlay will be presented. Once that is approved, the city will be able to give a timeline as to when the project is expected to be completed and how much it will cost.
Source : WAPT