Starkville’s Main Street Redesign Advances towards a More Pedestrian-Friendly Scene
Starkville’s Main Street is all set to undergo a significant, pedestrian-friendly redesign. Residents can expect the initiation of construction work on the project by the start of the next year.
Project for a More Inclusive Downtown
Mayor Lynn Spruill expressed optimism about the project, believing that it would prove beneficial for local businesses, attract more people to the downtown area and align with the plans and objectives of the local university. She hailed the project as one worth waiting for, justifying the fund allocation and temporary disruption it might cause.
The Main Street Master Plan, approved by the city’s board of aldermen in 2022, outlines plans for wider sidewalks near Main Street businesses, introducing trees along the street’s edge, and removing the right turn lane on Montgomery Street. The plan also features a reorientation of parking spaces with slanted parking being replaced with parallel parking to accommodate larger sidewalks.
Phases of the Main Street Redesign Project
The Mayor revealed that the project is split into two phases. Phase one, kicking off in January, will span from City Hall to Jackson Street and include the intersection at Montgomery Street. However, the roll-out of phase two, which covers the area from Jackson Street to Montgomery Street, hinges on future financing.
Funding for the Redesign
Ward 2 Alderwoman and budget chair Sandra Sistrunk shared that they have approximately $9.5 million, encompassing cash and committed funds, for this project. She detailed recent allocations from the state legislature and other funding sources, contributing substantially to this budget. While hopeful that this sum would cover phase one costs, Sistrunk admitted that the city is still seeking potential sources of funding for phase two of the project.
Project Progress So Far
Reporting on the current status of the project, Associate City Engineer and Project Manager Chris Williams disclosed that the city is presently waiting to finalize an environmental review required by the HUD grant. However, drawings for Phase 1 are nearly 90% complete. He informed that the plans will be presented to contractors for bids in October, and construction is expected to start early next year.
The city carried out preliminary work to prepare Main Street for the redesign with a project upgrading water and sewer lines, funded by American Rescue Plan Act. The road was briefly repaired after the underground work, with more extensive repaving planned upon completion of the above-ground work.
Parking Concerns and Solutions in Action
When the proposed redesign to the board in 2021, there were concerns about the potential loss of parking spaces due to the project. Williams estimated that only about seven parking spots would be lost during Phase 1. He revealed that the new design also incorporates additional parking on side streets, such as Montgomery and Lampkin streets.
Mayor Spruill too is considering a longer-term solution, like a small parking garage downtown. However, no plans for its location or funding are in place yet.
In conclusion, the Main Street redesign project promises to revitalize Starkville’s downtown area by making it more pedestrian-friendly and benefitting local businesses. While parking concerns have been considered in the new design, the city continues to seek potential long-term solutions and funding for phase two of the project.
