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MAYORAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Working with Mississippi State University and county, state and federal governments on a $35 million project to restore the Grand Opera House of Mississippi and develop the Riley Education and Performing Arts Center in a historic downtown property.
  • Selection of Meridian as site for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center.
  • Completion of Northeast Park, a $1.5 million softball, soccer and tennis complex.
  • Implementation of a $20 million master plan to upgrade the freshwater and wastewater treatment systems, including construction of an additional freshwater plant.
  • Continued improvements at the 3,300 acre, city-owned Bonita Lakes recreation area.
  • Recruitment of the CBL mall development firm to construct an $85 million regional mall that was opened in October, 1997.
  • Development and construction of the $7 million Union Station multi-modal transportation center.
  • Implementation of a nearly $1 million development program in a targeted neighborhood. Improvements included demolition, relocation, home rehabilitations and new home construction.
  • Development of a Public Safety Training facility, with state-of-the-art training sites and equipment for police officers and firefighters.
  • Opening of two Community Resource Offices or precincts as part of the Police Department's community-oriented policing strategy.
  • Assisting the Navy Meridian Team in its successful efforts in 1995 and 2005 to remove Naval Air Station Meridian from the Base Realignment and Closure Commission's closure list.
  • Construction of the Dumont Plaza, a downtown gathering place for community events.
  • Development of an award-winning comprehensive program of handicap accessibility and ADA compliance.
  • Negotiating a historic agreement with the county board of supervisors for $2 million worth of paving work inside the city.
  • Development of a project with NAS Meridian and the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development Department for construction of a $7 million, city-owned sewage treatment plant to serve NAS.
  • Implementation of an $800,000 flood control project in a high traffic business district off Interstates 20-59.
  • Construction of $7 million parking garage to support the Riley Education and Performing Arts Center.
  • Recruitment of Super Wal-Mart and Super Lowe's.
  • Development of incentive package to encourage subdivision development inside the city.
  • Assistance in securing $17.3 million in HUD HOPE VI grants for development of low to middle income duplex and single-family housing.
  • Construction of new Central Fire Station for the Meridian Fire Department.
  • Securing state-approved jobs incentives package, already resulting in development of 150+ jobs in call center in Meridian.
  • Established municipal Department of Homeland Security, the first in the state.

 

RAIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Crescent Corridor Coalition successful in restoring seven-day a week Amtrak service along route.
  • National Forum on the Future of Passenger Rail crafted recommendations that served as framework for Amtrak Reauthorization Bill.
  • Worked to secure new Viewliners on Amtrak Crescent, recommended changes in food service and marketing strategies. Crescent ridership has increased by 60 percent.
  • Instrumental in developing plan outlining high-speed rail along three Southern corridors.
  • Led drive to construct City of Meridian Union Station, $7 million historic restoration project and multi-modal transportation center.
  • October 1997, Chairman of Railroad Camporee, 300 Boy Scouts studied rail issues to earn merit badges.
  • Instrumental in designation of Gulf Coast High Speed Rail Corridor.
  • Leader in creation of the Crescent Promotional Office, a regional market strategy to boost ridership and revenues.

 

 

 
 
City of Meridian • 2412 7th Street • P.O. Box 1430 • Meridian, MS 39302