Commission Grants Request For Renovation
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WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley Historic Preservation Commission granted approval for three projects in the city including an estimated half million dollar renovation at Sprint Mart, a sign on a new Chinese restaurant and a mural on the Water Valley Main Street Association building.
The Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) were approved unanimously by the six-member board during a 90-minute Zoom meeting Monday night. The request for the COA was filed by Sprint Mart in November for planned work that includes a new brick store-front and facade, a complete interior update and remodel, and a small expansion.
“This project is part of a company-wide reimage process that we have been going through for two years now,” Sprint Mart representative Matt White told commissioners. “This is a significant project, if we can get it done for under a half-million dollars, I would be shocked,” White added. “We don’t do stuff on the cheap.”
Fielding questions before the vote, White noted that the redesign will incorporate a zero-step entrance with parking in front of the building. He also told commissioners that the large canopy that covers the gas pumps has already been pulled back from the building in preparation for work on the new store-front.
“In that process we installed LED lighting on the canopy and reimaged the fascia,” White reported about the canopy.
White added that the proposed work also includes expanding the sales floor by pushing the walk-in coolers on the north end of the store outside the building.
“Where the doors lie, in the future will be in line with the exterior wall and the cooler itself will be outside,” White explained.
“Please express to your fellow management team how much we appreciate Sprint Mart doing this. It is a significant investment… and you will see the town will really appreciate it,” commissioner president Mickey Howley noted after the vote.
Next on the agenda was Liz Reynolds, the owner of the building at 502 North Main Street where Chop Sticks Chinese Restaurant will be located.
Reynolds explained that she is assisting the restaurant owner navigate the steps to get the business open.
“We are going to have a very authentic Chinese restaurant,” she told commissioners.
The COA was filed for facade work that includes signage and an awing. Reynolds’ initial request on behalf of the restaurant owner for a 16 by four foot sign on the front of the building was downsized after commissioners noted that the city’s zoning ordinance restricts the square footage to 30 square feet based on the width of the front of the building. The smaller sign was approved by commissioners and the request for an awning was tabled until a style of awning is presented at a later meeting.
Although not related to the COA, Reynolds said work on the building included pouring a new surface on the floor of the building, and an ADA complaint bathroom and front entrance as part of the complete remodel. She also said her investment will include work on the city-owned parking lot on the north side of the building to help protect the building from vehicles and accommodate a walk-up window for food pickup.
The final COA was granted to the Water Valley Main Street Association for a wedge mural that will be painted on the south side of the Main Street office at 207 North Main.
Main Street Director Alyssa Benedict provided details about the mural, explaining that project started in 2019. She reported a grant from Mississippi Main Street Association will fund the project that will promote local restaurants on Main Street. The mural was designed by Erika Walden and will be painted by Hannah McCormick.
Commissioners attending the meeting included Howley, Nicolas Trepanier, Leigh Ann Black, Ryan Walker, Cinnamon Foster and Robbie Fisher.
About The District
The Water Valley Historic Preservation District was established by city ordinance in February, 2020, to preserve the unique qualities, character and charm of Water Valley, as well as to guide the orderly growth and development within the district. The district contains the commercial core of Water Valley, along Main Street roughly from Young Street on the south to Market Street on the north. The district covers the east and west sides of Main Street along with the streets surrounding the county courthouse east of Main Street.
Any owner or tenant of property in the historical district who wishes to alter the exterior aspects of any resource contained within the locally designated Historic District must not only file all applicable city permits, but also complete and file a COA application as well. Forms are available at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall.