New Signs Are Part Of Main Street Streetscape Project
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Mayor Tommy Reynolds checks on progress as Williams and Company Construction, a locally owned business, started installation of new decorative street signs in the Main Street business district Monday. The crew (from right) Austin Williams, Mayor Tommy Reynolds, owner Mac Williams, Walker Tedford, Cade Gray, Rowdy Williams and Jonas expect to have the new signs installed by Wednesday. The Water Valley Main Street Association funded the project through grants.
WATER VALLEY – Work started Monday on a streetscape project that has been in the works for almost two years that includes replacing all of the street signs and stop signs in the Main Street Business District.
Water Valley Main Street Director Alyssa Benedict provided an update on the project during the July 2 city board meeting, explaining the new signs will be installed from the bridge adjacent to Crawford Sports Complex on South Main to the triangle in front First Baptist Church. Street signs will also be replaced on Railroad Street, from Wood Street to Blackmur and four temporary signs at City Park.
Mac Williams (left) and Cade Gray check to make sure the new decorative street sign is level.
The streetscape project also includes bump outs along Main Street, cross walks and wayfinding signage. The project is funded through a $100,000 Revitalization Grant awarded to the Water Valley Main Street Association after the Mississippi Main Street Association received legislative funding for accredited Main Street communities in the state in 2022.
Other parts of the streetscape project will start after the watermelon carnival.
“I want to commend your work and your organization’s work” Mayor Tommy Reynolds said after the presentation.
Other activity reported by Benedict during the July 2 meeting included:
• The Main Street Association has a contract to purchase the corner lot at the intersection of North Main Street and Wagner Street from Dick Marchbanks. Known as the Pocket Park, Benedict said the property is the proposed location for the construction of a splash pad. Other improvements are also planned for the property after the acquisition is final.
The total fundraising goal for the purchase of the Pocket Park and building the splash pad and other site work at the property is $176,500. Benedict said $86,000 has been raised from private donations for the project. The Main Street Association has also applied for a grant to help with funding.
“This is the Main Street Association working with other organizations and citizens to accomplish this,” Benedict said.
Benedict also reported that the plan is to donate the property and splash pad to the city after the project is completed. Construction on the splash pad is expected to be completed by November. The splash pad would then be winterized and a grand opening will be scheduled in the spring.
Benedict also shared that the proposed splash pad will be the shape of a watermelon and approximately 40 feet wide, accommodating around 30 children at one time. She said the splash pad will be on the back of the lot, allowing the remainder of the park property to be utilized for other events.
“We still want to have the stage, music night and things like that in the Pocket Park,” Benedict added.
