P l c a i g n e t a r t S A Great Place to Live, Work & Play

CITY OF PASCAGOULA The Power of a Plan

2010 Update Elements

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The Power of A Community With Vision

“This Strategic Planning process is a grass-roots effort like no other. It’s the people of Pascagoula that make the city so great those you meet on aisle 5 of Jerry Lee’s . For them, we planned the work. Now we need to work the plan.” - Alice Walker, facilitator 2010 Strategic Plan Update

R E W O P

A community’s strategic plan is like a mosaic that takes shape over time as citizens gather together to carefully consider the opportunities facing their community and to chart a course for their future. A community with an updated strategic plan is far better positioned to successfully respond to the economic, political, social, and environmental changes that the future will surely bring. Pascagoula is that community.

A cross-section of the leadership of Pascagoula first came together in 1999 to develop the initial Strategic Plan. Updates to the Plan followed in 2004 and again in 2010, with input from well over 400 residents altogether. The plan has remained remarkably resilient and applicable in the face of unprecedented changes within our hometown over the last few years. We are living proof of Margaret Mead’s words, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” From this point forward, continued commitment will ensure that Pascagoula remains a great place to live, work, learn, and play.

Cleanliness & Beautification Opportunities • Relocate the Wastewater Treatment Plant • Protect live oak trees, offer tax incentives for landscaping, add trash containers, and coordinate with local clubs and schools to foster public pride in the City • Continue Streetscape theme to major corridors and encourage refurbishing places of business by offering tax breaks/incentives • Relocate downtown utilities to less conspicuous venues in phases

Public Relations/Promotions/Communications Opportunities • Create Strategic Communications Plan including ◊ Printed brochures ◊ Website with virtual tour ◊ Press releases ◊ e-news, etc. • Present State of the City address in a public forum • Publish eye-catching Events and Newcomers Guide • Develop a wide variety of additional festivals such as ◊ Live Oak Arts Festival ◊ Parrot Head - Jimmy Buffet ◊ Blues on the Beach ◊ Blessing of the Fleet/Flagship Festival • Promote the uniqueness of Pascagoula by ◊ Creating artist colony area to showcase local talents in music, writing, arts, crafts ◊ Encouraging outdoor sporting events such as regattas and fishing tournaments ◊ Constructing a museum combining all aspects of our Pascagoula heritage

Urban Revitalization & Community Development Opportunities • Adopt Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) with ◊ Sign ordinances using phased compliance ◊ Building standards ◊ Aesthetics in buildings • Expand entertainment options to include ◊ Theater(s) ◊ Outdoor batting cages ◊ Driving range ◊ Tennis courts ◊ Kid’s Recreation Center/Teen Center ◊ Bowling alley • Build a world class public marina • Pursue waterfront development, especially ◊ The Point ◊ Riverfront ◊ Bike Paths ◊ Blueways ◊ Things to do for free • Promote redevelopment of Old PHS property • Support efforts to expand city limits • Construct a new Inner Harbor incorporating ◊ Building a first class marina ◊ Enabling public-private partnership ◊ Tying marina to the Riverfront

Opportunities... Beach Promenade

Beachfront

Today & Beyond The Point

New Senior Center

Downtown Streetscape Historic Pathway

Round Island Lighthouse Relocation

Anchor Square

Lowry Island

Riverfront Development

City Council: Robbie Maxwell - Mayor Robert Stallworth - Ward 1 George Wolverton - Ward 2 Joe Abston - Ward 3 Frank Corder - Ward 4 Jim Milstead - Ward 5 Harold Tillman - At Large Steering Committee: Richard Lucas, Chairman Alice Walker Liz Ford Kay Kell Sarah Jim Boykin Henry Fox Pat Keene Mike McElhaney David Minkler Ann Pickett Harry Schmidt Larry Smith Wesley Smith Joe Stout

Community Advisors: Amy Brandenstein Charles Busby Belinda Dammen Rebecca Davis Drew Estabrook Jennifer Flanagan Charlie Green John Jones Karen Joplin Bruce Knott Mike Mangum Charlie McVea, Jr. Etienne Melcher David Minkler Steve Mitchell Hal Moore Wayne Rodolfich David Sepulveda Perry A. Thompson, Jr. Jaci Turner Joyce Washington Eddie Williams Roy Williams Darlene Wixon Rogena Woods

“Bringing all these people together to help show us the way is a critical part of our moving forward as a city. We have so many opportunities here, and now is the time to be very wise with how we invest in our future.” - Mayor Robbie Maxwell

Small Business & Retail Shopping • Provide forum for business people with venture capital • Set up panel to review new codes before adopted and give feedback to City • Designate a new Retail Area formed by Market St., Highway 90, Ingalls Ave., and Chicot St. ◊ Two-way traffic on Live Oak St. ◊ More walkable area along Market St. ◊ An Overlay District to allow flexibility such as special exemptions ◊ Tax breaks for building on vacant property, remaining the same for seven years • Enhance the Code Office operation by ◊ Changing ‘Code Enforcement’ to ‘Code Assistance’ ◊ Creating a one-stop-shop for businesses ◊ Placing an Economic Development person in the Code Assistance Office ◊ Investigating the basis for current building codes in order to assist developers • Offer special incentives to target restaurants and hotels/motels such as a tax reduction Cultural / Recreational Opportunities • Encourage development of a theater with 1000+ seating capacity • Promote a themed Riverfront Development to include ◊ Ingalls East Bank ◊ Lake Yazoo restoration ◊ Multi-use design with shopping and dining ◊ Lighthouse as a focal point ◊ Boat launch • Expand recreation opportunities beyond the existing twenty-three (23) parks • Install wireless technology citywide

Major Accomplishments Resulting From Previous Strategic Plans Cleanliness & Beautification -Clear, high quality water supply -Enforcement of Code & Sign Ordinances -Improved landscaping along major corridors -Funds committed to maintain public landscaping

Urban Revitalization & City Development

“Strategic plans are only effective when they are used. Therefore, it is incumbent that we proactively update our Strategic Plan and use it to move Pascagoula forward.” - Richard Lucas, Chairman

N O I S I V

-Annexed Singing River Island & parts of the Mississippi Sound -Constructed the high-rise bridge over the Pascagoula River -Secured Super Wal-Mart -Obtained architectural rendering and landscape plans for Delmas Avenue -Initiated Tidelands application for Phase I of “The Point Redevelopment Plan”

Power

Cultural & Recreational Activities

-Sounds by the Sea became an annual event -Well-attended family parades at Mardi Gras, Easter and Christmas -Hosted Dixie Youth World Series -Completed $1 million Soccer Complex -Rebuilt Beach Park Pier

Public Relations, Promotions, Communications

-Created and filled Public Relations position for the school system -Developed a City Website -Updated seasonal flags and banners along major corridors -Developed a Communications Plan

Crime

-Increased officer visibility -Created “Meet an Officer” recognition -Installed Fingerprint Station

Small Business/ Retail Shopping

-Created and filled Main Street Director position -Established Pascagoula as a Main Street Community -Developed tax incentives for Main Street District -Created listing of commercial sites for sale

Education

-Completed new Pascagoula High School -Adopted the campaigns: “Superior Expect It” and “Destination Graduation”

Community

Vision

“Pascagoula is already a great city, but it can be even better. Following up on this 2010 update of our Strategic Plan will give us a springboard to a bright future.” - Richard Lucas, Chairman

We are Pascagoula. We are

Pascagoula.

The sea Pascagoula. It is the of our Thedefines sea defines Pascagoula. It issource the source beauty of and our livelihood. Welivelihood. build the ships that have our beauty and our We build defended country for over aour century. Our the shipsour that have defended country “Singing River,” the longest free flowing waterway for over a century. Our “Singing River,” the longest free flowing waterway in the and in the nation, is a place of commerce nation, We is a are place of commerce andworks hard recreation. a community that recreation. areto a community that works yet we can We pause take in the splendor hard yet we can pause to take in the splen of our surroundings. We are forward thinking yet dor of our surroundings. We are forward anchored in our three hundred year history. thinking yet anchored in our three hundred We are proud of our role yet we are humble in our ways. year history. We are proud of our role yet We are Pascagoula, and we continue America’s proud we are humble in our ways. We are maritime heritage in a spectacular setting. Pascagoula & we continue America’s proud maritime heritage in a spectacular setting. Pascagoula, Mississippi’s Flagship City. Pascagoula, Mississippi’s Flagship City.

TH E CI TY of

MI SSISSI PPI