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Mayor launches Right-of-way Restoration Project
Explore the new Vicksburg Right-of-Way Restoration Project aimed at improving the city’s most traveled streets and public spaces.
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VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Mayor Willis Thompson announced that his office is leading a Vicksburg Right-of-Way Restoration Project, a citywide effort to improve the appearance of portions of Vicksburg’s most traveled streets and the city property that adjoins them, and that the first project has already been completed.
City crews and volunteers restored the Cherry Street railroad bridge. They cleared heavy weed growth from the bridge, sidewalks, curbs and safety fencing; pressure-washed visible portions of the bridge, sidewalks and curbs; and repainted the iron safety fencing and light poles to their original appearance. Thompson released before-and-after photos in a Facebook post showing the impact of the improvements to the public.
“Some things in a city you can’t fake,” Thompson said. “Clean city rights-of-way and pride in the place we all call home are basic responsibilities of city government. I’m excited to get Vicksburg’s city government back focused on doing what should’ve been a priority for our citizens for years and years.”
Thompson said the effort follows the same theme as his first year in office.
“Cleaning up the finances and operations inside City Hall has been my No. 1 priority since becoming mayor,” Thompson said. “But that’s not something that everyone necessarily sees. And now that we’ve nearly completed that goal, it’s time to clean up what everyone does see: our busiest streets and corridors.”
Thompson said the initiative will focus on portions of the most traveled city streets so the greatest number of residents and visitors will see the results. Planned improvements include weed removal and remediation, pressure washing, repainting, signage repairs, and other general maintenance of city property along city rights-of-way.
“By targeting portions of our most traveled streets and corridors, my goal is that residents, visitors, and potential investors will see the city’s good-faith effort to fix the deferred maintenance of the past and progress for the future,” Thompson said.
“Alderwoman Bailey, city employees, and numerous volunteers have already spearheaded the cleanup of many of our city’s flower beds. This new initiative will complement that effort.”
The work is as much about economic development as appearance, Thompson added.
“Whether you’re headed down the hill from the Cherry Street bridge to House of Peace Worship Church International, around the corner to United Cleaners or Guaranty Bank and Trust, or just traveling through one of Vicksburg’s busiest streets, you’ll now see an area that inspires hope and pride in our city’s future,” Thompson said. “No one wants to live in a city that looks like it’s given up, much less open a business there. When someone is deciding to invest or live here, they’re looking at our main corridors. Every high-traffic area should tell a story of pride, not neglect. Taking care of what we have is one more way we’re building a safer, stronger, smarter Vicksburg for everyone.”
The Right-of-Way Restoration Initiative, coordinated by the mayor’s office, is a joint effort between the City of Vicksburg and volunteers. Residents, civic groups, churches and businesses may sign up to assist on future projects by emailing mayorthompson@vicksburg.org or visiting the mayor’s office at City Hall. Those who sign up will be notified of future opportunities to work alongside city crews to enhance Vicksburg’s busiest streets and rights-of-way. Future project focus areas will be chosen by a combination of highest traffic count and highest public visibility streets.
