Building Opportunities

NEXT STEPS

SEPTEMBER 23 UPDATE: On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the final presentation of the Bridging Divides, Building Opportunities planning study will be presented to the Planning Commission for consideration. At this hearing, proposed zoning changes will be presented for consideration of approval.

Presentation of Final Report of the “Bridging Divides, Building Opportunities” Community-Driven Blueprint
Planning Commission
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Jackie Dole Community Center
220 W Front Street

Recently, the City of Hattiesburg expanded its Form-Based Code and has expanded that zoning overlay into other parts of the City beyond the Midtown Area. The proposed zoning changes in this community-driven blueprint include Form-Based Code zoning changes, which are being recommended based on the results of the plan and will guide future development in the area.

Check out the photos below from the June 22 workshop.

BRIDGING DIVIDES, BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES

Since 2017, the City of Hattiesburg and its partners helped lay the foundation for more than $55 million in projects along the Hall Avenue and East Hardy corridors—including two railway overpasses funded by federal grants. These game-changing transportation and infrastructure projects will be transformational for Hattiesburg, bridging divides and building opportunities for generations to come. 

The overpass projects include a reimagined future for Hall Avenue, Gulfport Street and East Hardy Street, which will allow for greater visibility by citizens and visitors throughout the city. It will also add to the current customer base for existing businesses and services, with potential for expansion and development of commercial activity in the area.

As these projects come to fruition, the City of Hattiesburg is launching a public engagement phase to build a community-driven blueprint to capture the momentum of these existing projects and spur growth across economic development, redevelopment and creative place-making opportunities. The public will play a vital role in this process by helping to set the priorities and planning guidelines that will move this plan from paper to action. 

Over the next several months, residents, business owners and key stakeholders will have many opportunities to share their thoughts, concerns and ideas about these corridors and the areas around them. Ultimately, feedback will be used to recommend changes to the zoning regulations for these corridors, to support and enhance the quality of life for neighborhoods along and within Hall Avenue and East Hardy Street. After recommendations are made, they will be packaged and presented to Hattiesburg City Council for consideration and adoption.

The first tier of the community engagement phase will take place toward the end of 2021.

To learn more about the planning process, we encourage you to read through the list of Frequently Asked Questions below. Should you have additional questions, thoughts or concerns, please send them by mail or email:

  • Urban Development
    Re: Bridging Divides, Building Opportunities
    200 Forrest Street
    Hattiesburg, MS 39401

The last several years were critical in laying the groundwork needed to redevelop this area. Now, it’s time to continue that momentum by making sure the City is forward-thinking in streetscape, design guidelines and zoning regulations within these corridors. We want infrastructure investments to foster economic development opportunities while preserving the quality of life for existing neighborhoods.

Mayor Toby Barker

FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. Will this planning project also look at the parts of East Hattiesburg besides the corridors?

Yes. While the focus of the plan and zoning changes will be on the Hall Avenue, Gulfport Street, and East Hardy Street corridors, the areas in between and around these corridors will also be examined as part of the plan. The map highlights the three corridors that are the focus and also shows the general planning area in East Hattiesburg.

  1. Can you provide more information on the major transportation projects?

The following is a list of the major transportation projects that are currently underway. The projects are in various stages of development but are likely to be completed between 2022 and 2024. The map above highlights the locations of these projects.

The overpasses will allow people to travel to and from Downtown and East Hattiesburg without having to stop for cargo trains that frequently block traffic. The new, extended and redesigned streets (Hall Avenue, Gulfport Street, and E. Hardy Street) will create a road network that will allow people to travel more easily through East Hattiesburg, and ultimately throughout Hattiesburg. 

  1. Will residents, business owners and property owners have a role in the planning process?

Absolutely. Residents and community organizations and institutions—including neighborhood associations and churches—will have an important role in the planning process: helping us determine the principles and priorities that should guide the plan and providing feedback on the draft of the plan. We will be talking to key audiences through a variety of online and in-person methods. We expect to hold a public workshop in late 2021 and another in early 2022.

  1. Is there anything I can do now to help?

We encourage you to share information about this project with your neighbors, friends, family and the local business community. If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas for the future  of the corridors—please contact us by: 

  • Mailing or dropping off a letter addressed to: 

Urban Development
Re: Bridging Divides, Building Opportunities
200 Forrest Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401

  1. When will this project be completed?

We expect to complete this project by May 2022 with presentations to the Planning Commission and the Hattiesburg City Council. When the exact dates for these presentations are determined, they will be posted here.

  1. Who is managing this project?

The City of Hattiesburg Urban Development Department is managing this project with the assistance of a team of planning and zoning consultants.