Representatives from the McComb Arts & Entertainment District Coalition are asking the city use $276,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used for “civic infrastructure.”
Pike School of Art-Mississippi President Calvin Phelps and Vice President Kendal Miller outlined nine projects the funding would be used for at the McComb work session Tuesday.
“Civic infrastructure is the culture and systems that allow people to connect, work together, get information, solve problems, and create a thriving community,” Phelps explained in an email before Tuesday’s board meeting.
Phelps said $276,000 is less than a tenth of the $3,199,183 McComb has in ARPA funding.
“We’re asking for a very, very, very small percentage of funding from the American Rescue plan,” he said. “We are asking for it to go toward civic infrastructure.”
The proposed projects include:
• $143,000 for renovations to the State Theater, including new seats, lighting and other upgrades. “It would make the theater much more usable than it is now and it’s owned by the city to begin with,” Phelps said. “It is a city asset that you would be putting money into.”
• A new handicap-accessible ramp and other ADA compliance improvements at the Black History Gallery.
• Facades for downtown buildings.
• A public art project for the beautification of Summit Street.
• A mural celebrating the history and culture of McComb, to be painted on the wall of the Palace Theater facing Front Street.
• Improvements to the Pike County Little Theatre’s Depot Theatre, including restroom renovations and ADA compliance improvements.
• A series of murals on the downtown parking garage.
• A competitive public art program.
• Renovations to the old city jail that the Pike School of Art is renting from the city. Phelps said that should cost about $30,000.
Phelps said the McComb Arts & Entertainment District Coalition is open to everyone in the community and consists of representatives from the Black History Gallery, Cross Tech Cultural Center, McComb Main Street Association, Palace Foundation, Pike County Arts Council, Pike School of Art-Mississippi, State Street Junior Players, Southwest Mississippi Art Guild, Summit Street Unity Festival and Y.U.N.G. Citizens.
“This is a pretty unprecedented coalition for the City of McComb and we feel that coming as such a coalition and asking for this at this point in time would show that the city really stands behind the creation of the arts and entertainment district and supports it as an economic driver for the city of McComb,” Phelps said.
Thirty-seven representatives from local businesses and organizations signed the letter requesting the city allocate the ARPA funding for the nine projects.
“Part of why we feel this is important is it’s pretty unique to see an actual cross-section of the community coming together and agreeing to work together on a slate of projects,” Miller said. “We feel like there is a lot of importance behind the arts and entertainment district.”
Selectman Ted Tullos asked about the local financial support for the projects.
“Are these names and businesses contributing financially?” he said.
“We have not asked them to,” Phelps replied.
Phelps said some supporters have contributed to Pike School of Art.
“I would say there probably is some financial backing from these people,” he said.
Selectman Ronnie Brock asked if Phelps reached out to Robert Avery, an agent for GJA Consulting of Gadsden, Ala., a consultant working with the city on the use of ARPA funds.
Phelps said he took his information from Mayor Quordiniah Lockley.
Lockley said the proposal would be taken under consideration.
“Let me say that Mr. Myers had asked citizens as well as board members to submit projects as it relates to American Rescue money,” he said, referring to city administrator David Myers. “This is one group that came before us to submit their findings.”
