If all goes as planned, drivers in the city of McComb will have a straight shot from Presley Boulevard to Delaware Avenue with the addition of a road that connects Anna Drive to 24th Street.
Mayor Whitney Rawlings and city selectmen went into executive session Tuesday night to discuss the proposal. Joining them were Kelvin Butler and Joseph Parker of the city administrator‘s office, board attorney Wayne Dowdy and Neel-Schaeffer engineering’s Keith Lott.
Rawlings said he sees only good from future growth potential in extending the corridor, which would make it a continuous drive from Presley Boulevard to Anna Drive.
Now, what’s left to be done is negotiating with the Pope and Day families who own the land needed for 75-foot rights of way for the project.
City officials are estimating the section of the road will cost some $2.75 million. Rawlings said the city has $975,000 on hand, but will have to borrow around $1.8 million.
Rawlings said the project would open up the corridor to more development, bringing with it more jobs and more property and sales taxes for the city.
To Selectman Donovan Hill, Rawlings said “your people” in Ward 4 will benefit.
But not all selectmen were thrilled with the news.
“I understand the potential, but I think we need more explanation. We just got this. I understand what you’re trying to do,” Selectman Albert Eubanks told Rawlings. “This is why we need work sessions again. We’ve talked about what could go right with the project. But what could go wrong?”
Hill, whose ward includes the project, pointed to the development that was planned to house oil field workers from the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale that went belly-up.
“Voters were sold on oil, and we took their tax money,” Hill said, adding that voters in that ward haven’t seen much return on the investment. “You’re selling us another fantasy.”
Rawlings pointed out a large new apartment complex and other development, including The Claiborne retirement community.
“(People in) my ward can’t afford to live there,” Hill said. “Don’t use the term ‘your people.’ ”
Rawlings countered, “Yes, it’s a risk, but sometimes you have to invest money to make money. We haven’t spent a penny on this project yet. This vote is to put the wheel in motion.”
Eubanks and Selectman Ronnie Brock wanted to table the matter to “have time to digest it.”
They and Hill voted to table the motion, while selectmen Tommy McKenzie, Ted Tullos and Michael Cameron, who said, “I’m excited about this,” voted for it. Rawlings broke the tie, clearing the way for Dowdy to contact the landowners and for the city to negotiate with them.
