Pass Christian seeking MSU assistance in rebuilding effort

Contact: Sammy McDavid

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State's Carl Small Town Center is working with officials in Pass Christian to help the historic Gulf Coast city rebuild its historic downtown area from the August destruction of Hurricane Katrina.

The center is the research and extension arm of the university's College of Architecture, Art and Design. Its staff members have been asked to share their expertise in municipal planning and funding.

The first of four or more community-wide discussions involving residents and business owners will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday [Nov. 15] at the Gospel Singers of America Hall, 951 East Scenic Drive.

"The Carl team will expand and build on the ideas developed recently by the governor's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal," says Pass Christian businesswoman Martha Murphy. "While we have some great initial concepts, we need the Carl Center's expertise on how to plan, implement and fund them."

Leah Faulk, assistant center director, said, "The more input and involvement we can get from the community, the more successful we can be in rebuilding Pass Christian. Our ideas and proposals will be a mirror of this input.

"It's very important for the entire community to be fully engaged," Faulk emphasized.

Endowed by the Greenwood businessman and Viking Range Corp. founder for whom it is named, the non-profit Carl Center specializes in community design, research and education assistance. For years, the university group has provided assistance to Mississippi towns with various aesthetic and structural challenges.

Longtime Pass Christian resident Ben Puckett said the Carl Center "has an exceptional reputation for helping towns like Pass Christian utilize its community space and assets in the best interest of the people.

"This is a great step in the rebuilding of Pass Christian," Puckett added. "We feel we're moving forward wisely, and the Carl team will give us a much better chance of 'doing it right.' This is a very talented group with a passion for our town."

Faulk said the MSU faculty and student team already has conducted preliminary research through guided tours and meetings with city officials. The addition of mixed-use, or retail/residential, structures and a second harbor for recreational boats, retail and restaurants are among ideas the group already has discussed.

Both of these initial designs seek to encourage more of a "walking community with more green space," she added.

Faulk said the final proposal will include design ideas, as well as information on funding sources specific to each idea.

"We understand that Pass Christian is anxious to move forward with the rebuilding process, and our group is looking forward to being an integral part of this effort," Faulk said. "We see great potential here."

NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For additional information, contact Faulk at (662) 325-2527 or lfaulk@coa.msstate.edu.