Central Speaks with the Mayor: An Interview with Mayor Mac Watts

By CS | November 4, 2011

 

Can you tell us what is planned for Veterans’ Day?

Our Annual Veterans Celebration is planned for next Thursday, November 10th at 6pm.  It will be held at Grace UPC on Hooper Rd. across from Wildcat Stadium.  The Keynote Speaker will be Retired General Hunt Downer.  We will also have music by the CHS Jazz Band and the newly formed Central Community Chorus.  There will be refreshments as well.  I ask everyone to consider joining us for this event honoring our veterans.

With 2011 coming to a close soon can you give us an update on projects around Central completed or underway in 2011?

There are many.  Here is a rundown including ones planned for the near future.  If anyone would like more information on any of these, please call City Hall at 261-5988.

Projects which have been completed in 2011 include:

• Our New City Service Contract with IBTS.

• Flashing beacons on Highway 64 at Galilee Baptist for safety improvements.

• Traffic calming programs in Rambling Oaks, Northwoods, Ridgewood, Crystal Place and Indian Mound.           

• Bridlewood drainage improvements.  ($140,000)

• Master Plan Land Use Plan adopted.

• Worked with DOTD on having centerline rumble strips installed on Hwy 64 for improved safety.

• Street overlays ($1.2 million)

• Emergency Alert Notification Program through text messages and emails.

Projects that have been started in 2011 include:

• Community Resiliency Program using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding including Floodplain Management Program, City Center Overlay District, and Code and Pattern Design Book for City of Central

• Greenwell Springs Historical Park with BREC.

• Gateway Signs on Hooper, Joor, and Greenwell Springs.

• Economic Development Ready Communities Program.

• Street Light Installation at intersections around the city.

• Traffic Study for Hooper road extension across Amite River.

• Sullivan Road widening project.  Spent over $1.2 million so far to get the project moving.  Includes new public sewer lines.

Upcoming Projects:

• Curve safety improvements on Devall, Denham, Frenchtown, and Lovett Roads through DOTD grant.  Our grant scored

 # 1 in the state for all applications.

• Central Thruway completion in December 2012.  (Up to Sullivan Road)

• Completion of new zoning code.

• Safe Schools Grant of $419,000 to build two new sidewalks, the first on Wax Road from Banway Dr., past the High School, to Sullivan Road.  The second on Sullivan Road from Virgil Jackson Ave., past the new school complex, connecting with existing sidewalks all the way to Hooper Road.