What's Up, Waveland? January 2020

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reviews the city's accomplishments in 2019 and reveals the board's direction for 2020.

The most prominent structure on the Waveland waterfront is the new lighthouse/bathroom facility at the foot of Coleman Avenue. | Lionel Haynes, Jr. photo

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The City of Waveland took several steps forward during the year 2019. The most visible is the Lighthouse bathroom facility on the beach at the foot of Coleman Avenue, which opened in early spring. Although the lighthouse is a welcome addition, Waveland had several other accomplishments that has vastly improved the city.
 
The city-wide sewer improvement project that was started in mid-2018 wrapped up in late 2019. The project successfully corrected the problem of infiltration of groundwater into Waveland’s sewer system. 

A dog park was opened at the unused ballfield at Elwood Bourgeois Park. The amenity of a town green was created on the open space just north of the Waveland Ground Zero Museum. The town green hosted the new Waveland Christmas display, but I foresee more community events that will utilize the town green in the upcoming year. Waveland also recently finished construction on the new community center at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The community center has public restrooms for public use, but will also be able to be rented for functions.

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One of the city's most anticipated projects was the dog park on Central Avenue. | Dena Temple photo

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If you have driven on Waveland Avenue lately you have seen the much-anticipated sidewalks being constructed. Once the project is completed, it will add nearly 2.5 miles to the city’s sidewalk infrastructure. The project is funded with 80% Mississippi Department of Transportation funds and just 20% direct local funds. The project should be completed in early summer 2019.

Workers install drain pipe to direct rainwater beneath the new sidewalks on Waveland Avenue. | Dena Temple photo

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When the Waveland sidewalk project is wrapping up, the MDOT Nicholson Avenue overlay and pedestrian pathway project should be getting started. Nicholson Avenue will overlay from the railroad track to HWY 90, and a five-foot-wide bike/pedestrian pathway will be installed on both sides of Nicholson. The project accomplishes two objectives: First, it will smooth the deteriorating and well-driven Nicholson Avenue; and second, it will provide a safeway for pedestrians to bike and walk safely along Nicholson Avenue. The total construction cost for the project is projected to be just over $1 million, but Waveland is going to be reimbursed for a majority of the cost of the project.
 
This past year has seen a continued building boom. Forty-nine homes have been constructed in Waveland, up from 33 in 2018. Over $15 million of new construction has been added to Waveland this past year alone.

One goal for 2020 is to improve the appearance of the Hwy 90 corridor in Waveland. | Google Earth photo

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My main objective in 2020 is to aggressively address blight and improve the appearance of the Highway 90 corridor. A number of buildings and signs need to be removed. Waveland must show more pride and needs to be a more attractive “welcome mat” for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The abandoned buildings, illegally placed signs and rough-looking median cannot be ignored any longer.