What's Up, Waveland? September 2022

8/25/2022

New contributor and Waveland resident Bruce Northridge shares info about five upcoming events in Waveland, a Highway 90 development report that’s under consideration by Aldermen, and upcoming city elections.

- by Bruce Northridge

Artist's rendering of the Highway 90/603 intersection with improvements.

Highway 90 Corridor Development Plan

During a special Waveland Aldermen’s meeting on Tuesday, August 16, Bob Barber of Orion Planning & Design presented their company’s report on the development of Waveland’s primary economic corridor, Highway 90. The report, created with input from community leaders and citizens, was made possible by a grant from Mississippi Power.

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The Aldermen formally accepted the plan and according to Mayor Mike Smith, the next step is for the city to decide what parts it can implement first and find the resources to do so.

This rendering shows a cross-section of the current Route 90 configuration.

This rendering shows a cross-section of the proposed configuration for the Highway 90 corridor.

“The short and skinny of it is there’s a lot of information to take in,” said Mayor Smith. He said the plan contains ideas that can take the main commercial corridor in Waveland from a dated 1970s look into the present, with a contemporary, appealing feel that will instill community pride and be attractive to visitors. “That corridor is the bread and butter of Waveland.”

But the mayor stressed that any plan is “worthless unless it’s executed.”

Mayor Smith said that Mississippi Power is applying for grants now that will help businesses improve their signage. He’s also hoping that in the future, the city will be able to help businesses beautify their properties with landscaping and updated facades.

“This plan should open up the opportunity for façade grants,” he said. “That’s what downtown Gulfport did, and it really transformed the city.”

This chart shows how commercial buildings along Highway 90 are currently used.

This pie chart shows the current land use along the Highway 90 corridor.

One particular project Mayor Smith hopes will be a priority is to build rentention ponds to replace ditches near the gateway intersection of Highways 90 and 603. Renderings in the Orion plan show fountains in the ponds, making them a scenic addition to the corridor. He said they’d be similar to the Bay St. Louis duck pond, with an overflow spillway to maintain water level.

“That’s something we could do relatively quickly with MDOT approval,” Mayor Smith said.

Aerial photograph of the Highway 90/603 intersection looking north.

The mayor pointed to several exciting development prospects in the works currently. The former Holiday Inn has been purchased by the owners of Claiborne Hill Supermarket and the derelict building will be torn down. The site of a former shopping center at Waveland Avenue and Hwy 90, owned by Mr. Robert Bruno, has also been cleared for development by the EPA.

“Our zoning needs to be updated,” said the mayor. “That will be part of the overall execution of the [Orion] plan. There will be lots of public input when that’s in the works.”

The city has posted a draft version of the plan on their website or you can click here to look through it now.

VIEW THE COMPLETE PLAN HERE

Waveland Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting to review the Orion plan.

Waveland Elections

Bet you’re noticing more and more political signs going up in yards all over the city.

On Tuesday, October 4th, a primary will be held for the 5 Republican candidates for Mayor and the 4 Republican candidates for Ward 1.

Mayor
The Republican primary on Oct 4 is intended to whittle the five mayoral candidates down to one. Then, in the general election on Dec 6, that Republican winner will face off against the Independent candidate, the Libertarian candidate, and possibly the Democratic candidate (who's still in the qualifying phase).

Ward 1
The Republican primary on Oct 4th is also intended to narrow the four candidates for Alderman Ward 1 down to one. Then, on the general election on Dec 6th, that Republican will face off against the Independent candidate and the Libertarian candidate.

Ward 2
In the general election on Dec 6, Ward 2 voters will choose between Bobby Richardson and Clarence Harris.

Ward 3
Ward 3's incumbent has no challenger, so Shane Lafontaine will be the Ward 3 Alderman for four more years.

Ward 4
Also on the general election on Dec. 6, Republican candidate Catalano will face off against Independent candidate Clark and Libertarian candidate Smith.

Note that the Board of Alderman will look considerably different next year because two of the current aldermen (Ward 1's Jeremy Burke and Ward 4's Charles Piazza) are giving up their seats to run for mayor.

The polling place for all elected municipal positions is one location – the Waveland Fire Department on Coleman Ave.

Note that between these two dates there is also a congressional election on Nov 8, where polling places will be located in five sites around the city.

Candidates for Waveland's elected mayor and aldermen.

Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, September 4: The City of Waveland will host the Labor Day Street Fair and Fireworks (the Sunday of Labor Day weekend) on Coleman Avenue from 10 am to 5 pm. Find more information on our Shoofly Magazine Community Calendar.
Friday, September 9: Hope to see y’all on Coleman Avenue from 5 pm to 8 pm for Waveland Food Truck Friday. Coleman Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic in front of Studio Waveland to accommodate the food trucks and allow you to set up a canopy tent, table, and chairs if you choose. Of course, you’ll find more information on our Shoofly Magazine Community Calendar.

Saturday, September 24: The second annual White Linen On Coleman event will be held from 5 pm to 8 pm. This event benefits Friends of the Animal Shelter in Hancock County. White Linen On Coleman features excellent local artists, food, and music. This is a first-class event that's also very kid-friendly! Find more information on our Shoofly Magazine Community Calendar.

Saturday, October 1: Shine n’ Brew takes place on Coleman Avenue. It's a Hancock County tasting experience with craft beer, home brewers, and cocktail mixologists from our own community, with all proceeds benefiting Hancock Resource Center! This event will feature Kiln Shine, A Cut Above Bourbon, and A Cut Above Rye Whiskey from Crittenden Distillery. Live music by the 3C Band and a cornhole tournament (team entry $60, which also covers entry to Shine-N-Brew).

Hancock Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation working to stabilize families and strengthen the community. HRC addresses obstacles and barriers to housing and coordinates services for families in need.

Exhibitors will compete for Taster’s Choice Best Beer, Best in Show: Beer, Taster’s Choice Cocktail and many more. Homebrewer and mixologist registration is open now through September 1. Go to Shinenbrew.org to register, exhibit, pre-purchase, or register for the cornhole tournament. For more on supporting or sponsoring, email Rhonda Rhodes (rrhodes@hancockhrc.org) or Taylor Lee (tlee@hancockhrc.org).

Tickets for the event are $25 in advance for taster tickets, or $30 for taster tickets at the gate. Advance-purchase VIT (Very Important Taster) tickets will be available for $50 only through September 23, or while supplies last. The VIT tickets include early entry to Shine-N-Brew and a Shine-N-Brew T-shirt.
Saturday, October 15: The inaugural Coleman Avenue Fall Fest event will feature artists, food, music and much more, providing the Waveland community with a fun, safe, family event. We’ll be posting more details on our Shoofly Magazine Community Calendar as they become available.

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