Reservoir officials still optimistic Harbor Walk will be reality

Nearly 15 years after the original plans were announced for Harbor Walk, Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD) officials are still optimistic about the development.

The planning process is ongoing for the proposed development to be built on reservoir property. 

The original plans for Harbor Walk, presented in 2005, were for a multimillion-dollar mixed-use development. The multi-phase project was to include a luxury hotel, condominiums, office space, retail and restaurants.

John Sigman, PRVWSD general manager, said the property is comprised of the main harbor and the surrounding pieces of property, which totals to “several hundred acres.”

Sigman said the lessee, Texas resident George Bishop, spends approximately $600,000 a year renting the property.

“We talk with him about every month,” Sigman said of Michael Stuart of Main Harbor Development.

Stuart is working with Bishop to bring the Harbor Walk plans to life.

The last time Stuart spoke with the board he was working on generating interest with restaurants that might want to open in Harbor Walk, according to Sigman.

Stuart is also working on plans for condominiums.

“It’s seemingly going kind of slow, but he is working on it,” Sigman said. “He is still paying his rent. He is up to date on his lease.

“I believe the condominiums would sell out immediately. I think restaurants would do very well,” Sigman said.

The development has shifted to a more residential focus and updating the marina is a top priority, Stuart said.

“He is actually doing some reorganization over there in terms of the businesses,” Sigman said. “He has a tenant now moving in, and we’re looking at the appearance of that place improving.”

The timeline for the project is still uncertain, but Sigman said he looks forward to the project gaining momentum this spring.

As the property develops, PRVWSD will receive more money for rent.

“Additional rent would allow the board to perform more activities or tasks that everyone wants, like more dredging, maintenance, more parks facilities, more things to do,” Sigman said. “It takes a lot of money to run this operation.”

Although plans are still uncertain for Harbor Walk, Sigman is still hopeful that the project will be a success.

“I believe something will happen. I don’t know how long it is going to take,” Sigman said.