Ridgeland’s Mayor Gene McGee said 2022 was “dynamic” for the city and they had some great accomplishments that they will look to continue growing in the year 2023.
As Jackson was plagued with water issues this year, McGee said it was very important to him and the rest of the city to work hard on their water system.
“We continue to work very hard on the water system so we have the highest rate you can have in the state of Mississippi,” McGee said. “We continue to do the things that we need to do to be sure that system is top quality for our citizens. We are very proud of that accomplishment.”
In 2022, Ridgeland had several additions to their staff. One big change in the city’s leadership was the retirement of former Police Chief John Neal. Chief Brian Myers took his place and has been leading the department for the latter half of the year.
“Another accomplishment is the transition and appointment of Chief Brian Myers and the things he has brought to the police department,” McGee said. “We’re really excited about that.”
Director of Public Relations Kim Cooper also joined the Ridgeland team in the final months of 2022.
“We have continued to provide the services that our citizens deserve, but we’ve again done it without raising our taxes,” McGee said. “Our taxes are the same as they’ve been for over 30 years now. We’re working hard to keep our economy strong in Ridgeland and that is very important. Our philosophy is to provide a quality business climate that complements our residential areas, and that allows us to do things we need to do and provide our citizens the quality of life services that are needed without having to raise taxes. We are proud of that.”
Looking ahead to 2023, McGee said there are several things he would like to see them accomplish in the city. At the top of the list is moving forward with the plans to create a downtown area along West Jackson Street.
“We have been working very hard on designs to redesign West Jackson Street and make it in the downtown area,” McGee said. “We are almost to the point of final design and approval. My goal would be to get the final approval of that particular concept for downtown and then start implementing that in 2023. We’ve been meeting with businesses on the street, with our historical society and with department heads, and we’ve spent a lot of time putting these plans together. Once we are able to finally adopt them, the implementation of them is going to be important to me because our goal has been for years to create a downtown and West Jackson Street is going to be that.”
Another project that McGee is prioritizing in 2023 is the Highland Commerce Drive. The connector road is an I-55 and I-220 frontage road that will begin at Lake Harbour Drive and end at Highland Colony Parkway. They have been working on getting grants and funding from the state to move this project forward. This project will improve access, circulation and economic development in Ridgeland and is estimated to cost approximately $39 million.
“My goal in 2023 is that we would get that particular project to the point of final design and right-of-way acquisition, so it would be ready to bid either in late 2023 or early 2024,” McGee said. “That’s an important project, and an economic opportunity project that would help open up areas near I-220, particularly Tougaloo College property that is basically landlocked now. It will also take some traffic off of I-220. It is very important that we get to the point of the final design, and my goal would be to get that done in 2023.”
Moving forward, McGee still has the goal of connecting all of Ridgeland’s multi-use trails across the city.
“I want to be sure that every subdivision and every citizen has an opportunity to get out and exercise and be on those trails in a safe way,” McGee said.
McGee said they will also be working towards turning the old city hall property into a commercial corner again and that started with adding the additional turning lane on Lake Harbour Drive and Highway 51.
“We’re looking forward to finding a buyer for that property, and we’ve got a lot of interest in it to redevelop that area,” McGee said. “The additional lane will make traffic better and help us to develop that corner and get it back as a commercial corner. We are really excited about that.”
This year, Ridgeland awarded a contract to Dean Architects to design the city’s Performing Arts Center, which will seat 1,000 to 1,200 people and have areas for art displays. McGee said the arts aspect of the city has been missing in Ridgeland and has been something they have fallen short in. This center will change that.
His goal is to complete the final design in 2023 and have the bidding process and groundbreaking next year as well. Currently, they are in the process of naming rights for the building. While McGee couldn’t say who was being considered for that, he said he believes they have the right people to accomplish that and it will be moving forward soon.
“I envision that once we are able to accomplish the Performing Arts Center, it will become a place where people will come to participate in all the different arts whether it be a country concert or ballet or musical — all those kinds of things,” McGee said.
With the addition of the Performing Arts Center and the downtown area on West Jackson Street, which will become a great shopping area and increase events at Olde Towne Plaza, the pieces are coming together as Ridgeland builds their city center.
“City Hall was the first part of that and we are almost ready to celebrate our second anniversary here,” McGee said. “We have different opportunities that we always had in our goals in our master plan happening now. I think the City of Ridgeland is a great place for people to be and to live.”
