Vision Neshoba Master Plan presented

Philadelphia and Neshoba County residents were invited to attend the Vision Neshoba Generational Master Plan presentation on Tuesday at the Ellis Theatre.

Bob Barber of Orion Planning & Design presented findings from the past year, and strategies for implementing them in the community and then opened the floor for questions.

The generational master plan focuses on developing key community areas, such as the Downtown Core, which includes proposals for Hotel Philadelphia, more attractive streetscapes, an Artisan Market at the old police station, a Legacy Plaza, and gateway and wayfinding signage.

It also emphasizes better Mobility and Connectivity with features like a Park Loop, Pearl River Trail, roundabouts, sidewalk improvements, and enhancements to freight routes and networks.

The Development Capacity section covers adding shops at Trillium Village, a neighborhood surrounding Trillium Village, infill housing, and Industrial Park expansion.

Economic Policy proposals include tax increment funding, setting up a Vision Neshoba Fund that capitalizes on food and beverage revenue, and more.

Development Policy focuses on community planning and zoning, historic preservation and environmental policies, marketing strategies, and workforce development.

Organizers said these findings are intended to guide the next generation of the community.

This is not a quick plan; it requires implementing strategies to navigate these ideas for the future, they said.

“These strategies are crafted with human hands,” Barber said. “Some will prove more feasible than others, and some will be quite successful. When systematically pursued with diligent effort, they will work, and you will see the results of your plan.”

See next week’s Democrat for the full story with community feedback.

Learn more about the Vision Neshoba’s Master Plan.