Pascagoula is Sprucing Up Market St. to Increase Development

The City of Pascagoula currently has 26 projects in various stages of completion, which include everything from streets and drainage to recreation and business development. One big project includes sprucing up Market Street to attract even more development.

The sounds of cars driving down Market Street in Pascagoula are just one indicator of the deterioration on the busy street. Aulton Vann III, owner of Aulton Vann Insurance, says, "Yeah, it’s a rough road. I mean, it’s been awhile since it’s been repaved. I’m just thinking about driving down and the easier the drive, the more likely people are to get down here and live down here and play down here."

Aulton Vann Insurance is a family owned business that has called Market Street home for more than 50 years. Vann believes the city’s decision to invest in the Market Street and Ingalls Avenue areas is perfect for attracting new development. Vann also says, "As times change and things change, you know, you got to adapt in that to keep the businesses here and the residents here."

Pascagoula is anticipating receiving $15 million in bond funding from the Mississippi Development Bank in approximately ten days. That money will be used for drainage and utility infrastructure projects in 80 residential areas along with Market Street. Anne Pitre, Public Relations Specialist for Pascagoula, says, "We have an overall vision for Market Street right now that involves making it into more of a boulevard concept so that it’ll be friendly and hospitable for a variety of businesses and residences, but also something people can use when they’re walking, bicycling, or traveling by car."

Pitre says Pascagoula has also partnered with the City of Gautier to try to create a tax rebate program with the state legislature to make Jackson County an even bigger draw for developers. The city is working with several local engineering firms on design and plans to advertise for bids early next year.