Musselwhite details Southaven city progress in 2023 review

Photo: Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite address the annual Veterans Day Luncheon. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite released what he termed his “Year in Review” on his Facebook page this week. It’s a public recap of what has been done in the state’s third-largest city during the past year.

Here is what the Southaven mayor stated has happened in the city since January 2023.

BOOMING ECONOMY …

• Snowden District & Silo Square Explosive Growth
• Metropolitan District and Hotel/Convention Center Progressu
• West End District Redevelopment Enhanced Plan Underway
• Continued Record-Setting Sales Tax Revenue Growth to $19,255,456 in ’23 up 54.05 percent in 10 Years from $12,499,170 in ’13 (Projected at $21 Million in ’24)

IMPROVING RECREATIONAL VALUE…

• BankPlus Amphitheater Record-Setting Concert Events (12) & Tripled Revenues
• Neighborhood Park Trails & Pavilions In Progress
• New Roofs at Snowden Grove Park Nearing Completion
• Arena Volleyball Parking Expansion Completed
• Pickleball Courts (4) Completed Becoming Major Attraction
• Perfect Game Baseball Tournament Inaugural Year Success
• Tennis Expansion Underway for 8 Additional Courts
• Cherry Valley Park Enhancement Design Underway
• Performing Arts Center Study Underway

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY…

• Archive Library Completed
• Tribute Hall First 2 Honorees with 3 Projected Honorees in ‘24
• Historical Marker Signs Placed at The Tree and Jaycee Pool with Pending Signs for Cherry Valley Park, Chickasaw Indian Trail, and Jago Locations

AGGRESSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT…

• Getwell Road South Widening Project Tremendous Progress
• Pepper Chase Road South Extension Completed
• Getwell (May to Nail) Multi-Use Trail Completed
• Getwell (Nail to Church) MPO Multi-Use Trail Nearing Construction in ‘24
• Nail Road Extension (Getwell to Tchulahoma) in Design
• Snowden Lane Widening (Goodman to May) in Design
• Street Resurfacing ($6.4 million, highest in history)
• Drainage Improvement Projects Completed ($500K)
• Autumn Woods Drainage Project in Design
• Carriage Hills Estates Drainage Project in Design
• Rasco/Greenbrook Parkway, Guthrie/Airways, Stateline/Swinnea, and Church/Tchulahoma Traffic Signals in Design
• Driving Desoto Campaign Underway for I-55 Widening with $25 Million Legislative Allocation

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITMENT…

• Police Officer Growth of 39 percent in 5 years (165 from 119 in FY ’19)
• Police Massive Funding Investment of 60 percent in 5 years ($19,367,256 from $12,107,758 in FY ’19)
• Operation: Close the Door Underway to Secure our Northern Border
• General Flat Crime Statistics Showing Outstanding Police Effort Considering Growth and Unique Geographic Challenges
• New Police East Precinct Under Construction to Address Growth
• Fire Hydrant Expansion in All Annexed Areas Completed ($7.4 million project)
• Fire Station #5 Making Significant Progress with Completion in ‘24

PREPARING FOR OUR FUTURE…

• Horn Lake Creek Basin Interceptor Sewer District/Memphis Sewer Funding Solution and Transition Agreement with DCRUA Expected in ‘24
• Utilities and IT Expansions in Renovated Dorchester/51 Buildings
• Property Database Nearing Completion for Enhanced Nuisance Property Ordinance to Address Rental Property Challenges Among Others