Whether it”s a signature festival or neighborhood improvements, Seventh Avenue knows how to stretch a dollar.
Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem says $50,000 in Mississippi Department of Transportation money will be enough to complete the first phase of his Seventh Avenue Revitalization Project.
Four blocks of Seventh Avenue, from 13th Street to Railroad Street, will receive sidewalks and handicap-accessible curbs on both sides of the street, new street lamps similar to those found at the Riverwalk, and brick-paved intersections.
Controversy has surrounded Karriem”s request for the funding provided by MDOT as an incentive to remove two railroad crossings on Eighth and Ninth Avenue North. The Columbus City Council voted 4-2 Nov. 16 to amend the city”s budget to allocate $50,000 for the revitalization project.
Critics have cried foul by claiming the improvements are less about economic development and community improvement, as Karriem suggests, and more about improving the area for Helen”s Kitchen, the restaurant owned for 23 years by Karriem”s family located off of Seventh Avenue.
“I think that”s ludicrous because we have all kind of elected officials that own property in the area they represent. Just because (Ward 4 Councilman Fred) Stewart owns a daycare on 20th Street, does that mean I”m not supposed to pave 20th Street? Just because the mayor owns property all over town, does that mean we”re not supposed to pave the streets?” Karriem said.
The revitalization plan doesn”t stop at sidewalks and street lights. Initial plans included widening the street in order to run utilities underground, but Karriem said those plans were abandoned when cost estimates came in at $250,000.
He still hopes to put down a Hollywood-style “walk of fame” near the site of the historic Queen City Hotel, which is already labeled with a Mississippi Blues Trail marker and a Mississippi Department of Archives and History marker, along with simpler plans like installing trash receptacles and benches.
Concerns have been raised regarding where Karriem will find the money for the later phases of his plan. With the MDOT money spent, some believe he”ll dip into the city”s $3.8 million bond issue to complete the project.
Karriem says his intention is to abide by the recommendations of the city engineer with respect to which streets in his ward are repaired, but won”t rule out using some of the bond money.
City Administrator David Armstrong said the council must vote on a plan which includes all projects to be funded by the bond issue before any work is done.
Others have questioned the necessity of the Seventh Avenue revitalization and whether the MDOT could be better spent elsewhere.
While Karriem doesn”t disagree with investing in downtown or Highway 45, he says the city owes the residents of Ward 5 who have been neglected for years. And he has 500 residents” signatures to back his claims.
“We have a very beautiful downtown. We”ve put a lot of emphasis on downtown for a long time. Now it”s time to invest not just in the city”s front door but also its back door,” he said. “You drive down Main Street and hit two lefts and you”re in the bad neighborhood. As a councilman, I owe it to my constituents to try to improve the quality of life in my area.”
Even if the revitalization project doesn”t attract businesses to the area, Karriem says the possibility of state designation as an entertainment district, which includes tax breaks for businesses, may do the trick.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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