STARKVILLE — Five private roads in north Starkville could become public thoroughfares this year after the city annexed the area almost two decades ago.
This would allow city maintenance crews to provide infrastructure upkeep in the future.
Since the 1998 annexation, numerous roads in the city’s expanded footprint have gone through the public dedication process, but Fannie Dale Road, Hendrix Road, Jessie Road, Roundhouse Road and Treasure Lane remain under private control.
Those thoroughfares will become public streets if property owners are willing to give control to the city.
Mayor Parker Wiseman, Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins and city staff will hold a workshop at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall to explain the deeding process to residents along those roads, as well as other steps required to transition ownership of the infrastructure.
Perkins said the city will also offer legal services for residents, and those participating homeowners will not have to pay the costs associated with deed preparations.
The Dispatch was unable to ascertain how many residents the road dedications could impact. Perkins said it is “fair to say a large number.”
“The conversion from private to public allows the city the legal opportunity to come in and do anything we can to assist these residents. Once they become public, we’ll provide services based upon available resources, eventually working toward chip-sealing the roads,” Perkins said. “It may be an extended time before we can chip-seal the road or even begin thinking about an (asphalt) overlay. I can’t make any promises, but this will give us the opportunity to address those needs when resources become available.”
Currently, Wiseman said, an inter-local agreement with the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors allows county maintenance crews to maintain the infrastructure.
“We want to show the taxpayers that we are being mindful that their roads are part of our city,” Perkins said. “Some are in terrible shape and deplorable conditions, just shameful conditions. We need to do something.”
A review of Starkville’s official street map from 2013 showed 39 private roads were located within city limits at the time, including the five up for public dedication.
Starkville’s ward map shows Fannie Dale Road, Jessie Road and Roundhouse Road are located within Ward 6, while Hendrix Road and Treasure Lane are located in Ward 5, directly across the Ward 5-6 boundary of South Montgomery Street.
An error could be present in the ward map, as Perkins said all five roads are located in Ward 6.
The map’s ledger lists Hendrix Road but directly labels it as “Hendrick Road.” Additionally, the city’s ward map lists Jessie Road as “Jessie Drive.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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