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Community Offers Solutions for Blighted Areas in North Jonesboro; Road Closures Expected

KASU | By Brandon Tabor

Published March 18, 2016 at 9:38 AM CDT

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Here's another group of citizens with U of M students voicing opinions about what do to with various areas along the corridor.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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City of Jonesboro Community Services Manager Emma Agnew explaining the progress made from the last time the city used grant.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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City of Jonesboro Grants & Community Development Administrator Kimberly Marshall telling participants what to expect from the program.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin making a case for the importance of the city receiving the grant.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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Techincal Assistance to Brownfields for Kansas State University Oral Saulters explaining what the goals for the evening are. The Environmental Protection Agency relies on KSU-TAB to give input on how to award grants to applicants.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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Jenna Thompson from the University of Memphis Department of Architecture preparing citizens for the breakout session to make their recommendations heard. U of M is one of the partners who helps to analyze the blighted areas and generate ideas.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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North Jonesboro was represented by a cross section of residents and business owners of all ages at the meeting.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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The old Wolverine Plant (now owned by the city) is one of the 4 areas being discussed allong the corridor for development. This tied for top priority for development among residents.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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This is the Railyard Roundhouse on Cate St. This is another area being looked at for development. This tied for top priority for development among residents.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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The recycling yard was another area up for discussion for development opportunites using the Brownfield grant.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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The final area up for discussion was an abandoned car lot.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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Another project being worked are these proposed connections to help connect North Jonesboro more to the rest of the city.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

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This is one of the U of M Architecture students giving suggestions for what to do with one of the area in question.

Brandon Tabor, KASU

If the city had the money, what do you want to see happen to blighted areas?

That was the question University of Memphis School of Architecture students and Kansas State University Technical Assistance to Brownfields representatives were asking citizens as they discussed 4 areas in North Jonesboro. The areas are located along the railroad corridor expanding from Arkansas State University to Riceland foods.

This is a map of the Railroad Corridor being discussed with citizens. It spans from Arkansas State University to Riceland Foods in North Jonesboro.

Citizens were asked for their opinions at the public meeting Thursday in the Municipal Building on how to use funds from an Environmental Protection Agency “Brownfield” grant for the city.

The grant allows the city to eliminate blight, increase connectivity with the rest of the city, and increase economic opportunity. Mayor Harold Perrin says he believes this grant will help keep residents safe and boost the city’s economy:

Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin addressing a room full of business leaders and residents at the meeting. He plans to visit Washington D.C. sometime in April to present the citizens' recommendations while applying for the grant.

"I can tell you that blighted areas create crime; there's no question in my mind," Perrin said to the participants. "Our quality of life is incredible. 'People, Pride, and Progress' is our logo, and that’s exactly what we do.”

Community Services Manager Emma Agnew says the city plans to summarize the suggestions for use in the grant application process.

Perrin says he plans to take the information with him to Washington D. C. later this year.

In related news, road crews will have the inside lanes closed on Red Wolf Blvd from Aggie to Johnson beginning Monday.

Workers will be removing the median and creating a turn lane. Officials say the project is expected to last for 2 weeks if weather permits.