The Pearl River Revitalization Coalition issue the following statement.
Secretary Adam Telle, the head of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, has selected a project design that will bring long-awaited flood control and community benefits to Mississippi’s
Capital Region. The Pearl River Revitalization Coalition applauds the decision, which advances meaningful flood
protection and positions the region for long-term resilience and economic opportunity. The selected plan, based on
Alternative D1, includes widening the Pearl River within the existing levee system and constructing a weir south of I-20.
The project is designed to reduce flood risk to hundreds of homes and businesses in Hinds and Rankin Counties while
reopening access to a river that has largely been closed off since the levees were constructed in the 1960s.
“This decision is a victory for common sense and offers an opportunity for economic growth in one of the nation’s most
disadvantaged cities,” said Chip Pickering, board member of the Great City Mississippi Foundation. “Our Capital Region’s
growth has been constrained for too long by bureaucratic delays. Thanks to Secretary Adam Telle’s leadership, the
Trump Administration’s new “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative has turned the Corps into an agency that is
working for the best interests of the American people, and that can be seen in this decision for Jackson.”
“This decision finally brings real flood control to Jackson and gives our region hope for a brighter future,” said Jeff Rent,
President and CEO of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. “Decades of work from elected officials, business and
civic leaders, our federal delegation, and our state’s leadership have brought us to this moment.”
In addition to flood risk reduction, the plan allows public access to a river that has been inaccessible for generations.
“This decision marks a new day for Jackson. When cities embrace their rivers, they unlock new opportunities for growth,
tourism, and economic revitalization,” said Rickey Thigpen, President and CEO of Visit Jackson. “Under the leadership of
Mayor John Horhn, Jackson is rising, and this is the type of catalyst project that can propel us to new heights.”
The Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District has led the regional flood control effort and maintained
the existing levee and pump systems since their completion in 1967. The District works in coordination with federal, state,
and local partners to advance flood protection, conservation, and infrastructure improvements throughout the region. For
decades, residents across the Jackson metro area have experienced recurring and damaging flood events along the
Pearl River, impacting homes, businesses, public infrastructure, and water treatment systems. Addressing flood risk is
essential not only to protect lives and property, but also to strengthen long-term resilience and stability for Jackson, Pearl,
Flowood, Richland, and surrounding communities.
Beyond flood control, the project offers a wide range of community benefits, including:
1. Improved public access to the Pearl River
2. New recreational amenities such as parks and trails
3. Opportunities to modernize water infrastructure in South Jackson
4. Enhanced water quality
5. Expanded environmental education efforts
6. Increased economic development potential
7. Reconnecting Jackson’s identity to its river
Since 1979, Jackson has experienced recurring detrimental flood events that have resulted in monetary damages, loss of
homes and businesses, and local water treatment facility failure. In 2020, and again in 2022, residents in the Jackson
metro area watched floodwaters rise into their streets and homes. Neighborhoods such as Canton Club Circle and McLeod
were among the hardest hit, left vulnerable year after year as the Pearl River crept beyond its banks. The Pearl River
Flood Risk Management Project could reduce future flood damage in the Jackson metro area by 71%.
The Pearl River Revitalization Coalition (PRRC) is a partnership of educational institutions, community organizations,
private sector leaders, and nonprofits working to advance a comprehensive, community-centered approach to flood
protection. The Coalition fully supports this collaboratively developed plan to reduce flood risks, reconnect residents with
the river, modernize critical infrastructure, encourage investment in parks and trails, and help Jackson thrive for
generations. The Coalition has fully supported and advocated for the approach of the Alternative D1 Flood Control
Solution because it offers a comprehensive flood control solution, investment in modern infrastructure, opportunities for
public access to the river, and a collective city-wide identity. While the project’s first priority is to provide a flood control
solution to resolve the ongoing flood crises in Jackson, the Pearl River Revitalization Coalition seeks to support broader
community benefits and public access points. This multifaceted approach aims not only to mitigate flooding but also to
enhance the quality of life for residents by creating green spaces, recreational areas, and educational programs that foster
a deeper connection to the environment.
Members of the Pearl River Revitalization Coalition Include: City of Jackson, Hinds County, Greater Jackson Chamber of
Commerce, Visit Jackson, Downtown Jackson Partners, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State
University, Tougaloo College, Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Belhaven University, Hinds Community College,
Greater Belhaven Foundation, Great City Mississippi Foundation, Jackson Heart Foundation, Fondren Renaissance
Foundation, MS Children’s Museum, Mississippi Museum of Art, C Spire Foundation, Jackson Medical Mall Foundation,
Ergon Foundation, LeFleur East Foundation, Clean Up Jackson.
23 comments:
I hear the thunder of thousands of little hooves headed towards the trough.
Incredible! Great news for Jackson and Mississippi! Here we go!
Should be called LeFleur Lake or Lake LeFleur
Will Socrates Garrett get the contract?
Will this be upstream or downstream from the sewage contaminated water?
Love the artists rendition. Now, how's it really gonna look like?
Great news for the guy who owns the waterfront property…I wonder who that is?
All it took to get this going was for Chip Pickering and Haley Barbour to figure out a way to make money off it.
Time to freak out over in Laddville.
This is incredible. Best news EVER.
Is the city still discharging millions of gallons of shit into this river?
"One Lake" comments in 3, 2, 1...
Imagine the smell
First time I've learned a word on JJ.
Weir-d!
Lake Boo Boo
Huge news!! This is great for
The city and the surrounding areas. Long overdue
Jackson is Rising!
"the plan allows public access to a river that has been inaccessible for generations." - We HAD access to it until they blocked all the paths to the river. It used to be a place to ride dirtbikes, ATVs, camp, fish and swim. (Not that I would swim in that now) but calling in inaccessible it not factual. It is only inaccessible because of bureaucrats.
All back-clapping, no real substance.
The time is NOW to buy investment property in Jackson!
4. Enhanced water quality? Do tell.
The Year is 2050. The plan is still tied up in litigation. No work has ever broken ground.
This is a group of NE Jackson rich elites and several physicians that hatched this plan. The elites will benefit most. Look at most of the developers in Madison county and rankin co… they live in NE Jackson. The lost rabbit developer lives in Belhaven and several Belhaven residents own lots there. So believe me when I say a few will be making the money here off this
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