Hattiesburg leaders slate Meridian tour

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Nov. 22, 2002
A group of about 30 Hattiesburg city leaders and businessmen is expected to arrive in Meridian today to tour Union Station and downtown revitalization projects.
Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree said the city's engineer, small business owners and two Hattiesburg city councilmen will arrive in Meridian about 11 a.m. aboard the Amtrak Crescent. Sharon Smith, head of the Meridian Main Street program, said the visit "is a great chance for Meridian to show off what we've got here."
DuPree said Hattiesburg recently received about $4 million in federal and state funding to renovate the train depot and want to tour Meridian's Union Station to get ideas.
Meridian officially opened the multi-million dollar, multi-modal center on Dec. 12, 1997. Local officials credit Union Station with helping spark renewed interest in downtown revitalization, as several Front Street and adjacent businesses and restaurants have since opened. Other major projects, such as the $35 million Riley Education and Performing Arts Center and a $7 million downtown parking garage, are also in the planning stages.
Smith said the Hattiesburg officials will meet with Meridian city leaders, including Mayor John Robert Smith, who will outline plans for downtown revitalization. The group will then tour downtown on the trolley and eat lunch before heading back to Hattiesburg.