Bike lane work to begin this spring
Construction along South Lamar to start in March
BY ALYSSA SCHNUGG
Oxford residents living along the roads slated to get new bike lanes may see construction begin as early as March, and the Oxford Pathways Commission is looking for ways to let everyone know exactly when and where the lanes will be located.
Phase 2 of the Pathways Project was kicked off last week with the selection of D. Carroll Construction of Oxford, said Kevin McLeod with Elliott and Britt Engineering.
Details of Phase 2 were discussed during Monday’s meeting of the Oxford Pathways Commission.
Will Finn with D. Carroll Construction, the firm selected to build the bike lanes along several of the city’s roads with a high amount of pedestrians and bicyclists, said after an erosion plan is approved by the Mississippi Department of Transportation, construction on the first bike lane should start no later than March.
“It’s going to be a fun job to put together,” Finn said Monday. “We’re going to start on South Lamar close to Highway 7 and work from there up to Belk (Boulevard) and then we’ll move to Old Taylor Road and try to get that done while students are gone for the summer. And then we’ll move into North Lamar and Highway 334.”
Phase 2 is funded through an enhancement grant from MDOT and local matching dollars.
Staying informed
Finn asked the commission’s help in getting the word out to the community as to when and where construction will be taking place.
Assistant City Engineer Reanna Mayoral said letting residents know what’s going on is a goal for her department as well.
“One of the things we’re most sure about is making sure neighbors get a chance to hear from us before construction begins,” Mayoral said.
Some ideas discussed to help notify residents included putting up a flyer at each home describing the project with contact information for the city planning department and D. Carroll Construction, putting an interactive map on the city’s website and advertising in local newspapers.
Almost all of the bike lanes are being built on city rights-of-way, however, the construction could have some minor impact on some residents’ landscaping.
Approved by MDOT in the fall of 2010, the project is aimed at increasing non-vehicle transportation and recreation opportunities in Oxford by creating an interconnected grid of bike lanes, pedestrian sidewalks and multi-use paths.
Phase 1 consisted of building multi-use paths along Molly Barr Road and Old Taylor Road, including the conversion of the abandoned railroad tracks heading south toward Taylor. Phase 3 plans are still being discussed.
Phase 2 plans
The following projects are included as part of Phase 2 construction: — Construction of bike lanes along College Hill Road, proceeding past the McElroy intersection, then along Old Sardis Road ending at FNC Park.
— Construction of bike lanes along South Lamar from Frontage Road to the intersection of state Highway 7. South Lamar will have both full bike lanes and shallow lanes, or small striped lanes next to the sidewalk, with climbing lanes on uphill areas.
— Construction of lanes along a portion of Old Taylor Road, proceeding along Frontage Road, along South 18th and along Belk Drive.
— Construction of lanes along South 18th Street, proceeding down Bramlett Boulevard, and making a loop up Williams Avenue to North Lamar, around Highway 30 to Manor Drive, down Sisk Avenue back to Bramlett.
— Bike lanes along part of Hathorn Drive.
To see the design of phase two, visit: http://short.loupathways. org/p2mapj.
Other actions
In other business Monday, the Oxford Pathways Commission: — Announced construction of the new walking/biking trails and BMX track at FNC Park are almost complete.
— Approved submitting applications to the national program, Walk Friendly Community, to be considered a walk-friendly community and to the League of American Bicyclist to apply for Bike Friendly Community designation.
— Discussed possible events for the upcoming Green Week, April 16-22 that included a bike rodeo at FNC and a “bike-in” at the Square with the goal of getting 500 cyclists on the Square at one time.
— Discussed Bike to Work and Bike to School Day activities.
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Schools to get new gyms - The Greenwood Commonwealth
Officials and supporters broke ground on two school gymnasiums Thursday in Leflore County. The first, held at Leflore Elementary School in Itta Bena, is pictured here. From the left are Willie Perkins, school board attorney; parent Estelle Simms; Jeanette Brown, school board member; Shemeka Collins, school board secretary; Carl Palmer, recently retired principal of Leflore Elementary; Nekeshia Collins, Leflore Elementary's new principal; Jean Hall, superintendent; Watson Jackson, school board president; Roy Hudson, school board member; and Leflore County District 3 Supervisor Preston Ratliff. The gymnasiums, which cost more than $3.3 million, were designed by Luigia Hodge of the firm Dale-Bailey Architects of Jackson. The work is being done by D. Carroll Construction Co. of Oxford. Bothe gyms are scheduled to be completed December 23.
July 8, 2011
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GROUNDBREAKING EVENT FOR THE MUDDY WATERS ADDITION DELTA BLUES MUSEUM, CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI
Shelley Ritter, Delta Blues Museum Director
WHAT: The Delta Blues Museum will officially break ground on construction of a new wing, the forthcoming "Muddy Waters Addition". The event is closed to the public but open to the media.
WHERE: Delta Blues Museum, 1 Blues Alley, Clarksdale, Mississippi
WHEN: Tuesday, March 22, 2001 @ 11:00 a.m.
The Delta Blues Museum Board of Trustees, in coordination with the City of Clarksdale, the Stovall Family and D. Carroll Construction, LLC, will officially break ground on the Museum's new wing, to be dedicated as the Muddy Waters Addition. This addition, set for completion at the end of 2011, features a two-story wing that will house new permanent exhibits and will showcase the remains of the cabin from Stovall Farms, where McKinley Morganfield (aka Muddy Waters) grew up. Using the museum's collection of artifacts, the new exhibits ion the wing will feature the history of Clarksdale's blues culture, as told by the musicians and the music they created. The Muddy Waters Association is designed to complement the historic railroad depot, a Mississippi Landmark Property that currently houses the museum. Belinda Stewart Architects are the design lead for the new construction. Funding for the project is provided by the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Mississippi Department of ARchives and History, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the City of Clarksdale, the Chisholm Foundation and private donors.
The Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to creating a welcoming place where visitors find meaning, value, and perspective by exploring the history and heritage of the unique American musical art form of the blues. The City of Clarksdale, located at the intersection of Highways 61 and 49 ("the crossroads"), and the surrounding Delta region are known as "the land where the blues began." Since its creation, the Delta Blues Museum has preserved, interpreted, and encouraged a deep interest in the story of the blues. Established in 1979 by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and re-organized as a stand-alone museum in 1999, the Delta Blues Museum is the state's oldest music museum. For more information about the Museum or its programs, please call (662) 627-6820, or visit the Museum web site at www.deltabluesmuseum.org.
Official press release and images to be distributed on 03/22/2011. Members of the press may access the PRESS ROOM for further information, images and materials by registration on the Museum website.
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Beta Theta Pi fraternity plans renovation project
The Oxford Eagle, August 24, 2010
The men of the Beta Beta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity on the campus of the University of Mississippi began the first steps last week in a multi-phase remodeling project.
The chapter has contracted with Oxford architectural firm Howorth and Associates and D. Carroll Construction Company for the remodeling. Chaired by Ole Miss alumnus Randy Boyles and seven other actives and alumni of the Ole Miss chapter, the Remodeling Committee began the process of securing donations to start the first phase of the remodeling project.
The first phase includes a new entry way and look for the front of the chapter house. the Housing Corporation and Remodeling Committee believes the current donations for the remodeling of the chapter house offer an exciting opportunity for the future and updated look of the house. The chapter house was erected in 1964.
Construction on the front of the house inlcuding new pillars, front steps, windows, entry ways, exterior lighting and landscaping are expected throughout the fall and spring semesters.
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Twin Oaks Homes breaks ground on 6th annual St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway
Media Contacts:
Jessami Jacobson - ALSAC/St. Jude Lisa Hawkins - St. Jude Dream Home Chairperson
$100 tickets available soon for chance to win home valued at approximately $335,000
Tupelo, MS (December 8, 2009) - Representatives of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital joined Twin Oaks Homes to break ground on the 6th annual St. Jude Dream Home house on Thursady, December 10th, 2009. the house valued at approximately $335,000, is being built in the Fairpark District in downtown Tupelo.
Residents of the North Mississippi area will have an opportunity to win the newly built home valued at approximately $335,000. Alimited number of chances to win the St. Jude Dream Home house and theirteen additional prizes will go on sale for $100 each beginning in April 2010. The winning names will be announced on WCBI on June 27, 2010. All proceeds from the promotion will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the world's premier pediatric cancer research centers.
"Twin Oaks Homes is honored to participate in this important program," said David Carroll, owner of Twin Oaks Homes. "St. Jude is the driving force behind cancer research for children, and we are proud to play a role in expanding the hospital's mission. This is an opportunity to help thousands of families in need of support. We encourage everyone in the North Mississippi area to join us in this fundraising effort."
Other sponsors include WCBI, MISS 98, and Room to Room Furniture.
For more information about the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, visit www.stjudedreamhome.org.
About St.Jude
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, TN., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.
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Carver, Lawhon elementaries to revamp entrances:The school board approved $681,700 to redo them and get ready for shifts in grade levels.
By Michaela Gibson Morris
Daily Journal (www.nemiss360.com)
TUPELO, MS - Carver and Lawhon schools will have fresh welcomes for students in August.
The Tupelo Public School District Board of Trustees accepted a $681,700 bid from D. Carroll Construction of Oxford to renovate entrances and make other improvements at the two schools at its Tuesday meeting.
Construction is slated to begin as soon as school ends and must be completed by the end of July, said facilities manager Julie Hinds.
At Carver, the entrance will be relocated and the office expanded to provide much needed administrative space and improve the flow into the school. At Lawhon, a portico will be built, giving the school a covered entrance as well as improved curb appeal. Because of the elementary school reorganization that takes effect in August, both Carver and Lawhon will house different grade levels next year, and inside renovations also are part of the project.
At Carver, stair handrails and fire doors are being replaced to improve safety and navigation for younger kindergarten to second-grade students who will be attending next year. Lawhon, which will have older third- to fifth-grade students next year, will have the tiny toilets in its A building replaced.
In preparation for the reorganization, a total of 42 classrooms were added at Pierce, Thomas Street, Parkway, Joyner and Rankin campuses. All of the additions, except at Joyner, have been completed.
Over the summer, the district also will replace floor tiles in the first floor of B building at Tupelo High School, Hinds said.
No construction work is slated for Lawndale, Church Street or Tupelo Middle schools this summer. Contact Michaela Gibson Morris at (662) 678-1599 or michaela.morris@djournal.com.
Published May 27, 2009, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
The event begins at 11:45 a.m. inside the old Wal-Mart Building located within the Oxford Mall on West Jackson Avenue. The 11,000-square-foot facility currently houses labs for Transportation Modeling & Visualization, Nano Infrastructure Research, Concrete Durability, and Geotechnical. Mechanical engineering labs will also be included at a future date.
“Renovation by D. Carroll Construction of Oxford was completed in February,” said Alex Cheng, chair and professor of civil engineering. “Moving and furnishing of existing equipment has been in stages, and is not 100 percent complete. But work has been conducted in the lab since March.”
Cheng said future new equipment will include a Hopkinson Bar for testing material failure properties and a Shock Tube for blast and impact studies.
“Alumni support through the School of Engineering Advisory Board is the major reason why the university administration granted this new facility,” Cheng said. “The half-million dollar project was funded by the Provost Office, engineering dean’s office, and civil engineering.”
Cheng said the students will display the concrete canoe and steel bridge that they entered in the American Society of Civil Engineers ’ annual Deep South Region competition. Other points of interest include various faculty research projects, such as Sardis Lake water quality, retrofitting of New Orleans levees, and earthquake and disaster preparation in northern Mississippi.
“Research projects of special interest are the Nano materials for protecting buildings against terrorist threat and composite materials for the new generation of Navy DD(X) class ships,” he added.
D. Carroll Construction and Owner, David Carroll is featured in the annual report.
Hospital Administrator Terry Varner (left) and Kevin Clanton, project superintendent for D. Carroll Construction, look over the site of the new medical clinic adjacent to the Yalobusha General Hospital. Dirt work began there late last week. – Photo by Jack Gurner, North Mississippi Herald (1/14/09)