Video: T.U.P.E.L.O. Plan Gets Review In Yearly Session

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TUPELO, MISS.  (WCBI) – When Jason Shelton ran for Tupelo mayor two years ago, the T.U.P.E.L.O Plan was the centerpiece of his campaign.

Now, two years into his first term,  Shelton held a review session for the broad initiative and WCBI’s Allie Martin was there.

It is music to the ears of city planners.

An older home is being renovated and will soon be on the market.  It all fits into the T.U.P.E.L.O Plan.  The acronym stands for Transportation, Urban Renewal, Public schools and public safety, Economic Development , Low Taxes, and Openness in Government.

“One of the biggest is obviously neighborhood revitalization,  stronger neighborhoods, getting young professionals back in Tupelo, to me, everything we do is connected to that goal,” said Mayor Shelton.

For the second year in a row, department heads gathered to review the T.U.P.E.L.O plan, and see how the process is moving from the drawing board to reality.

A large part of the meeting focused on urban renewal, in particular, the West Jackson Street project.

Perhaps the most visible sign of the West Jackson Street revitalization project is this building behind me.  A few years ago the city got this dilipidated apartment complex.  They sold it to a group of investors and soon they will tear the building down and in its place, a new restaurant.  City officials hope it becomes a blueprint for projects in the future.

“Working with neighborhoods, it’s very in depth, a lot of details have to be done,” said City Planner Pat Falkner.

Attention to those details seems to be paying off.  Local realtors say more clients want a Tupelo address.

“First of all, the schools, we always have that discussion, and as well as different community things being offered,  with different events going on in Tupelo.  Also East Main development and how they’re providing that with walkway from downtown to Elvis Presley birthplace,” said Susan Griffin, an agent with Tommy Morgan Realtors.

Department heads are quick to point out the initiative takes a lot of work, and planning, but they believe the benefits will make it all worthwhile.

Recently, Tupelo passed its 2016 budget, with a pay hike for city employees, and no tax increase.