Video: Officials Look At Ways To Aggressively Market Downtown Tupelo

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TUEPLO, MISS. (WCBI) – Since Tupelo City Hall relocated to Fairpark in 2001, there has been a move to bring more businesses and homes into the area.

“The economy has been a major downturn in all our issues, but we’re starting to come through that, figure out creative ways and really get stuff started in downtown Tupelo,” said John Oxford, chairman of the Tupelo Redevelopment Agency.

Oxford is open to ideas that will encourage more building in the downtown and Fairpark areas.

In fact, Oxford and fellow board members are reviewing recommendations from a South Carolina based consultant. Tripp Muldrow of Arnett, Muldrow and Associates says Tupelo needs an aggressive marketing campaign promoting everything downtown has to offer.

“It offers a great area to walk, area events, concerts, all types of business downtown and really a good place to be,” Oxford said.

Muldrow also suggests targeting young people as residents and encouraging development of smaller, cottage style homes.

Oxford says Fairpark has a lot of potential for the right developer.

“Someone that has access to capital, one and secondly , a good building plan, we can work with them to design a layout that would be good for marketing, good to draw people to the downtown area and can build houses, affordable, but with diverse range of prices as well,” he said.

While the recession did put plans for Fairpark and downtown on hold, Oxford and other TRA board members say it’s time to be proactive and market the area. A meeting is set for early December, here at the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association, to brainstorm , and hopefully generate excitement among developers, potential residents and businesses.