The City of Indianola has made a significant financial commitment in hopes of securing a grant through a partnership with Indianola Chamber Main Street to build a boardwalk along a stretch of Indian Bayou.
This past Monday night, Dr. Adrian Brown of Brown & Associates Inc and Indianola Chamber Main Street Board President Bryan Davis presented a cost estimate to the board of aldermen for the new project.
Deemed the Indian Bayou B.B. King Boardwalk project, the total cost is currently estimated to be around $1 million. The city committed a total match of $250,000, or about $50,000 each year for the next five years.
The deadline for the grant application, which is being submitted to the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust, is Sept. 16.
The program was created by the Mississippi Legislature. While there is no required cash match, Brown told the board that such a commitment would give the application a higher score.
Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust funds were created and have been disbursed to encourage the usage of outdoor recreational space while conserving natural resources.
The current boardwalk concept stems from a visit and consultation provided by Mississippi Main Street in 2022. A host of potential projects for the downtown area of the city were presented in a final report, which included an artist’s conception of a boardwalk that runs through the bayou.
Brown said, “This concept came when Mayor (Ken) Featherstone and (Mississippi) Main Street came to the city and studied downtown, providing recommendations that will increase tourism. The Chamber of Commerce has agreed to serve as the applicant for the grant.”
The Chamber has been working for over two years on different beautification projects for the bayou.
Over $20,000 has been spent over the past two years by the city and Chamber collectively to dredge and spray the bayou.
The city also hired a contractor this summer to pave a number of city streets, including the stretch of Main Street that runs along the bayou, including the section where the boardwalk has been proposed.
“We hope that this will be a continuation of Indianola Chamber Main Street’s efforts to beautify downtown Indianola and Indian Bayou,” Davis said. “This is a worthy project, and we are putting our best foot forward, along with our partner in the City of Indianola, to secure funding for the boardwalk.”
Brown said, “We can add this as a third phase to the things that have been going on downtown.”
Brown also added that Ron Cassada and Gardner Engineering are working on the final engineering cost estimate.
Brown said, “We are asking the board to budget and make a cash-match contribution toward this project. The grant does not require a cash match, but we can score or receive 35 points out of 100 if there is a cash match for this project.”
The board asked if there was any specific amount that they would have to provide as the cash match.
Brown said, “We want to be generous, but we also want the state to know that we have a serious partnership. A typical match of a million-dollar project would be a quarter of a million dollars.”
The grant is a 100% funded grant, and Brown said that a partnership between the Chamber and the city is important, because grants are rated on public partnership, and if there is a partnership with the local municipality, and if that municipality has a cash match, 35 points may be added to the application.
Davis said, “This is going to be a continuous project for the city and the chamber moving forward. There isn’t going to be an end to the bayou project probably for the next five to ten years. There is going to be something to do with the bayou to keep it maintained.”
Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder offered support for the project during Monday’s meeting.
“Mayor I can see the vision, and it would look like partnering with them as a city and we need to be a part of the bayou,” Elder said.
Ward 3 Alderman Ruben Woods asked if the city and Chamber could use other grant resources besides the trust.
Brown said, “Yes, there are other programs we can tap into addressing the other phases.”
Woods said, “‘Cause Wildlife Fishing & Park built something like this in Belzoni.”
Brown said, “They have a Recreational Trails Grant that Parks & Recreation Director (Carolyn) O’Neal and the city of Indianola have applied for several times and has been funded, but that is certainly something we can explore in consideration of phase 2 or a third phase of this particular concept.”
Elder made the motion to commit to five years at $50,000 per year beginning with the 2024-25 fiscal year budget.
State-level officials have also lent their support to the project.
“The proposed bayou boardwalk project is a vital initiative for boosting tourism
and economic development in the city of Indianola and the Mississippi Delta,” District 13 State Senator Sarita Simmons told The Enterprise-Tocsin this week. “By providing an accessible pathway through the bayou’s natural beauty, the boardwalk will attract locals and tourists, enhancing growth for local businesses and creating jobs. This eco-friendly attraction will build on the city’s reputation as a vibrant, sustainable destination, benefiting the community and strengthening the region's economy."
Mississippi District 31 Rep. Otis Anthony told the E-T, "As a founding board member of Indianola Main Street, I have always been committed to enhancing our downtown business district and highlighting the unique assets that make our community special. The Boardwalk Project is an exciting opportunity to elevate our scenic bayou, which is not only a natural treasure but also a key part of our tourism appeal. By creating a more accessible and vibrant connection to the bayou, we are building on our rich history, from the Blues that run deep in our culture to the resilience and hospitality of our people. This project will beautify our city and strengthen our local economy by attracting visitors and creating a welcoming space for all to enjoy."
Brown said that the Chamber and city may hear back as soon as the first quarter of 2025 as to whether the grant has been awarded.
