[06/09/02]More than 80 new homes are being developed in areas off U.S. 61 North where contractors’ and Realtors’ signs are popping up almost daily between Interstate 20 and Bowie Road and east.

Most of the new development along the highway began about three years ago after River Region Medical Center announced plans to build the $112 million medical center that opened in February. Since then, several new businesses, including two banks, have opened in the two-mile stretch of U.S. 61 North.

“It’s really beginning to build up out in that area,” said District 1 Supervisor David McDonald.

G&M Builders is developing the 45-acre Stonegate Subdivision off Oak Ridge Road, just north of River Region. The development is one of several started in recent years along Oak Ridge and Bowie roads.

Separately, May & Campbell Land Company has submitted plans to the city for a commercial subdivision off U.S. 61 North south of the hospital behind a new Sonic Restaurant. The development is being called the Keystone Plaza and Office Complex.

Both of those developments and some others are within a four-mile area with the hospital at its core. That area has become one of the fastest growing in Warren County and George Jabour Jr., of G&M Builders said one reason is because of the growth that started with the hospital.

“It’s easier to grow where there is already activity,” Jabour said.

Jabour, who has been building homes in Warren County area for about 30 years, built several houses in the Openwood Plantation, the county’s largest subdivision, off Oak Ridge Road.

But Jabour said he is aiming for a different market than new homes along nearby Henry Lake Road.

“I’m kind of looking at first-time homebuyers or families,” Jabour said.

Homes in the Stonegate Subdivision will be in the 1,600-square-foot to 2,100-square-foot range with some larger, he said.

Along with residential homes, some commercial development has been started in that area since construction began on the hospital. Currently, a Super Jr. convenience store and a Treasures Learning Center are being built across Oak Ridge Road from Openwood.

Separately, signs along the highway near the hospital indicate plans to open another bank and more restaurants in the area.

Paul Campbell of May & Campbell said construction choices are limited.

“You can’t go any more west,” he said.

The commercial development will have room for five lots including one planned for the Renal Care Group, the kidney dialysis center currently at the old Levee Street Depot.

Campbell, who is also part owner of a car wash on U.S. 61 North, said he has owned the property for the commercial development for some time, but waited until after the hospital and Sherman Avenue Elementary School opened to start building. The school is one of two mega-elementaries opened by Vicksburg Warren School District two years ago.

“It finally got to the point where I thought it was time to,” Campbell said.

He also pointed to a growth in traffic along U.S. 61.

In 2000, the Mississippi Department of Transportation estimated that 24,000 vehicles traveled the stretch each day.

It has been estimated that hospital will bring another 3,500 daily.