We have urged local elected leaders, economic development and tourism officials, in consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to come together to discuss what can be done to develop Vicksburg’s waterfront.
Each time we have brought up the need for such discussions and improvements, many people have agreed something must be done, but as of yet, no movement.
It is time for such agreement to begin turning into action. It is time we begin finding out what is needed and begin learning what we can do to make those needs reality.
Quite often we have said that while we are proud of the house in which we live, our house is in desperate need of curb appeal.
In the competitive world of tourism, we are compared with those around us. Cities such as Natchez have invested wisely in its waterfront, not just for the enjoyment of their visitors, but for their residents as well.
By comparison, we fall well short.
We need to ask visitors what they see when they visit. We need to understand what blemishes they spot to get an outsider’s view.
Vicksburg’s waterfront is not going to fix itself.
The cracks on the boat launch, the overgrown lots near downtown businesses and parks will not fix themselves or clean themselves up.
It is time to get to work.
Leadership is what this project needs, and it is needed now.