The Heritage Guild of Vicksburg & Warren County recently asked municipal candidates for Vicksburg’s mayor and Ward 2 alderman for their position on historic preservation. The Heritage Guild is a volunteer organization established in 2016 and open to all to join their efforts to champion the community’s historical assets.

Candidates were given questions on May 12 and asked to respond by May 22. Incumbent Mayor George Flaggs Jr. and challenger Willis Thompson responded to the questionnaire. Incumbent Ward 2 Alderman Alex Monsour also responded. Mayoral candidate Kasman Massey and Ward 2 challenger Vickie Bailey did not respond.

Question 1A: A significant multimillion dollar opportunity is coming to Vicksburg. The Vicksburg Civil War Visitors Center is a new partnership with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park & Campaign and the National Park Service. The Center will house a world class museum with event space, classrooms, and state of the art research facilities. Opening in 2028 the City has three years to prepare for the economic opportunities of the increase in visitors to our State and City. Vicksburg and Warren County citizens have long expressed concern over the unkept appearance of our town and interstate I-20 as the entrance and exit to Mississippi. There is blight, litter, vacant and poorly maintained properties on the corridors into our historic City. What would you propose to create a welcoming, safe and inviting atmosphere for our town?

Flaggs: Exploring options such as adding more welcoming signs at key entry points and launching new beautification initiatives will be essential to enhancing the city’s appearance. Community-wide clean-up days, landscaping projects, and public art installations can also play a significant role in making Vicksburg more visually appealing. Partnering with community organizations, neighborhood associations, and local businesses will foster a collective effort to keep our corridors and entryways attractive and inviting.

Thompson: I propose creating a welcoming atmosphere by ensuring the city is clean, well-lit, free of blight, and adequately maintained with eye-catching and informative signage. The main corridors should be attractive and there should be transit available to navigate to points of interest around the city. There should be thought given to ways to demonstrate diversity and inclusion so all are welcome to learn about the rich history and culture of Vicksburg. There will be a visible police presence with officers and all city personnel demonstrating friendliness and hospitality. A street infrastructure project would also complement these efforts and make the city more welcoming.

Monsour: As a board member of MML and a member of the Legislative Committee, I worked to help get passage of HB 733. This is a grant program that will allow the City of Vicksburg to select up to 15 private properties to clean up using this grant. This will help to ensure that we clean up the blight in our city.

Question 1B: What will be your plan to address and solve these issues with the City’s legal resources?

Flaggs: Reviewing and revising City ordinances to establish stricter guidelines for property maintenance and blight reduction is a priority. This includes streamlining the condemnation and demolition process for abandoned and unsafe structures while exploring partnerships with non-profits and grant programs to provide resources for property rehabilitation.

Thompson: The issues of litter and blight can be aided by consistent code enforcement. For example, the code should be reviewed and amended as needed to assist with enforcement and improvement goals. There should be action taken, such as seeking legislative authority, to resolve issues that may impede the ability to enforce the code, hinder the blight removal process, or prevent future blight.

Monsour: We are going to have to engage with our citizens on code enforcement. Our citizens need to do their part in following the city code when it comes to taking care of personal property and cleanliness.

Question 1C: How will you engage property owners, organizations, and citizens to enhance our community to showcase the new Vicksburg Civil War Visitors Center?

Flaggs: Launching an adopt-a-street/highway project would encourage local organizations, businesses, and residents to maintain specific areas, ensuring cleanliness and curb appeal. Additionally, placing informational brochures and directional signs throughout the city would guide tourists to the new Vicksburg Civil War Visitors Center and promote other key attractions.

Thompson: The city should engage stakeholders by promoting the positives of this project. The Vicksburg Military Park is the most visited cultural site in the state of Mississippi.The new Vicksburg Civil War Visitor Center will be a huge asset to the community that not only complement the military park and draw more visitors into the city, but is an educational tool that showcases the history of the city. This will definitely be a tourist attraction that enhances opportunities to showcase Vicksburg to tourists, historians, residents, and potential investors. Property owners, organizations, and citizens will be proud of having such an economic tool coming into the city that will instill a sense of pride and enhancement in education about the history of Vicksburg.

Monsour: We need to do a better job communicating with our business and homeowners to show them what our Civil War Park means to the City of Vicksburg in tourism dollars which also allows this administration to operate our budget without raising taxes. In return we would ask them to help upkeep their property and keep our city beautiful.

Question 2A: The City’s Main Street program and the Architectural Review Board have been integral in Vicksburg’s preservation efforts for over thirty years. A preservation professional employed by the City could initiate best 21 century practices to programs such as: comprehensive preservation plan, disaster plan, liaison with developers/contractors on city ordinances, and grant writing. This position could support the existing Main Street Program and develop a separate City Historic Preservation Board to move beyond that of review/ implementing city guidelines to one which is more focused and engaged in developing and sustaining preservation efforts for our community. Would you support a professional preservation staff position?

Flaggs: Yes, I would support the establishment of a professional preservation staff position. As Vicksburg prepares for the opening of the Vicksburg Civil War Visitors Center, it is essential to have a dedicated professional focused on comprehensive preservation planning, disaster preparedness, and grant writing. This position would work closely with the Main Street Program and a newly formed Historic Preservation Board to ensure that our city’s historic assets are preserved, leveraged, and showcased effectively. By investing in professional preservation expertise, we are not only protecting our heritage but also positioning Vicksburg as a premier destination for cultural tourism and economic development.

Thompson: I already envision hiring a city planner for existing land use, housing, and development needs. A city planner can also create and enforce zoning laws that protect historic districts and buildings, identify historic sites, and design guidelines for renovations. A city planner would also be beneficial in securing state and federal preservation funds that are crucial in preservation efforts. This position can meet both needs.

Monsour: Yes, I would support a professional preservation staff position.