[07/16/02]Vicksburg’s Main Street District may grow to encompass an additional 91 properties and generate more funds for the program.

Separately, a city project to improve downtown Washington Street and lay new bricks along the five downtown blocks was delayed until 2003.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen set a public hearing for 10 a.m. Aug. 19 at City Hall Annex for the request from the Main Street board of directors to increase the size of the taxing district and generate an additional $9,131 through taxing the additional property owners.

Rosalie Theobald, executive director of Main Street, said most of the owners she has spoken to are in favor of joining the district and paying the special tax.

“Everything we do, every parade and every festival, they benefit from. It’s a trickle-down effect,” Theobald said.

The district, created more than 15 years ago, includes 108 properties in downtown and generates about $31,086 a year from a 5.05-mill assessment on commercial property. The money funds staff, walking maps, brochures and advertising for downtown.

Theobald said the new money may be used to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy for the district.

Funding for Main Street also includes a $16,000 annual allocation from the city and a $16,000 allocation from Warren County under a new state law that allows the county to contribute for the first time this year.

Regarding the paving work, city officials rejected two bids for work on Washington Street that was scheduled to begin this month. Both bids came in over budget.

Work between Veto and Grove streets was to include laying new bricks and straightening a portion of the road.

When announced in January, the project was scheduled to begin in July and estimated to cost about $2.3 million, but the lowest bid came in at $2.9 million.

One reason for the additional cost was plans to stop work around Thanksgiving to avoid interfering with holiday shopping. Mayor Laurence Leyens said the city will readvertise for the project to begin in

January to avoid the holiday season.

“We felt like we could bring the cost down by not having a start/stop date,” Leyens said.

The work is expected to take at least five months and could run into April during Riverfest. He said there are no plans for work to stop around the annual event.

In other matters the board:

Received bids for new playground equipment at four more city parks.

Authorized the building inspector to cut and clean seven properties.

Donated an 8-inch single-head light to the Junior Auxiliary of Vicksburg.

Accepted a $12,792 donation to the Vicksburg Senior Center.

Approved the claims docket.

The city board will meet again at 10 a.m. July 25 at City Hall Annex.