One of the most popular attractions is downtown Vicksburg, the splash pad in Catfish Row Art Park, was closed for most of the summer due to technical issues.

Now the city is working to make sure that doesn’t happen again this coming year when families are looking for a way to cool off and have fun outside.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday approved a $7,500 contract with Landscape Services to prepare the plans and contract documents for the new pad, which South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour said should be ready by the summer.

“It will take about three to four weeks to prepare the plans. Once we get the design, the city will put it out for bids and then we’ll move forward,” he said. “We’re going to redesign it and make it better.”

The splash pad brings people to downtown and they in turn spend money at the restaurants and stores. Taking this step is an important investment for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to make as they work to make downtown a destination area.

The board also recently approved open container laws in the downtown district and new restaurants and bars are on the way to the area.

With riverboats constantly coming to town and Margaritaville scheduled to open next year, now is the time to invest in downtown and the board is showing they are willing to do just that.

Thank you Board of Mayor and Aldermen for making sure families have a place to go and have fun downtown as the area continues to grow, expand and improve.