Tim Doherty

American Staff Writer

A proposed retail development on Hardy Street that would expand a local company's footprint in the Pine Belt was pitched Monday evening as much more than just another grocery store.

In a presentation to Hattiesburg City Council, Urban Development Director Pattie Brantley unveiled plans not only for what would be the sixth Corner Market store in the area, but a development that eventually would also incorporate a restaurant and retail/residential complex.

The Roberts Co. Inc. is asking for zoning changes and other variances on a 5.44-acre parcel on the southwest corner of Hardy Street and South 20th Avenue under a "Planned Unit Development" designation.

A project summary of "Corner Market on the Avenues" said the PUD "will allow development of mixed uses and will give the City of Hattiesburg more control over the types of occupancies that will be included in the development, thus protecting the adjoining Parkhaven historic neighborhood."

Brantley told the council during its work session Monday that the PUD would give the developer more flexibility with a project that had been planned and designed well.

"They have put a lot of heart and time into this project," Brantley said. "It will be an economic development shot in the arm."

The council is expected to vote requests today during its 5 p.m. meeting. If passed, the wheels would start spinning on the project immediately.

"We would plan on closing on the property before the end of the month, and then start construction immediately," said Forrest Roberts, owner/president of The Roberts Co. Inc. "It would probably be an eight- to 10-month construction project."

The project would include the construction of a 36,800-foot grocery store, which Roberts said would be the second-largest Corner Market in the state, trailing only a store in Vicksburg.

It would give the company its second Corner Market store in Hattiesburg and sixth in the Pine Belt. Local stores also are located in Petal, Oak Grove, Bellevue and Ellisville.

The project has received the backing of the Parkhaven Neighborhood Association and the Hattiesburg Historic Conservation Commission. Letters from the PNA as well as neighboring St. John's Lutheran Church were included in the packet presented to the council.

The Hattiesburg Planning Commission gave the project a thumbs up Oct. 1, voting 7-0 in its favor.

The project summary said the development would require the demolition of an empty single-family dwelling often referred to as the "Smith House." The 1930s-style house and garage, which sits to the south at the crown of the sloping property, had fallen into serious disrepair over the past several years.

The summary said The Roberts Co. intends to "incorporate historically significant materials from the home into the design of the new Corner Market."

The summary also said that trees currently along the right of way would remain intact and that "more trees will be planted than removed from the site."

"I know that this has taken a good while, but I want to thank you, Pattie, and I want to thank Forrest Roberts and his company, because I know they went the extra mile in meeting with the neighborhood association," Council President Kim Bradley said. "I know the problems that property has had over the years in trying to find the right fit, and I believe patience and due diligence and has worked out, and we have something that is really, really, really good.

"I think it's something that's good for the city and I'm glad that it's happening."

The Roberts Co. also owns the Sunflower grocery store, which is two blocks east of the proposed site. Should the project come to fruition, plans call for the renovation and redevelopment of the Sunflower building, which would then be put up for lease.

City reaches out for health

The City of Hattiesburg's efforts to increase the number of children and families with health insurance will be reaching out to neighborhood churches to reach into their communities.

A "Health Outreach Breakfast" for pastors in the Rowan, Lillie Burney and Hawkins school zones is set for 8:30-10:30 a.m. Oct. 31 at Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center.

Mayor Johnny DuPree, who has spearheaded the city's E3 Health Initiative Program, is asking that pastors join other community-based efforts to canvass the neighborhoods over the next few months and encourage insurance enrollment.

E3 administrators estimate that as many as 6,000 residents who live in the three school zones are eligible for Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Plan but are not enrolled.

"The benefits of having access to health insurance and preventive care are too significant for 6,000 individuals to not have health coverage," DuPree said. "We will do whatever we can to get those people in Medicaid or CHIP, and with the help of the community, we will be successful."

For more information on E3 or to volunteer in outreach efforts, contact coordinator Kathryn Rehner at (601) 606-5434 or krehner@hattiesburgms.com