On Saturday, March 20, 2010, a joint task force of public and private sector Waveland citizens met to assist the city in organizing and prioritizing the future of our emerging Coleman District for old downtown Waveland. This initiative is being sponsored and coordinated by the Waveland Community Coalition in response to the need for a clearer picture of where we are going and how we will get there. Over the next 8-10 months our community will experience unparalleled growth in the Coleman District. We will celebrate the completion of many projects such as: A new Municipal Pier, beautiful streetscaping, new library facilities, an energizing new business incubator and a City Complex which will include a Fire Station. Within walking distance of Coleman Avenue we will also be able to utilize the services of a new Police Station and attend services at the new St. Clare Catholic Church. So much is happening and much more needs to be done to insure we utilize these assets properly. Pictures can be viewed here.

The Coleman District Development Group will act as a Steering Committee to give direction and guidance for three distinct areas of concentration: 1) Business Development & District Revitalization 2) Community Design & Beautification oversight 3) Promotion & Marketing of the district.

It will be a challenging responsibility but the Group is prepared for it. This Steering Committee has the necessary skill sets, knowledge and experience to make a difference.

Already, we have taken action in each of the three areas of concentration. To encourage revitalization we have completed a Property Inventory of the district identifying owners, addresses, values, parcel numbers and zoning requirements. This information, put together by Ashman-Mollere Realty, has been recorded and mapped. We are now in the process of putting together a property owner's survey requesting the status of their property. The survey will attempt to determine availability, intended use and desire to communicate with investors by the owners. This information, combined with the city's existing Coleman Avenue Zoning Districts Ordinance proposed by the WCC and crafted by Waveland's Planning & Zoning guru, Steve Hand, will allow us to better determine a direction for marketing efforts and investment opportunities within the area.

Design standards were set in the Coleman Avenue Zoning Districts Ordinance and an Architectural Review Committee was created to ensure compliance with those standards. The CDDG will be recommending appointees for this committee to the Board of Mayor & Alderman for their approval in the next few weeks. Also, our Comprehensive Signage Plan has been completed, with guidance from Nora and Ed Wikoff. We are in the process of securing funds for this project. Robbie Pitre, City Coordinator for the Keep Waveland Beautiful Program has completed all affiliate certification requirements and will be overseeing the Annual Great American Cleanup event scheduled for April 17, 2010, at the Sweetbay Hollow Nature Trail.

Our Promotion & Marketing efforts are in "full swing" with the launching of a new OysterFest event to be held in conjunction with the dedication of Waveland's new Garfield Ladner Pier on April 10, 2010. OysterFest will become an annual event that allows us to "bookend" destination festival events in April and October. The two largest events in Hancock County, Nerieds Parade and St. Patrick Day Parade, will now be joined by WaveFest and OysterFest as reasons for locals ,and visitors from outside our community, to visit, stay for a while and spend some money.

So much is happening so quickly! It's good to be able to feel the enthusiasm being generated from all the wonderful things beginning to happen in Waveland. If you share a desire to participate in any of these efforts, contact me. Your community can use you passion and assistance.

Thanks,
Charlie Cornelius, President, Waveland Community Coalition