Tupelo council declares 17-acre Elizabeth Street site suitable for urban renewal, sets April public hearing

The Tupelo City Council approved a resolution declaring certain property along Elizabeth Street blighted and suitable for an urban renewal project and set a public hearing for April 1 to consider amending the city’s urban renewal plan.

Steve, who presented the resolution, said the city acquired approximately 17 acres along Elizabeth Street in 2023 that formerly held the Federal Compress building. The resolution before the council is the first step in bringing that area within the jurisdiction of the city’s urban renewal authority and will advance an amendment to the urban renewal plan.

Under the schedule described by staff, the resolution’s public hearing will be held at the council meeting on April 1. The planning committee will review the amendment in March and make a finding on whether the amended urban renewal plan conforms with the city’s comprehensive plan. Staff said this action is procedural: the resolution declares suitability and sets the public hearing; no redevelopment contract, private developer selection, or tax-increment financing details were presented at the meeting.

Council members moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by voice vote. No roll-call tally or specific redevelopment proposals were discussed during the council meeting.