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Tunica County board agrees to proceed with Moon Landing nonprofit partnership to steward historic site
Summary
The Tunica County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 2 to proceed with a partnership with Moon Landing, a nonprofit led by Mariah June Moon, to steward a historic site under a long-term nonprofit lease. The county will retain ownership while Moon Landing pursues a modest heritage pavilion and community programming.
Tunica County supervisors voted Feb. 2 to move forward with a proposed partnership with Moon Landing, a nonprofit that seeks to steward a historically significant site in the county.
Mariah June Moon, founder and chair of Moon Landing, presented the board with a plan for long-term stewardship that would keep county ownership of the land while granting a nonprofit lease she described as ‘‘between 20 to 99 years’’ at a nominal rate (Moon said ‘‘approximately or possibly $1 per year’’). The proposal calls for a small heritage pavilion and culturally focused programming to honor African American lineage tied to the site. ‘‘This is not a conversation on a transaction. It’s an invitation I’m hoping into a shared responsibility,’’ Moon said during her presentation.
Moon described the site’s historical role—dating to the 19th century—and framed the nonprofit’s work as conservation, public education and community programming rather than a land transfer. She asked the board for guidance on lease feasibility, direction from county legal counsel and help identifying a sustainable park area; she also requested an in-person follow-up working session.
Board members discussed the packet materials and a sample proposal that had been included for review. Dr. P. B. Willis said staff had met with Moon and that the sample proposal was in the board packet. The board then voted to enter into the agreement permitting staff and counsel to proceed with the partnership process; the motion carried.
The action authorizes county staff and legal counsel to pursue the next steps described in the presentation, including feasibility review, lease-drafting guidance and site identification. The county retains ownership of the property under the terms described by Moon.
Next steps: the county will direct legal review and staff follow-up to explore lease feasibility, grant opportunities and a sustainable site for the nonprofit’s pavilion and programming.
