MC President Leads Tours of New Mixed-Use Development Property

President Dr. Blake Thompson gave tours of the property to help MC faculty and Staff to envision the future changes.

Among the ongoing projects at Mississippi College, one project that all of MC is looking forward to is the mixed-use development project between U.S. Highway 80 and Interstate 20. Although the development is still in progress, Mississippi College’s president Dr. Blake Thompson has arranged tours for MC faculty and staff to view the site and to discuss plans for its use.

For one such site tour, Thompson welcomed MC’s systems librarian, Mr. Stephen Coleman, and associate art professor, Mr. Chase Quarterman.

Shortly after arriving at the development site, Thompson made his first stop, where he discussed his plan to open a hotel for visiting MC parents.

Thompson showed Coleman and Quarterman the trail winding through the development site.

While on the nature trail, Coleman brought up the historical water spring in the area. Thompson drove to said spring, mentioning that MC has already spoken to an environmental specialist about preserving the spring and getting the spring to work once more.

The spring, having been hidden throughout the years, has remained untouched and, to some extent, unknown to many Clintonians and students. This spring is one of the town’s two original springs.

After discussing his plans for the spring, Thompson overviewed the portion of land photographed above, where he plans to have a nature trail.

Following that, Thompson drove his tour group to an area close to the sports practice fields. He gave a brief history of the area and the possible renovations that could be made to the field.

Thompson drove visitors to a site that used to be an illegal dumping site, which was cleared out due to the ongoing renovation. 

Towards the end of the tour, Thompson addressed the question most students and faculty ask about the site: will there be any restaurants or fast-food chains? Thompson said that there have been many options on the table, some of which have been denied. Whataburger, for instance, was turned down for aesthetic purposes.

As Thompson made the last stop of the tour, Quarterman asked about the “road situation,” referring to how students will be able to safely cross the highway to the new development site once finished. Thompson has spoken to highway patrol officers to make the road changes necessary for pedestrians to safely cross the road. Thompson emphasized that the safety of his students and staff is his number one priority.

Before ending the tour, Thompson talked about his plans of making the Highway 80 entrance to MC the official entrance to MC for students.

Thompson mentioned that as changes are made at MC, the preservation of Clinton’s historical landmarks, like the one of the two original town springs found at the development site, are a major consideration. Thompson has many plans to expand and improve MC for students, faculty, and staff.