Community Improvement District – Here in Greater Belhaven

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This past Spring Governor Phil Bryant signed into law legislation that allows for neighborhood associations with 501(c)(3) non-profit status to apply to become a Community Improvement District (CID). The passage of this legislation allows communities to form special assessment districts in order to enhance their neighborhoods and property values. The proposed Greater Belhaven Community Improvement District is the first step toward creating a detailed plan to improve Greater Belhaven.

The Greater Belhaven Foundation is in the beginning stages of becoming a Community Improvement District.

What does that mean?

The Foundation has formed a CID Committee comprised of: Margaret Cupples (Chair), Rod Clement, Susan Garrard, Michael Stevens, Steve Funderburg, Claire Barksdale, Charles Lindsay, Barbara Austin, Rob Farr, Jennifer Welch, Ruffin Lowry, Laura Neill and Reed Hogan III. The Foundation has hired Belhaven resident, Amanda McGuffey, as our CID Administrator to help navigate us through this process. The Foundation has submitted our proposed CID Petition to the City of Jackson for approval.

What is next?

As the Community Improvement District legislation is new to everyone we are taking things one step at a time. Once the City approves our proposed Petition, we will start collecting signatures from our Greater Belhaven residents!! Be sure to follow us on social media and check for website updates as we have some SUPER FUN plans to KICK OFF this process!!

The Greater Belhaven Foundation Receives Mississippi Arts Commission Grant

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The Greater Belhaven Foundation has been awarded a $3,100 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the nearly $1.4 million in grants the Commission will award in 2019-2020 and will be used to help fund the Being Belhaven Art Series.

The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. “The Mississippi Arts Commission is proud to support arts organizations as well as arts activities and festivals around the state through grant-making,” said Malcolm White, executive director of MAC.

“These funds help broaden the reach of arts by educating our communities about Mississippi’s enduring creative legacy and offering arts experiences and performances to people in nearly every area of the state.”

The Being Belhaven Art Series serves to accomplish the “quality of life” goal of the Foundation’s mission statement. Primarily it is our goal to bring not only Belhaven and Belhaven Heights residents but the communities throughout Jackson together to celebrate community through the arts. Our programs are free and open to all of Jackson and the surrounding metro area, this allows for art exposure to members of the community who would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience the performances that we provide.

The Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, serves the residents of the state by providing grants that support programs to enhance communities; assist artists and arts organizations; promote the arts in education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage. Established in 1968, the Mississippi Arts Commission is funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and other private sources. The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.

Greater Belhaven Foundation Recognized at The Mississippi Main Awards

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The Greater Belhaven Foundation was the recipient of two awards at this year’s Mississippi Main Street Awards Luncheon held on Thursday June 13 at the Old Capitol Inn.

Virgi Lindsay was the recipient of the Main Street Hero Award, this award recognizes one outstanding community leader or public figure who has displayed an involved commitment to downtown and his or her Main Street program. She was nominated by the Greater Belhaven Foundation.


The Greater Belhaven Foundation won Outstanding Creative Event for Bright Lights Belhaven Nights. This award recognizes the downtown organization that has created a quality creative event, generating traffic for the downtown.

Bright Lights Belhaven Nights Announces Event Details for Upcoming Music Festival

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The Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation (GBF) is pleased to announce that 15th annual street festival, Bright Lights Belhaven Nights, (BLBN) is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, 2019, 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., in the historic Belhaven neighborhood. This family fun event presented by Baptist Health Systems, C Spire, The Manship, and Southern Beverage Company will feature live music on three stages, as well as local, handmade craft vendors and the most delicious food and beverages from Mississippi’s restaurants and breweries.

Get Tickets Now

The 2019 event will feature Gin Blossoms as the festival headliner. Southern Komfort Brass Band will lead a Second Line during the event. A full band line-up will be announced soon. Children of all ages will enjoy the special and ever-popular children’s activities area that is open until 8:00 p.m. This year’s event will also feature a dedicated beverage area as well as the expanded food truck area introduced with last year’s festival.

Set in the historic Belhaven neighborhood, the street festival is an end-of-the-summer tradition that celebrates all things that make Greater Belhaven a great place to work, live and play, including art, music, children’s activities and food. Bright Lights Belhaven Nights has repeatedly been named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast for the month of August by the Southeast Tourism Society. The historic Belhaven neighborhood also was designated as one of American Planning Association’s “Great Neighborhoods in America 2014.”

VIP Passes are $100 per person and Advance tickets are $15 per person both are available online here or $20 at the gate (cash only). Children ages 12 and under are free and must be with a supervising adult at all times. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.

Get Tickets Now

The festival will extend along Carlisle Street from McDade’s parking lot toward New Stage Theatre, and also turn onto Kenwood Place and extend into Belhaven Park. Free parking will be available along Belhaven streets that have not been closed off, and in the parking garage adjacent to Baptist Health Systems Medical Arts East at the corner of North and Carlisle Streets. The entry gates will be located on Carlisle and Poplar Streets.

To learn more about Bright Lights Belhaven Nights including the band line-up, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/belhavennights, follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/greaterbelhaven and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/greaterbelhaven, visit us at www.greaterbelhaven.com/blbn or call 601-352-8850.

Become an Arts Vendor
Become A Sponsor
GREATER BELHAVEN SECURITY ASSOCIATION

Crime and Safety

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As many of you have seen on the news lately Greater Belhaven is experiencing an abnormal amount of criminal activity. The Jackson Police Department and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department have increased patrols in our area in order to apprehend the individuals responsible. The best line of defense is talking to your neighbors and keeping an eye out for each other. If you see something suspicious take a picture first and then call Securitas and 911. Make sure to write down license plate numbers and descriptions.

Please utilize our Greater Belhaven Security Association Services and call Securitas (601) 720-6452 if you see anything that appears out of place. If you are not a member please consider joining, information can be found at www.greaterbelhaven.com

If we all work together we can catch the individuals responsible and send the message that we will make sure criminals are caught.

Join us to learn more about the ONELINE transit project!

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Oneline Informational Meeting Monday, February 25, 4-6 pm Billy Kim International Center at Belhaven University

The ONELINE project will directly impact a 20 square mile area of the city stretching from Jackson State University to Downtown to Fondren. This core area contains the highest concentration of employment and institutions in the state. Some of the major institutions include Jackson State University, Millsaps College, Belhaven University, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Baptist Medical Center, along with the City, County, and State Government Offices. The ONELINE project has the potential to create new waves of investment in reshaping the development of the corridor and take advantage of demand for walkable-transit oriented urban spaces. The introduction of a bus rapid transit system (BRT) along the corridor will catalyze development and increase employment opportunities for the residents of Jackson.

Over the past year the Department of Planning and Development has been working on the ONELINE project with a steering committee made up of major institutions along the corridor which include University of Mississippi Medical Center, Millsaps College, Jackson ADA Council, Jackson State University, Fondren Renaissance, Belhaven University, and Downtown Jackson Partners.

Planning and Development Director Mukesh Kumar said, “We plan to move our city toward the model of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). ONELINE is the major step forward in that direction. With the backbone of robust public transit, we expect to respond to the mobility needs of all citizens regardless of their physical, economic, and age status.”

Come learn how this this new project will impact Belhaven, for the better of course!

Community Meeting Format
-Presentation: 30 minutes
-Quick Q&A: 10 minutes
-4 Breakout Session: 1 hour 20 minutes

The breakouts will be organized and led by several City of Jackson Planning and Development members. 1 breakout session will be led by the Institution which will focus on community feedback with a city planner in attendance.

The breakout sessions are:

1. Bus Rapid Transit
2. Mobility as a Service
3. Transit Shelter Designs
4. Community Feedback

 

Congrats to these winning folks from Greater Belhaven!

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The Greater Belhaven Foundation would like to congratulate all of our Jackson Free Press Best of Jackson winners and finalists!

Best of Winners:

Cody Cox (Urban Foxes) – Best Barista
Jamie Moss (Fenian’s Pub) – Best Bartender
New Stage Theatre – Best Local Live Theatre Group & Best Stage Play for “Sister Act”
Beau York – Best Local Podcast
Bright Lights Belhaven Nights (Greater Belhaven Foundation) – Best Festival
Millsaps College Arts & Lecture Series – Best Public Forum or Speaker Series
Deep South Pops – Best Locally Owned Business
Fenian’s Pub – Best Open Mic Night
Keifer’s – Best Local French Fries, Best Mediterranean Food, & Best Hangover Food
Pizza Shack – Best Local Pizza
The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen – Best Caterer
Baptist Healthplex – Best Fitness Center/Gym
Fairview Inn – Best Place to book a Party or Shower

Best of Finalists:

Ben Ford (Deep South Pops) – Best Barista
Alex Eaton (The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen) – Best Chef
Jamie Moss (Fenian’s Pub) – Sexiest Bartender
Jeremy Loving (Lou’s Full Serv) – Sexiest Bartender
David Lewis – Best Urban Warrior
Fenian’s Pub – Best Bar, Best Place to Drink Cheap, Best Service Industry Hangout, Best Pub Quiz/Trivia, Best Hangover Food & Best College Student Hangout
The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen – Best Beer Selection at a Restaurant, Best Place for a First Date, Best Happy Hour, Best Local French Fries, Best Breakfast, Best Place for Dessert, Best Fine Dining , Best Restaurant, Best Brunch, Best Wine List/Selection & Best Local Pizza
Library Lounge – Best Pub Quiz/Trivia
Picante’s Mexican Grill – Best Margarita & Best Mexican
Keifer’s – Best Outdoor Dining & Best Place for Hummus
Lou’s Full Serv – Best Place for Dessert, Best Restaurant & Best Local Burger
Deep South Pops – Best Place to Get Coffee & Best College Student Hangout
Kat’s Wine and Spirits – Best Liquor/Wine Store
Paul Moak Automotive – Best Car Dealer (New or Used)
The Fairview Inn – Best Place to Get Married

Become a sponsor of Art for the Park 2019!

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Plans are underway for Art for the Park, 2019! The Belhaven Garden Club and the Friends of Laurel Street Park invite you to join us in supporting this great cause. This year’s event will take place Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the Fairview Inn. The featured artist will be Belhaven’s own, Casey Creasey.

Friends, neighbors, and businesses came together in 2017 to raise over $20,000. Through this biannual fundraiser, thousands of families have continued to enjoy Laurel Street Park. Older equipment has been repaired and repainted, swings have been replaced, trees have been planted, and new benches have been built. An emergency call button and security cameras have been purchased with plans for installation. We couldn’t have done it without donors like you.

As Art for the Park 2019 approaches, we look forward to building on the success of previous fundraising efforts. In addition to regular park maintenance, funds raised this year will go towards constructing a paved walking path around the entire park. Miles will be walked, bikes of all sizes will scoot along the pavement, and children of all ages will have a safe and fun place to play. Additional playground equipment purchases and facility improvements are on the horizon as well.

Art for the Park 2019 Sponsorship Opportunities

Great Oak Sponsors: $1000.00

Receive 6 complimentary tickets to the event as well as 4 drink tickets redeemable at The Library during the event. This also includes recognition on all party advertisements as well as invitations.

Trail Blazers: $500.00

Receive 4 complimentary tickets to the event as well as 2 drink tickets redeemable at The Library during the event. This also includes recognition on all party advertisements as well as invitations.

Red Buds: $250.00

Receive 2 complimentary tickets to the event. This also includes recognition on all party advertisements as well as invitations.




Thank you to all of our 2018 Donors!

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Because of you, our neighborhood has the resources it needs for growth and continued success.

  • From the renovation of Fortification Street, the restoration of Belhaven Park, the Laurel Street Park beautification projects, development of the Belhaven mixed-used building, to strategic private-public partnerships and beyond, your generous support continues to show its value throughout our neighborhood.
  • When someone loves their neighborhood as much as you do, they want to tell the world all about it! Your dedication to Greater Belhaven helps us spread the word about neighborhood events such as Bright Lights Belhaven Nights and the Arts Series in the Park, new businesses and the growing economic vitality of the area.
  • Our job goes far beyond events, promotion and neighborhood businesses, and you’re right there doing the hard work with us. By providing a voice for preservation, neighborhood land-use and other interests, we’re able to protect the integrity and character of Greater Belhaven. Because of you the foundation of Greater Belhaven is strong, and will remain so for generations to come.
  • Your impact reaches far beyond our neighborhood! Jackson is better because of the collective works of the historic neighborhood organizations, institutional neighbors, and the people that support them.

We appreciate your continued dedication to historic preservation, neighborhood character, and economic vitality in Greater Belhaven!

Major Sponsors

Baptist Health Systems
The Manship
Cspire
Funderburg, Sessums & Peterson, PLLC

Belhaven 100

Ivy and Frank Alley
Betty and John Allin
Carey and James Armstrong
Barbara Austin
Vidal Blankenship
Sherry and Royce Boyer
Mary Jo and Frank Briggs
Angelyn and Barry Cannada
Marsha and Tim Cannon
Alice and Rod Clement
Casey and Sam Creasey
Katy and Nelson Creath
Margaret O. Cupolas
Betsy and Kane Ditto
Virginia and Rob Farr
Corrine Fox
Susan and John Garrard
Nan and Bill Harvey
Katie Hester
Beth and Mark Hodges
Diane and Reed Hogan
Jona and Jimmy Keeton
Christy and Dallis Ketchum
Lelia and Sam Lane
Virgi and Chuck Lindsay
Mary Allyson and Ruffin Lowry
Bill McCarty III
Kathryn and Will McCraney
Gerald and Kathryn McCormick
Annie Laurie and Tom McRee
Carter and Matt Milner
Frances and Cooper Morrison
Ginnie and Luther Munford
Kay and John Olliver
Susan and Bill Osborne
Amanda and Scott Overby
Beverly and Bill Painter
Phoebe and Rob Pearigen
Becky and Don Potts
Elizabeth Robinson
Linda and Jimmy Robertson
Harrylyn and Charles Sallis
Tamar and Peter Sharp
Susan Wellman and Donald Sittman
Mary Ellen and Kurtis Vande Streek
Carol Taff
Margaret and Jim Tohill
Marcus Treadway, Jr.
Kathy and Andy Waring
Jennifer Welch
Kara Norris and Malcolm White
Libba Wilkes
Mary Amelia and Damon Wofford
Laura and Walt Wofford
Margee and Collins Wohner
Catie Carlyle and Bo Zimmerman

Gifts from Businesses

Belhaven House and Garden Club
Belhaven Residential
Blanchard Group, LLC
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
The Fairview Inn
Galexie Glister
Jackson I Medical Office Building
Kat’s Wine & Spirits
Keifer’s Restaurant
M&J Creekmore Foundation
Morgan & Morgan
The Overby Company
The Pyron Group Inc.
StateStreet Group, LLC
Southern Beverage Company

Being Belhaven Gold Donors

Jane and Brent Alexander
Louisa Dixon
Barbara F. Hederman
Ann Kendrick and Jim Kopernak
Kim and Mickey Paduda
Susan McAllister
Mary K. and Arnold Smith
Marjorie and Billy Underwood
Stacy and Jay Underwood
Susan Warren
Ginger and John Weaver
Sara Weisenberger

Belhaven Donors

Sara Jane and Alex Alston
Laura and Jason Ashley
Lacey L. Bailey
Emmie King and Spencer Beard
Jennifer and Walter Boone
Beverly Ray and Reed Branson
Kim and David Brown
Maggie and Adam Brown
Suzie and John Broderick
Janine and Jason Buckley
Rose and Peter Casano – In Memory of Collie Roger
James Crellin
Kate Edit
Virginia and Fred Ezelle
Beth and Collier Graham
Laine and Bob Hardin
Rebecca and Ty Hardy
Dorothy and John Hawkins
Mara Hartmann and Patrick Hicks
Susan Shands Jones
Victoria and Robert List
Toni and Aubrey Lucas
Barbara and Jim McCraw – In Memory of Al Simon
Margaret and Manning McPhillips
Kay and Charles Mortimer
Walterine and Doug Odom
Kathy and Michael Potts
Sara and Brad Tisdale
Marc Treadway
Kimberly and Robert Van Uden
Denise and Edward Walsh
Denise and John Wheeler
Jan and John Wofford
Julia Marks Young

Other Contributions

Ruth and Carl Black
David Blount
Ashley Cole
Jane and James Elkin
Tara Ellis
Nykihah Gee
Judith J. Johnson
Sandra and Gary Parker
Joanne Morris

A Look Ahead

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Belhaven and Belhaven Heights. Our special neighborhoods where more than 5,757 of us live. It’s where we raise our children and many of us grow old. It’s tree-lined streets that we love and potholes that make driving a challenge. But it’s home. And most of us wouldn’t trade living here for any other place in the metropolitan area.

SUPPORT THE GBF

Your Greater Belhaven Foundation works daily to help our neighborhood meet the challenges that any older, city suburb faces. For example, we are working with the Greater Belhaven Security Association and our two neighborhood organizations, the Belhaven Heights Community Association and the Belhaven Improvement Association, and the institutions in our area to develop a comprehensive security plan for Greater Belhaven.

Additionally, the Foundation announced plans in early November to build a permanent stage in Belhaven Park to add to the appeal of that venue. Neglected for nearly 30 years, it was “renovated” through a cooperative effort of Belhaven residents, the City of Jackson and the Foundation 10 years ago. Now the park has become a setting for artistic performances for the neighborhood, early evening picnics and movies, and daytime lunch breaks for those who work in Greater Belhaven.

In 2019, the Foundation in partnership with the BIA will focus on beautifying the Fortification Exit at I55 and further developing that historic street as a premier entrance to our neighborhood and the City of Jackson.

Won’t you be a part of these initiatives to enhance our neighborhood by making a year-end gift to the Foundation?

Your donation would go to help support these initiatives. Please click here to make your end of the year gift.

SUPPORT THE GBF