I’ve been writing about the Willie Morris Parkway for so long that it almost doesn’t seem real that half of it was opened this week.
Much of the writing about the parkway that I’ve done on this opinion page has been reassuring Yazooans that it was still going to happen even though we experienced more setbacks getting there than Clark W. Griswald on a family vacation.
There have been several announcements on social media by well-meaning but misinformed people that the parkway construction was canceled and that Walmart had decided not to come to Yazoo. I have even had a couple of people ask me why we continued to write as if these things were still going to happen when “everybody knows” it’s never going to happen.
I wondered if they pic
tured us like Baghdad Bob, the guy who kept assuring Iraqis over the radio that Saddam Hussein’s army was in frim control even as American forces closed in on his location.
I can’t blame anyone for being skeptical. It took forever to even award the contract, and then construction has lasted beyond the deadline. Walmart was secretive about their plans until it was about to become obvious that they were building in Yazoo.
This is one of those times where it’s definitely better late than never.
The Willie Morris Parkway may represent the biggest opportunity for growth in Yazoo City of my lifetime.Yazoo City will soon have a heavily traveled parkway full of attractive lots for businesses. There will already be a Hampton Inn and a Walmart to demonstrate that established business leaders have confidence in the location.
It couldn’t come at a better time for Yazoo. Downtown has made tremendous progress in recent years, and the stage is set for continued improvement. Jerry Clower Boulevard doesn’t have a lot of real estate remaining that can be developed, and there are some plans for some of those spots that may become a reality.
New business will mean new tax revenue that will hopefully translate into better streets, better police protection, better parks, etc. So much of that tax revenue is currently leaving our community and benefitting others.
Personally I don’t get that excited about Walmart. I don’t really enjoy shopping, and the bigger the place is the less likely I am to enjoy it.
But there are times when I have no choice but to go to a larger retailer to find something I need. When I do, I’m always amazed at how many Yazoo County tags I see in the parking lot at an out of town Walmart. Most of these folks will likely be shopping at home when the new store opens. There’s a good chance they’ll visit other local businesses while they’re at it.
There will soon be a formal opening of the parkway after the contractor finishes up some of the last few details. That’s one event I wouldn’t miss for anything. It’s an opportunity to be a part of some positive Yazoo history.
