23  |  P a g e    

carolers and more. (See exhibits 34-36) Each year as dusk falls and the candles are lit, hundreds of local and out-of-town visitors flow into the neighborhood, strolling or driving along the streets lined with the glowing candles. Neighborhood residents and visitors walk from house to house, stopping to chat and admire decorations. Many house parties are held to celebrate the season in the glow of thousands of candles. HHN now works in conjunction with VisitHattiesburg, the City’s tourism bureau, and the Hattiesburg Historic Downtown Association to promote the event as a signature part of “Christmas in the HubCity.” (See Exhibit 37-38)

(Image 26 ) Beautiful homes are decorated for the season and accentuated with the luminaries creating a breathtaking effect for neighbors and visitors alike. Photo provided by VisitHattiesburg.

(Image 27) Thousands of visitors are drawn to the neighborhood every year for Candlelighting. The Southeast Tourism Society has listed this as one of the “Top Twenty Events in the Southeast” for many years. Photo provided by Visit Hattiesburg.

 

  42    

Exhibit 34

 

  43    

Exhibit 35

 

  44  

                       

Exhibit 35b

 

  45  

         

                       

Exhibit 36

 

  46    

Exhibit 37

24  |  P a g e    

(Image 28) Roaming Caroling groups are a favorite among neighbors and visitors alike, as they wander the neighborhood entertaining those who stop to enjoy the music. Photo by Andrea Saffle.

(Image 29) Nothing is so magic as to take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, horses clopping feet accented by jingling bells! Photo provided by Andrea Saffle

25  |  P a g e    

Thousands of words have been written about this well-publicized event that has received regional recognition and attention. Much copied but never recreated as a whole, this event is probably responsible as much as any one thing in building and cementing progress in HHN. Many times residents have dressed up in Victorian era costumes and have created elaborate Victorian era displays for the open houses. And nothing is so magic as to take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, horses clopping feet accented by jingling bells!

(Image 30) The entire neighborhood gets involved with Candlelighting, making sure that porches are decorated, bags are our and candles are lit. Photo provided by Matt Martin When the weather cooperates, Candlelighting not only brings hundreds of visitors and potential homebuyers to the district but raises funds as well. The success of the event is weather dependent but it has NEVER been entirely cancelled. Poor weather cuts down on the turn out, of course, and securing the extremely well-run, insured carriage rides costs HHN thousands of dollars each year. In good weather, the cost is recouped, but this event will be held no matter what because it is such a powerful place builder for residents and image enhancer for visitors. It is a physically stunning event, often copied, but never equaled. VisitHattiesburg the tourism

“Candlelighting is an event like no other I’ve ever experienced,” said Linda A. McMurtery, 31-year resident of the district. “I’ve been on the shovel-and-sand end of this event and know how much group effort it takes to put it on each year. We’ve come together to set out and light these candles in balmy weather and in near zero temperatures with wind, ice and sleet. Despite that, despite knowing the work it takes, despite having seen it more than 30 times – when those candles are lit and the soft light flows over the area, it is just magic – pure magic.”

26  |  P a g e    

(Image 31) “The Christmas House” as it has become known is a favorite for visitors and neighbors alike. Photo provided by Matt Martin

13th Annual Downtown Crawfish Jam – April 2012 (Image32 ) Medical Mudbugs is the neighborhood Spring Crawfish held on the grounds at Walthall School condos in the center of the neighborhood, Photo provided by Andrea Saffle

27  |  P a g e    

(Image 33) The spring crawfish boil has grown over the years from around 100 people to what it has become today. Photo provided by Andrea Saffle.

(Image 32 above) The Downtown Crawfish Jam drew over 1000 people from all over the city to launch the first ever neighborhood Music Festival. Photo by Andrea Saffle

28  |  P a g e    

When HHN gave up hosting its annual Oktoberfest, started by hobby brewers in the neighborhood, a better timed event was needed (too many fall/winter events). Dave and Amy Ware plus others who hosted a Medical Mudbugs Crawfish Boil, turned the event over to Walthall Foundation as a fundraiser for the organizations and for the condo and grounds maintenance. The spring date works better for HHN members. Now billed as a music festival, the Downtown Crawfish Jam is a major fundraising to assist maintenance of the Walthall condo and grounds. “The Downtown Crawfish Jam grew out of Medical Mudbugs, neighborhood fundraiser for the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood Association (HHN) with a 12-year history of bringing great food and great music to Historic Hattiesburg,” said Andrea Saffle, HHNA President. She said the revised 2011 event drew visitors from across the city and raised nearly $10,000 for Walthall Foundation. This event will only grow as a major local music festival.

6. How does the suggested Great Place exemplify planning best practices? (Suggested word

length for Section 6.0 responses: 500-1 000 words total.) 6.1. Provide a description of any planning tools used (i.e., historic preservation ordinances;

specific-area plans; relevant sections of comprehensive plans; public investments or bond approvals; business improvement districts; tax increment financing; zoning districts or overlays; design guidelines; special use guidance or ordinances; revitalization efforts; etc.) and a short discussion about the results these requirements have had in helping shape how the area has developed, changed, or evolved. Include specific dates and examples if possible.

• 1985 – HHN leaders presented a document to Mayor Bobby Chain and the two Commissioners, outlining why local historic designation and protection was essential to the goals and objectives of HHN. The document also outlined issues and concerns in HHN that needed assistance from the City. It stated the value of historic preservation and viable historic neighborhoods to the health of the City. (See attached Exhibit 10) Credibility of HHN’s position was verified in statewide property tax reappraisals in 1980s,1990s, 2000 and 2010.

• 1986 – HHN volunteers worked with City Planner David White to complete survey forms and photographs required for creation of HHN District, locally designated. Early structure footprints were copied from Sandborne Insurance Co. maps to put on forms. HHN residents knowledgeable about historic features most significant on individual properties; knowledge of what to focus on in enforcement of locally designated historic district; cooperative effort with city official. (Go to www.hattiesburghistoricneighborhood.com/Historic_Documents.php)

• Overlay district boundaries for HHN Conservation District extend beyond the original HHN boundaries, providing a buffer that makes it possible to focus on most historically significant areas as opposed to less significant ones. Has worked well and creates a more tolerable situation to owners in buffer zones. Historic Commission has basis to work with these owners for compatible (if not the strictest) enforcement.

• 1988 – 89 – specific input to the City Planning Dept. during the process to make sure goals and objectives of HHN were known and put into practice; specifically, HHN goal was to see removed from the zoning map the inappropriate multi-family zoning of the largest, most significant houses and to prevent the intrusion of misplaced commercial/businesses uses. The adoption of the new code was absolutely critical to the development and progress of HHN. Previously HHN was required to have representatives at every Planning Commission meeting in

29  |  P a g e    

order to oppose inappropriate zoning changes that came up frequently. The 1989 code has meant the relief of those time-consuming and difficult challenges.

• 1976 and mid 1980s - Development and amendment of bylaws with maps and boundaries, membership requirements and objectives and goals; incorporation Provides basis for specific actions, including legal measures; has made clear from the earliest years what are the purposes and intent of HHN. Provides avenues of partnership with City, County and State; made possible creation of Walthall Foundation Inc., and purchase of abandoned HPSD elementary school in middle of neighborhood – an absolutely critical step to protect the neighborhood.

• 1997 - Presentation to Mayor and City Council in partnership with North Main Street Neighborhood Historic District; further documentation of goals and objectives for historic district as well as issues and concerns, primarily with need to address housing code violations. Unless these issues and concerns are made known, the City does not have the information it needs in order to act; these continuing presentations as well as day to day reporting keeps these neighborhoods in the forefront.

1998 – 2000 - Participation in citywide neighborhoods planning initiative Cemented feeling of collaboration and partnership with City and all city neighborhoods. Provided additional opportunities for grant funds for improvement projects; clarified HHN’s plan, goals and objectives – a fine-tuning process, as it were.

• Participation and input into the development of the Hattiesburg Comprehensive Plan 2020. (See online at www.hattiesburgms.com/ under urban development) Plan centers on importance of strong, organized neighborhoods to health and future of the City; continues focus for current planning and Planning Commission decisions that protect existing neighborhoods; identifies corridors and areas that need to organize and work toward improvement.

• Past 30 years – Use of public funds investment through state pass through grants for Walthall redevelopment, city restoration of historic Bay Street median, tree replacement, maintenance of streets and sidewalks, infrastructure improvements, development of neighborhood and adjacent parks and hike and bike trails. Invaluable opportunities to HHN and action toward its goals and objectives; could not have made this progress without this assistance. Partnerships with Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi Urban and Forestry Commission, City of Hattiesburg; particularly instrumental in the protection, expansion and new development of tree program and green space development, as well as flood control and run off protection. City maintenance of Gordon’s Creek has helped make this natural element an asset not a detriment.

6.2. Describe what efforts are underway to make the street, neighborhood, or public space

more environmentally sustainable, including having a smaller carbon footprint. Please include specific examples of practices or steps being proposed and taken.

• Extension of Long Leaf Trace – 43 miles of hike and bike trail -- that will go from Prentiss, MS,

to Hattiesburg Train Depot, adjacent to HHN - 1 ½ block from boundary; trail will extend from Southern Miss campus along West 4th Street to Historic Downtown, east to historic Mobile Street District, then south to the Depot; funded with federal pass through money through MDOT. Neighborhood residents will be able to ride or walk from any point in HHN to the Depot and go on the Trail to Downtown, the university campus or on west to the end of the trail. Visitors can come on the train or bus with their bikes and ride through the neighborhood and onto the trail.

30  |  P a g e    

Partnership with City effort to establish Complete Streets throughout city; HHN has wide, well-kept principal streets that lend themselves to this plan; Bay Street is a prime example.

HHN is entirely walkable within itself and to Historic Downtown District and two adjacent historic residential districts As downtown continues to redevelop with more businesses including restaurants, music venues, galleries, gift shops, antique shops, professional services, pharmacy, and so on, this puts more and more amenities and goods and services within walking distance of all HHN residents.

• HHN is supporting development of Gordon’s Creek Linear Park that will connect most inner city neighborhoods as well as the large city Kamper Park and Zoo and to Longleaf Trace in the interior of this core area of the city. Gordon's Creek Linear Park is now being designed and will eventually extend to the Leaf River on the eastern border of the city; Chain Park already exists on the northeast corner of the city on the banks of the Leaf.

6.3. What 'Smart Growth' principles and practices are used, whether to increase density;

reduce use of private cars and expand use of transit or non-motorized travel options; reuse existing buildings; encourage mixed-use development; or other measures? Include a short description including specific examples.

All of the points made in 6.3 apply to use of Smart Growth principles and practices, but the main point is that the existence of HHN as a viable, continually improving residential district is the re-use of everything -- every structure and all infrastructure. The main point over the 30-year history of HHN as an organized neighborhood is that the continued use and public investment in existing infrastructure and the growing private investment into an expanded ad valorem tax base for the city and county is the only smart way to grow and develop. The continued progress of HHN is a showcase for re-use instead of green field, box center development. The earliest history of the neighborhood illustrates the preponderance of preservation and re-use. “For example,” said Linda A. McMurtrey, “my own house was built shortly after the arrival of the first settlers. It was the first home of the Connor family (W.E. Connor was fourth mayor of the city). This house is an ornate Victorian cottage that was put on logs and pulled by mules from its first location facing Bay (now Short Bay) Street. It was relocated to face Williams Street on a lot at the back of the Conner property next to the carriage house (now a home). The Connors subsequently built a grand house Neo-Classical house that stands today. Many other small, modest first houses were relocated within the neighborhood in the same manner.”

The wisdom of this type of development is always emphasized in periods of high gas prices - residents here don't commute. By and large they live and play in the same area within walking or bike riding distance of many, many amenities. Many work inside the core area of the city. Most of the children walk to the only school available within this area.

The re-use of public and private resources is the basis and reason for the existence of HHN, and it is of particular note that the re-use and preservation of the district's houses is preserving the very first resources of this region: the virgin piney woods forests that brought the first development here. Unless HHN succeeds in its goals, the original resources that showcase what can be done with wood would be lost forever. Many houses that were built for original timber developing families have already been lost in an adjacent district because the later residents didn't take early opportunities to organize and fight.

31  |  P a g e    

Since its organization the HHN district has had the overwhelming majority of the houses either consistently maintained or substantially renovated and improved. As early as 1995, about 275 of the 450 structures had been renovated; this number does not include those being steadily maintained.

Again, the steady increase in ad valorem base to the city and county, plus the savings brought by continued use of the infrastructure demonstrates the success of HHN.

By continuing and expanding the walkability of HHN, available resources and uses are continuously expanding for residents. Newcomers move to HHN because it IS walkable to its own commercial uses as well as to commercial and entertainment venues downtown.

As it was originally built, HHN has high density: 450 structures on 115-acres of 23 block area. On the southern boundary of the district are multi-family apartments.

6.4. Is there affordable housing located within the borders of the suggested neighborhood or

adjoining the suggested street? If yes, please describe type and amount of affordable housing, and the plans, programs, regulations, ordinances, or other initiatives undertaken to bring about the affordable housing.

While there is not any housing federally designated as "affordable" in HHN, the very range of sizes, styles and prices of the existing historic housing makes it affordable to a wide socio-economic base. In particular, the apartment units referred to above on the HHN southern boundary are low cost. House prices range from $350,000 and up for the largest, grandest homes with the big lots to the $100,000 prices of the more modest in size and style cottages.

While costs have increased in recent years and since Hurricane Katrina, it is still true that "more for the money" is still the appeal: more available amenities, more space, more physically appealing, more style, more basic value of materials (irreplaceable wood and craftsmanship). Having the protection of the local historic district also has strengthened HHN's group bargaining power to gain equal status with other neighborhoods with the local banks.

6.5. What planning principles are embodied by the designated street, neighborhood or public

space, and how do these principles contribute to the area's outstanding qualities and characteristics? The necessity of making a plan with goals, objectives and action steps based on

collaboration of all residents Creation of processes to carry out plan and enlist help from residents Identify resources and/or partners required to carry out plans and meet goals and

objectives

6.6. Brief summary of the major or most significant planning lessons learned or involved with the neighborhood, street, or public space

Benefits of organizing to create first a plan, then goals and objectives plus action steps;

HHN is a model of this lesson

32  |  P a g e    

Value of input from and collaboration with as many residents as possible; establishment of processes to 1) communicate with all residents and 2) to gain input, to provide multiple and varied opportunities for residents to provide information and input

Necessity to find means to convey input and communicate needs, goals and objectives to various entities and organizations such as city, state and county and to collaborate to achieve goals and acquire funding.

7. Additional information (useful, but not required). To assist APA staff and contributing authors

and editors in developing a technical oriented report about places selected for designation, answers to the following to, and sources of information for the following questions: 7.1. For neighborhoods, population density and demographic breakdowns (using U.S. Bureau

data)

Population is about 980 persons Density is approximately 4 units per acre (450 structures/ 115 acres

7.2. For neighborhoods and streets, average home prices and rents.

Rental: $400- $900 based on size of property Sales: $90,000 - $350,000 for renovated, updated houses; price based on house and lot size $60,000 - $70,000 for properties that have not been updated Average sales price per square foot: $70-$75

7.3. For neighborhoods and streets, a list of the various uses occurring within the designated area and approximate percentages of each use.

Residential - 90 percent Churches, schools and daycare - about 5 percent Professional - about 1 percent Commercial - 4 percent

7.4. Estimated number of annual visitors of a public space or estimated annual traffic counts

for streets.

Special events draw 3,000 - 5,000 visitors each year, depending on weather Based on the 2009 Average Daily Traffic Counts, HHN major corridors and collector streets

are as follows: Bay Street - 6,500; Southern Avenue - 5,500; Williams Street – 3,500; West Laurel Avenue – 1,700; Walnut Street – 1,200; and Buschman Street – 1,100.

7.5. Types of transit modes and connections, and accommodations for pedestrians, bicyclists, other non-motorized users (especially for streets and neighborhoods).

Sidewalks throughout HHN Curbed and guttered streets suitable for bikes Connections -- under construction - to Longleaf Trace hike and bike trail

33  |  P a g e    

Adjacent to Hattiesburg Historic Depot, station for local buses and well as Amtrak line between New Orleans and New York City.

7.6. List of functions occurring at the public space, along the street or in the neighborhood each year (i.e. markets, rallies, parades, festivals, protected habitat, community events, etc.)

Walks, runs and organized bike rides sponsored by various entities through HHN Downtown Farmers Market, April - October, at Town Square Park adjacent to HHN City Christmas Tree Lighting, Town Square Park Annual Earth Day observance, Town Square Park Tea Party Political Rallys, Town Square Park Night Out Against Crime, first Tuesday in August, Walthall grounds Victorian Candlelit Christmas, second weekend every December, Walthall Downtown Crawfish Jam, music festival and crawfish boil, Landmark protected Walthall

grounds Live @ Five at Town Square Park, weekly April and October each year, live music

(Image 35 left) Live @ 5 is an event held at Town Square Park on Friday nights in April and October featuring local and regional bands and downtown. Photo provided by Andrea Saffle

35  |  P a g e    

(Image 38) HHN draws kids from all over the city to trick or treat here. The newer neighborhoods in the suburbs don’t have the sidewalk nor the level of participation that HHN enjoys. Photo provided by Andrea Saffle

Halloween Fall Festival at Sacred Heart School Rock N Roux at Sacred Heart School, April

(Image 39) Sacred Heart School hosts Rock N Roux for several years in the neighborhood, attracting school members and as well as neighbors. Photos by Andrea Saffle

36  |  P a g e    

(Image 40) Kids in da Hood float in the Irish-Italian Parade features neighborhood kids and friends of the neighborhood. This years float was decorated with pictures of neighborhood houses. Photo by Andrea Saffle

“Kids in da Hood” is the neighborhood parade krewe, created initially to participate in the city-wide Irish-Italian Festival Parade, but also participates the city Christmas parade and the Night Out Against Crime parade.

Seafood Jamboree at Sacred Heart School, September Major public art exhibits at Hattiesburg Historic Depot, adjacent to HHN; example

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit New Harmonies, sculpture contest, Homestead Heritage multiple day market and exhibit of crafts

7.7. Please provide a list of supplemental sources of additional information about the

previous questions, such as archival sources, historians, community organizations or persons who have been instrumental in planning and shaping the designated area.

Refer to list of significant people above section 3.1 Harry Ward, HHN archivist, 416 Walnut Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 hcw43@comcast.net Pattie Brantley, ACIP, Director of Urban Development, City of Hattiesburg

pbrantly@hattiesburgms.com

37  |  P a g e    

Justin Heskew, historic planner, Planning Department, City of Hattiesburg jheskew@hattiesburgms.com

Linda McMurturey, long time resident, former lindamc@megagate.com Andrea Saffle, Current HHNA President, 409 Walnut Street, a.saffle@megagate.com Dave Ware, Ward 4 Councilmen, Rebecca Ave., davejware@bellsouth.net www.hattiesburghistoricneighborhood.com

7.8. Please provide links to maps, graphs, charts or other visual materials specific to the designated

place and the salient characteristics, qualities, features and traits that contribute to its unique sense of place and selection as one of the Great Places in America.

• Find Attached packet of exhibits 1 – 38 • Disc with high resolution images of all pictures included in this submission • Find attached authorization forms for all images included •

All images sent should be high resolution, i.e. as 300 dpi or 600K-B-1.2MB files. Maps of areas should be sent at TIFF files, also at a resolution of 300 dpi. In addition, we need to have a signed permission-to use form for each individual image provided with the suggested place. See separate attachment for this form (make additional copies as needed).