Hearing set on Research Park path
November 30, 2010
By KELLY DANIELS
citybeat@bellsouth.net
Researchers are inviting local residents to provide input on whether the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park needs a pedestrian path.
The come-and-go meeting will take place in the park’s Multi-Tenant Building in the upper-level conference room.
Since the mile loop was built, people have driven there to exercise, said Dr. Ron Cossman, who wrote question-and-answer survey to gauge support of the idea from residents and tenants and employees of the park.
One of them asked how likely would they walk to a coffee and sandwich shop it if were built in the research park.
“That’s a big consideration,” Cossman said. “We just want to collect some information on whether or not they are ready for something like this. Then, the question will be, can we afford it.”
Restriping of the four-lane road to give pedestrians and cyclists a lane would cost between $15,000 to $25,000.
The City of Starkville owns the road and, as of now, would have to pay for the project, while the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority operates the rest of the park in a partnership with the City of Starkville, Oktibbeha County and Mississippi State University.
