Tuesday the Starkville Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a music festival presented by the Campus Activities Board in the Cotton District during Super Bulldog Weekend.
Student Director of CAB Mary Clare Ehrhardt addressed the location, clean up, and activities to seek approval for the festival scheduled on Thursday, April 15.
The festival will take place on University Drive from Maxwell Street to Nash Street to reduce the crowding from last year’s location on Maxwell Street in front of The Grill.
“We just wanted a wider street with a bigger stage,” Ehrhardt said. “It was very crowed last year. Since these events have picked up, we needed a bigger area for people to enjoy.”
Mayor Mack Rutledge questioned whether there would be any change from last year’s similar event.
“Venders will come this year and set up,” Ehrhardt said. “We’re bringing a bigger known act like someone on the radio.”
The concert will also start at 8 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., and they are only hiring two bands instead of three, Ehrhardt said.
The activities board plans to start barricading around noon. and putting more up around 5:30 p.m.
Ehrhardt also said that CAB would be responsible for the clean up and that they had already spoken with the fire and police departments about security and safety.
Focusing on the growth of Starkville, the aldermen discussed the 2 percent food and beverage tax. Although no final decisions were made about the tax, the aldermen discussed the possible revenue benefits for Starkville, considering growth projections.
Rutledge said that while growth estimates were uncertain, with the projected 5 percent growth increase for Starkville, the city could see as up to $1 million in revenue from the tax in 2005.
Ward 4 Alderman Lee Beck said he wondered if there had been a study done on the growth of Starkville to indicate more than a 5 percent increase.
Rutledge said the possible arrival of new restaurant chains could drastically change the growth, but the 5 percent projection was a good figure to currently consider while they continue researching and writing the resolution before they carry it to Jackson to discuss with local legislators.
“It would be very hard to project,” Rutledge said. “There’s no way to know when they [businesses] would come here.”
Ward 3 Alderman P.C. McLaurin Jr. said the board needs to move in a timely fashion in finalizing this resolution.
The aldermen also unanimously approved the painting of “Go Dawgs” on the water tower on Scales Street, which will cost $500.
Citing the recent success of the 11th-ranked men’s basketball team, Rutledge said, “I think it would be a good thing for the city to support MSU.”
The alderman also approved the rezoning of 80 acres of land from residential and manufacturing to commercial near the Bryan Field Airport because the airport made it improbable for housing development.
The next Board of Alderman meeting will be held on Feb. 3 at 5:30 p.m.