Teams Outline Ideas For Rebuilding Coast

More than 200 architects, planners, and city officials met on Monday during the final day of the meeting of the Mississippi Renewal Forum. Plans for rebuilding the Mississippi coast were unveiled.

Three proposals that were made were:

• Mass transit system to connect coastal cities

• Relocation of CSX rail line to north of I-10

• Creation of railroad boulevard for trains and traffic that would stop in town centers on the Coast

The forum looked at how to build as well as what building codes to adopt in order that the building can withstand disasters such as Katrina. The forum is part of Gov. Haley Barbour's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal. Harriett Tregoing, executive director of Smart Growth America, says that having a plan is key to having the Gulf Coast rebuilt strongly and quickly.

Public and private investment will be needed for the plan to work. Also, all citizens are encouraged to take part in the meetings that will be held. They are also trying to make sure local developers will also be involved in the rebuilding.

|Technorati|Mississippi, Gulf Coast