PORT
GIBSON, MISSISSIPPI 39150
"Too Beautiful to
Burn" General
U.S.Grant-May 1863
PLEASE SIGN
"Opportunity is often obscured by hard work".
Henry Ford
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Downtown Business owners are up beat and pleased with the results of Discover Historic Port Gibson. Local business owners and home were pleased with the results of their efforts. Not only did they attract visitors from out side of Claiborne County but many local residents show up to see what was going on. Inez Chatman owner of Chatman's Florist & Gifts reported that about 20 area people visited her store for the first time. Plans are already in the works for Discover Historic Port Gibson in the Fall set for October 13, 2007..
Meyers Marx Building VS Bernheimer Building
Two buildings in downtown Port Gibson while the Myers Marx building is open and bringing tax dollars into the area the Bernheimer building is getting restoration work. That’s right the Bernheimer building has never been open for business but it is under going restoration work to the restoration work. What is the difference in these two projects? Meyers Marx Architects: Waycaster & Associates Architects from Natchez, MS Contractor: George Harris Building & Roofing Co. from Hazlehurst, MS Project Manger: Al Hollingsworth from Port Gibson Bernheimer Architects: Waycaster & Associates Architects from Natchez, MS Contractor: George Harris Building & Roofing Co. from Hazlehurst, MS Project Manger: James Johnston from Natchez The only difference is the project manger. I saw Mr. Hollingsworth at the Myers Marx project both early and late and on weekends checking the job. Much of the work on the Bernheimer building was done at night and on weekends and I never saw Mr. Johnston on site at theses time. To this reporter the restoration work on the restoration work was expected. I hate to be an I told you so but in October 2004, I e-mailed Mr. Johnston of potential problems I saw that could cause problems with the Bernheimer building.
Main Street Manager Kenneth Ross told us the Bernheimer
Building was opening mid December 2004, then spring 2005 and we were told in
March of 2006 that were about a dozen spaces rented to venders but now mid
December 2006 and no signs of
opening two years after Mr. Ross said it would open. It's time the building was
turned over to a private entity with management skills. I believe the Bernheimer Building will be going through more restoration of the restoration work. A trench was dug along the full length and down to the soft brick footing of the oldest part of the building for the purpose water proofing it. The trench was backfilled by filling the trench with concrete, now this huge concrete block has settled up to six inches in the middle and caused a sink hole in the Bernheimer House’s yard. New cracks are showing up in the wall of the Bernheimer Building. Has this concrete block crushed the footing and is there danger of the east wall collapsing? Loren Ouart Welcome Changes Coming soon to Port Gibson As new people are starting to move in to Port Gibson I am seeing roll up your sleeve entrepreneur type that are investing their own time and money in Port Gibson. Like me they can see the future for downtown Port Gibson is in tourism and that Port Gibson is setting on a gold mine of tourism and with hard work and joint effort toward their goals they can make changes. The Bernheimer House has set an example of what hard work can accomplish with ninety five percent of its business tourism. In less than five years it has taken a private home to a business paying thousands of dollars in sales tax revenue each year. Besides the Bernheimer House Tuscan Columns open with two B&B Rooms, Collina B&B will open June 1, 2007. This will allow Port Gibson to attract larger bicycle groups using the Natchez Trace where now large groups load the cyclists and transport them to Vicksburg or Natchez for the night and bring them back in the morning to continue their journey they can spend the night.. It will also help draw more family and class reunions. The Sam Oudy building on the Northeast corner of Farmer & Carroll Streets has been sold and the new owner is wasting no time with investing time and money in the building. Watch for new and exciding events coming to Port Gibson as entrepreneur's join together with a JUST GETTER DONE attitude. Loren Ouart
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