Mayor highlights tournament growth, new bike track construction and Rasco wall replacement

In his report to the board the mayor gave updates on parks, tourism and public-works projects funded in part by tourism funds.

The mayor said investment in Snowden Grove soccer facilities has paid dividends: the upcoming tournament (the Silo Shootout) will host 80 teams, the largest field to date. He reported the city used tourism funds to invest more than $6 million in the Snowden Grove soccer complex and that those investments boost local quality of life and tourism.

Construction began on a combined bike track and skate-park at Cherry Valley. The mayor said city crews have completed preparatory work including fencing and safety bollards to reduce vandalism and unauthorized ATV use; contractors claim an October completion date.

The mayor also described replacement of a formerly unsafe brick wall at Rasco and Highway 51. He said the wall was removed because it lacked proper brick ties and posed a safety hazard; the replacement will use materials that match the city entrance monuments, including a limestone insert that will bear the inscription "Southaven Top Of Mississippi." The mayor said the insert manufacturing is the current hold-up and that work should be visible before the board’s next meeting.

The mayor asked aldermen to communicate progress to constituents and thanked parks staff and master gardeners for their work on the hummingbird garden.