Pass Aldermen Vote to Stop Walkway Project After First Phase

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — Following the recognition of three officers from the Pass Christian Police Department for saving a domestic violence situation, the city Board of Aldermen unanimously voted (5-0) to halt the four phase pedestrian walkway at the regular meeting Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Phase I of the Project was approved to allow the completion.

Before the vote was cast, quite a few public comments were granted with most in opposition to the project, which several aldermen spoke after this with disagreements to the $2.5 million project, which began April 5, 2024.

“The current seawall design is not what is best for Pass Christian and tonight was evident from all of the public comments,” said Ward 1 resident Barry Dreyfus, who has been one of the leaders in opposition. “I commend city alderpersons Regina (Char- lot), Kenny (Torgeson), Kirk (Kimball), and Victor (Pickich) for working on behalf of the residents of Pass Christian.”

After the agenda was approved, Pass Christian Mayor Jimmy Rafferty offered a public hearing for the week of September 23 to discuss the beginning of Phase II of the Pedestrian Walkway Project, but the Board of Aldermen rejected the offer by the Mayor.

Rafferty sent out an email Tuesday afternoon before the meeting, stating “The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has listened to the concerns expressed by a few of you and is willing to consider changes to their original plans. A concern was access to the beach. Having steps at each street and each parking bay addresses this issue. An advisory group of citizens as determined by our Board of Alderpersons could also determine if more steps are necessary. They could meet to address this issue and others before a Public Hearing in late September. In addition, the next item of concern relates to the view. DMR believes the 15 inches is best for sand erosion, however, they could lower this to 12 inches if necessary. Lowering the wall could increase the ability for sand to be blown over the wall.”

Alderman-at-Large Kenny Torgeson expressed opposition to this project focusing on a nostalgic point of view.

“I can’t imagine not having those steps, my grandfather used to tell me about those steps and when they were setup,” said the Alderman-at-Large who has disclosed that he will run for mayor of the city in 2025. “The concept that I had when this project started, was there may be a wall on top of the steps and it may have breaks in the steps so you could walk around and the concrete would have been leveled out. I have been riding my bicycle up and down Highway 90 for 45 years.”

Pass Christian will still need state approval for the changes to the project. This is a Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) project and was funded as part of the Highway 90 Hurricane Mitigation Improvements.

If GOMESA grants the city’s request, construction on phase one of the project will continue, with that continuation now only be- ing the boardwalk and not the sea wall.