Mississippi Main Street Association Launches “Keeping Character Blueprint” Initiative for Pass Christian Main Street to Guide Community Growth
The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) will conduct a two-day community planning workshop on November 4-5, 2025 for Pass Christian Main Street and the City of Pass Christian to launch the “Keeping Character Blueprint”—a strategic initiative designed to help the city manage growth while preserving its historic charm and small-town character.
MMSA announced Pass Christian as a Designated Main Street community earlier this year, and a community planning workshop is a service provided by MMSA in the first year of designated membership.
“As Pass Christian experiences a period of rapid growth, community leaders are seeking thoughtful, steady development that protects the qualities residents value most,” said Jeannie Waller Zieren, MMSA Executive Director. “The Keeping Character Blueprint will serve as a guiding framework to ensure new initiatives, investments, and partnerships align with the history and character of the community.”
“Pass Christian is at an important crossroads,” said Sheryl Baltar, director of Pass Christian Main Street. “This Blueprint is about shaping our future without losing the sense of place that makes our community special.”
The two-day program will address several key issues identified by the city and Main Street leaders, including:
Pavilion & Farmers’ Market Redesign: Reimagining the underused pavilion and surrounding park space to better serve residents and local vendors.
Architectural & Development Guidelines: Establishing design principles that reflect Pass Christian’s coastal character and ensure responsible, compatible growth.
Market Analysis & Economic Development: Providing data-driven insights into retail opportunities, housing needs, and strategies for sustainable economic vitality.
Branding & Public Perception: Strengthening the Pass Christian Main Street brand and communicating its value to the community through visible, measurable impact.
Downtown Landscaping: Developing a conceptual plan to enhance downtown’s visual appeal, including restoration of the 2nd Street gateway corridor.
Public Art & Cultural Identity: Creating a Public Art Placement Plan to celebrate local creativity and foster a vibrant downtown arts presence.
The community planning team is comprised of experts in planning, design, market analysis, and branding and includes Randy Wilson of Community Design Solutions, Andy Kalback of Kalback Design Studio, and Tripp Muldrow and Ben Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow & Associates, each contributing specialized expertise to ensure the plan reflects both community aspirations and practical strategies for implementation.
The final presentation will be held on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Pass Christian Main Street office (209 E. 2nd Street).
“This process isn’t just about growth—it’s about identity,” said Wendy Diaz del Valle, board president of Pass Christian Main Street. “By keeping character at the heart of every decision, we’re ensuring that Pass Christian continues to thrive without losing the charm that defines it.”
