City OKS Streatery concept
The city of Starkville will continue with its Streatery concept following its approval by the Starkville Board of Aldermen Tuesday night.
The board approved the concept by a 5-2 vote, with Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver and Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Alderman Roy A’ Perkins voting against. The Streatery will be a public outdoor dining area downtown running from Restaurant Tyler to Moe’s Original BBQ.
The concept will be further developed by the city and the Mississippi State University Carl Small Town Center before the temporary structure is put in place.
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill emphasized that the Streatery would not cost the city any money, using materials already owned by the city or provided by downtown restaurants and other businesses.
“No city funds whatsoever will be expended on it other than planters that we already own, benches which are already downtown, using products that we already have access to and other businesses downtown who would like to pitch in,” Spruill said.
She said tables and chairs would be donated and the Starkville Main Street Association would handle plants for the planters.
The concept will take up nine parking spaces, and will consist of a short fence made with cinderblocks, wood or metal spaced out with planters. Tables and chairs would be set up inside the parameter and solar powered lights may be added to the structure.
Ward 3 Alderman David Little, who serves as the aldermen’s liaison to the Starkville Main Street Board, spoke in support of the Streatery. He said the concept would help keep some life in downtown, even as some businesses fall to COVID-19 and related issues.
“If we can keep these restaurants going downtown after hours when the business offices close, it keeps the retail going, and gives a little bit of nightlife down there,” Little said. “I’ve lived in towns where after all the offices closed it was dead after 5 p.m. This is something we need to be
blend of face-to-face and online classes this fall, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The approach taken by MSU is referred to as a hybrid approach to the fall term, with international students required to take at least one course in person.
What’s more, the staff of the International Institute has announced its intention of working with each student to issue a new I-20 certifying that MSU’S operating plans meet the requirements and that the student’s course load meets the requirements.
“The new I-20s will be issued so that we meet the necessary deadlines ensuring that all students remain fully compliant with regulations,” the university said in a statement.
“The International Institute will begin contacting each international student this week to update and submit the new I-20. A new FAQ section will be added to the International Institute’s homepage by Friday to serve as an additional reference.”
The university also announced its support of a statement issued by the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities seeking reconsideration of the new policy by the federal government.
MSU said the administration believes the policy will have a negative impact both on international students and on the university and the surrounding communities.
“Our MSU international students are valued members of the Bulldog family and we will continue to do all we can to provide support to keep them on track toward earning their degrees,” Keenum said.