A master plan for proposed streetscape improvements to BrookwayBoulevard and Monticello Street has been completed and will bepresented to the public next week.

The Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce’s CommunityAppearance Committee plans to allow the public to review the masterplan at 7 p.m., Aug. 22, in the State Room of State Bank and TrustCompany.

“We really encourage people to come out because we want to haveas much citizen and business owner participation as possible,” saidChandler Russ, executive vice president of the chamber ofcommerce.

The plans detail how Brookhaven’s “front door and main corridor”can be given a face lift to attract people to the area, said Russ,about the improvements to Brookway Boulevard from Interstate 55 toMonticello Street and ending at the Hamilton Streetintersection.

Some of the highlights include planting trees and making flowerbeds in the middle turning lane of Brookway Boulevard.

The master plan also calls for having additional flower beds onBrookway Boulevard and Monticello Street, along with decorativestreet lamps.

Another proposed improvement is adding three small structures onBrookway Boulevard near Interstate 55. The brick buildings willhave decorative lighting and a sign showing Brookhaven’s logo.

Community appearance committee members believe improving thegateway to the city is a necessary project so the city’sstreetscapes will stay in line with Brookhaven’s growth.

“This is going to be our front door so it needs to look nice,because these streets will be traveled by many people in the state,coming to visit their children at the new school,” said JimminettePhillips, the committee’s chairwoman.

The appearance committee looked at other growing towns’improvements while making their plans for Brookhaven.

Their ideas were made visual by Weatherford/McDade, which hascompleted streetscape improvement projects in Natchez, Ridgelandand Meadville. The company designed several maps to show how a fewchanges could significantly improve Brookhaven’s appearance.

The appearance committee hopes to begin implementing those plansthis fall, with the help of donations and grants.

“With the plan, we were able to apply for grants and secure afew, but those will not pay for the whole project,” said Phillips,adding that donations will be needed to complete the project.

The plan was made possible by seed money from the VisionCouncil, which has raised money for city improvements. Some ofthose funds were allocated for streetscape improvements, saidPhillips.

Phillips encouraged more Brookhaven residents and businessowners to take part in the effort to shape the image ofBrookhaven’s front door.