The elements of a city’s growth are based on individual decisions to move to a certain place, but ultimately, growth is determined decades earlier.
The University of Mississippi plays an outsized role in Oxford’s growth, as its founders intended. Naming the city after the famous English university, they succeeded in getting the state to charter the University in 1844, and doors opened to the first students in 1848. This led to Oxford’s first growth spurt.
In recent years growth has sped up, seeing university enrollment double in the past twenty years, projected to increase by another 6,000 in the next five years. Moving to Oxford in 2002 when the town had a population of 12,000 and the University about the same, I was fortunate enough to see the tail end of small-town Oxford. At that time, housing was less expensive and traffic light, but we lacked many of the amenities we now enjoy.
Without a large budget, the city could not afford the activities and services it does today. Yet, when you speak to long time Oxonians, most reflect positively on the past and wish some of the things that made Oxford unique remained. Watering holes like The Gin and The Hoka come to mind as places locals old enough to remember still think of fondly. Sadly, I missed these legendary places, but I did get to see a much smaller town with a special charm that welcomed outsiders despite their differences. This made for a special environment that seeded the town for the growth it enjoys today—that, along with progressive leaders who made far reaching decisions some of them would not even see.
Coach Howell comes to mind, a dear friend and neighbor who I had the privilege to know on MLK when I bought a house there for $45,000 in 2002. Those days are gone but not forgotten, as the song goes, and they still live on in the communal ethic and friendly atmosphere that welcomes outsiders. As long as these forces remain, Oxford will continue to grow.
As with other well-governed cities, Oxford’s focus is not only on growth but also on maintaining a high quality of life. These values play out in Aldermen, Planning, and other Commission meetings every month. And if you can’t attend in person, the city broadcasts and records their meetings on YouTube. This transparency is important and is a hallmark of good leadership.
Click here for a calendar of City of Oxford meetings
I remember when Richard Howorth was mayor, and he could be found in one of two places: Square Books or in his office at City Hall. The same could be said for Mayor Pat Patterson, who welcomed strangers and epitomized Southern hospitality. These days, the mayor’s office is on the second floor and there are more staff, which means it may be harder to run into an elected official. But they can still be reached, and that is vital for good governance. In that spirit, two recent city meetings highlight your government at work. One Board, the Aldermen, are elected officials and receive a paycheck for their work. The other boards are filled with volunteers who are unpaid, but their diligence and knowledge are incredible. If you don’t believe me, sit in on a Planning Commission or another City meeting sometime.
At the April 14th Planning Commission meeting, one could see evidence of the tremendous growth on the horizon. Case 3211 focused on a Site Plan approval for Patterson Place, a 145-unit development on approximately 19 acres on Anchorage Road. According to engineer Shane Caldwell, the development will include 450 parking spaces and be similar in appearance to South Grove and Meadow Crest. After a short discussion, the Board approved the site plan.
Cases 3184 and 3175 concerned a special exception and site plan approval for The Landing at Oxford Farms, which is a mixed use (residential and commercial) development on South Lamar featuring doctor’s offices, retail stores, and townhomes. Many locals will remember the land where Oxford Farms is as woodland, which acted as a buffer between the old hospital district and residential neighborhoods like South Oaks. Today it offers space to support the medical and student communities in Oxford that require additional housing and medical services.
Case 3212 concerned a developer’s request to build a large 100+ unit four-story building at 1113 Jackson Avenue. Three special exceptions were granted, including exceptions to the height limit, front setback requirement, and commercial-only rule for the ground floor. Case 3213 also allowed ground-floor residential for a 42-acre development on Anderson Road for student housing and greater density, including additional four- and five-bedroom units to accommodate students.
Finally, Case 3215 granted a special exception to The Crossing at Oxford Commons, a 59-acre development not in the PUD (Planned Unit Development). Over 200 single-family homes are planned for this area, and the exception was approved. As the meeting ended, one commissioner asked if traffic had been adequately planned for in this area given the size of the development. The engineer stated a Master Traffic Plan for the Commons was designed to handle this additional traffic.
Ultimately, growth does not come without pain. But it doesn’t come without opportunity either. Oxford is blessed to have the opportunity for its current and future growth based on the investments made in the community for generations. But ultimately how this growth is managed will be the test of current and future leaders. Hopefully our leaders will rise to the challenge and Oxford’s residents will care enough to stay engaged. The future is up to all of us.
