Oxford · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Oxford public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
North Lamar Improvements State Funding (SB2189)
The board accepted $1 million in state money from Senate Bill 2189 to help pay for North Lamar improvements. The mayor will sign an MOU with the state, and the city must spend it within 36 months with quarterly reporting.
Oxford Square crosswalk lighting
Pedestrian-activated in-pavement lights are coming to the Square's crosswalks to make nighttime crossings safer.
Old Taylor Road / Chucky Mullins traffic signal
After a million years of talk, a traffic signal and left-turn lanes are finally going in at Old Taylor and Chucky Mullins — bids are being advertised now.
Rural transit funding agreement
The Mayor signed the 2026-27 federal 5311 rural transit agreement, keeping OUT's funding and service in place through the fiscal year.
North Lamar Corridor Improvements, Phase 1
Years in the making, the city is now advertising bids to give North Lamar a 'main street' look — on-street parking, buildings closer to the road — starting at the roundabout and heading toward Cincinnatus Boulevard, including the tricky Varner Loop/Ivy Road intersection.
Bobby Street connectivity versus Western Hills neighborhood safety
Neighbors of Western Hills packed the hearing to oppose a road connection into their small community, citing speeding, no sidewalks, and kids playing near a park. The commission recommended approving the plat but kept the connection as right-of-way only, leaving the Board of Aldermen to decide whether a street is ever built.
Pegues Road Extension to Commonwealth Boulevard
The Board formally adopted the preferred road alignment so MDOT can schedule its required public hearing — expected before Thanksgiving — as the draft environmental document sits with the Federal Highway Administration.
Canon Road Bridge Replacement
The flood-prone Canon Road culvert will finally be replaced with a full-size concrete bridge; the Board authorized advertising for bids.
Gertrude Ford Boulevard gas main relocation
Delta Utilities will replace the aging high-pressure gas main overnight to dodge daytime traffic chaos, moving it away from the new accounting school construction. No work after Wednesday nights on Ole Miss football weekends.
Snyder Construction sidewalk and alley closures
A developer asked to close the South Lamar sidewalk and the Harrison Avenue alley for eight months to build at 208 South Lamar. Aldermen balked at the length, the 10-foot fire-truck pinch point, and pushing pedestrians across Oxford's busiest street during football season, and sent the contractor back for a phased plan.
Property acquisitions near F.D. Buddy East Blvd and City Hall
In closed session, the board ordered appraisals for land that could become a connector road to F.D. Buddy East Blvd, a parking lot near the blue water tower, and townhomes near City Hall — early steps in possible purchases.
University of Mississippi sidewalk closure on Gertrude Ford Boulevard
UM's accountancy building project wants to close roughly 900 feet of sidewalk on Gertrude Ford until the end of 2028 — with no sidewalk on the other side of the street. Aldermen pushed back and want a pedestrian detour plan before agreeing.
Thacker Road sidewalk contractor terminated
The city fired its sidewalk contractor and will finish the job with its own crews.
Accelerated schedules for water and road projects
Contractors got permission for night work on Old Taylor Road and Sunday work on Anderson Road so both projects wrap before Ole Miss students return in the fall.
West Jackson Avenue safety grant application
Two approved work zones will pinch traffic: a lane closure on West Jackson Avenue (Jan 27–Feb 3 window) for the Overlook Development driveway, and scaffolding that narrows North 14th Street to 18–20 feet for about a month at the Magnolia Collection.
Molly Barr/Chickasaw roundabout completion
The city formally accepted the new roundabout, clearing the way for the TIF agreement to move forward.
Right-of-way landscape maintenance contract
The city's mowing program for public rights-of-way has grown from about 14 properties to nearly 70, and Creekmore Landscape won the contract at just over $100,000 a year.
University/Highway 7 roundabout night paving
MDOT will close parts of the roundabout and Highway 7 ramps overnight starting around March 30 for final asphalt — expect roughly a week to a week and a half of detours.
Molly Barr Road lane shift
Two lanes of Molly Barr Road will shift January 7–10 so a crane can set steel at the Chelsea Loft project — expect brief congestion before most people are back from the holidays.
Oxford Way–Belt Boulevard road connection
Baptist has agreed to donate land for a new road linking Oxford Way to Belt Boulevard, with a ten-foot multi-use path — a much-needed north-south route easing Old Taylor Road and South Lamar congestion. Construction dates aren't set yet.