Pearl River Revitalization Plan
This project aims to reconnect Jackson to the Pearl River through public access points, park and trail networks, and modern, ecological flood control solutions.
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This project plan was developed by the Pearl River Revitalization Coalition in collaboration with TREE Urban Design + Landscape Architecture. It builds upon the Alternative D1 Flood Control footprint, originally proposed by Mendrop Engineering and the Rankin-Hinds Flood Control District, and presented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Our firm has taken the D1 footprint and expanded it into a comprehensive vision that integrates flood control with public parks, greenways, access points, and mixed-use development zones. The goal is to reimagine the riverfront not just as a piece of infrastructure, but as a civic, recreational, and ecological asset. This framework organizes the river corridor into zones for recreation, habitat restoration, and economic development making space for both nature and people.
A key feature of the plan is the creation of a connected network of trails and parks that link the Pearl River to nearby neighborhoods via existing creek systems. These green corridors will allow residents to access the river on foot or by bike while introducing green infrastructure that filters and detains stormwater runoff before it enters the Pearl River, improving water quality and ecological function.
The plan is illustrated across three scales:
Full Flood Control Project: Encompassing 1,500 acres
Downtown Jackson View: Focusing on 500 acres within the city core
Riverfront Park Concept: A 150-acre park reimagined atop a capped former landfill
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2023 - Ongoing
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1500 Acres
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Jackson, Mississippi | Pearl River Basin
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Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
Tree Urban Design Studio
Engineering
Mendrop Engineering
Technical Oversight
US Army Corps of Engineers
Pearl River Revitalization Coalition Members
City of Jackson, Hinds County, Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Jackson Partners, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Belhaven University, Hinds Community College, Greater Belhaven Foundation, Great City Mississippi Foundation, Jackson Heart Foundation, Fondren Renaissance Foundation, Visit Jackson, Mississippi Children’s Museum, Mississippi Museum of Art, C Spire Foundation, Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, Ergon Foundation, LeFleur East Foundation, Clean Up Jackson
In 2020 and again in 2022, residents in Jackson, Mississippi and surrounding areas witnessed floodwaters invading their streets and homes, underscoring an ongoing threat to the Jackson metro region. These events are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of flooding risks that affect the entire community.
The Pearl River Revitalization Plan presents a comprehensive vision for an ongoing initiative focused on sustainable flood control measures while enhancing public amenities and long-term resilience for the Pearl River Basin and surroundings regions.
In 2024, over 20 local business owners, community leaders, engineers, government entities, and others have now joined together to develop the Pearl River Revitalization Coalition to advocate for the flood control solution offering the best alternative for lasting flood protection and benefits for future generations.
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The Alternative D Solution published in the Pearl River Environmental Impact State report by the USACE proposes river widening and replacing the 100 year old weir with a 21st century weir. The plan manages flooding while also creating a range of community benefits.
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The Pearl River is currently inaccessible to the Jackson community. The proposed greenspace network would create numerous public access points to the watershed to passive recreation. Improved access can increase the overall public health of the community.
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Over the past 40 years, Jackson has experienced recurring detrimental flood events that each resulted in over a billion dollars of damages, loss of homes and businesses, and caused local water treatment facilities to fail.
Existing Conditions + Project Potential
For decades, the communities surrounding the Pearl River have experienced the unfortunate effects of outdated stormwater management infrastructure. The existing conditions of the Pearl River present significant challenges. Pollution from sewage leakage and litter is prevalent, exacerbated by the poor condition of water treatment facilities and lack of ecological systems. Access to the river is severely limited from the city and surrounding areas, further hindering efforts to manage and improve its condition. Despite the existing limitations, The US Army Corps of Engineers have developed a proposed plan for the Pearl River Basin, Alternative D1, which offers a unique opportunity to reimagine Jackson’s riverfront.
Pearl River Revitalization: A Plan for Flood Resilience + Biophilic Connection
Though historically separated from the Pearl River, Jackson was originally founded from a significant point on the river now known as LeFleur’s Bluff. The Pearl River Revitalization Plan, developed with the USACE’s proposed Alternative D1 boundary, offers a modern approach to flood control featuring public access to park and trail networks along the river, replacement of outdated infrastructure, integration of ecological stormwater management solutions through constructed wetlands, and a new, collective identity for Jackson, Mississippi rooted in appreciation for natural resources by reconnecting these communities to nature.
The plan not only directly benefits the adjacent area of Downtown Jackson, but also provides flood protection for the Jackson metro area and surrounding regions that have been impacted by ongoing flood events. Learn more about the coalition efforts, current events, and project updates by following the link to the Pearl River Project website.