The second focus involves strategic corridors that handle different types of growth. The Magnolia Bypass (Highways 79/82) has evolved into the city’s main commercial and logistics hub, attracting new hotel and apartment developments. Conversely, the Jackson Street Corridor represents a targeted, mixed-use opportunity. This route directly connects Southern Arkansas University to the downtown square and is envisioned as a future zone for live-work communities and facilities, strategically linking the city’s core educational and civic assets. FOUNDATIONAL SYSTEMS Underpinning Magnolia’s growth strategy is a commitment to robust infrastructure, a critical factor for any business considering expansion. Key transportation upgrades are already complete and yielding benefits. A major ARDOT project widened Highway 82 and 79 from two lanes to five within the city and upgraded the bridge at their intersection. This project, as Nelson confirms, “has already been completed,” and has tangibly helped with the traffic flow, enhancing logistical efficiency for existing and future businesses. Perhaps the most significant strategic advantage, however, lies in the city’s utility capacity. While other booming regions struggle with capacity, Magnolia is ahead of the curve. “We make way more water than we use,” Nelson states, a rare and valuable position. He emphasizes this capacity is a ready asset for industry, noting,“we are set up that we could, if a large industry that used a large amount of domestic water, we could supply them without even having to take a second look to make sure.” Concurrently, the city is proactively making changes to its wastewater system to ensure it can equally handle and sustain future growth, turning a potential bottleneck into a core competitive strength. THE RESERVE AT MAGNOLIA LAKES Acknowledging that growth is impossible without adequate housing, Magnolia is directly confronting a significant housing deficit that has been a barrier 126 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11
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