Page 16 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2026

COAST NOTE
KeepingCharacter Blueprint
Pass Christian Main Street
shrimp boats in the harbor
sunbathers on the beach
story by
Lynn Lofton
photos courtesy of
Pass Christian Main Street
downtown pass christian
jazz in the pass
16 | January 2026 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Welcoming growth but not wanting to lose the city’s character, Pass Christian is working with the Mississippi Main Street Association on the Keeping Character Blueprint. The Pass Christian Main Street program was inactive a few years, but now it’s back and building capacity.
“The Keeping Character Blueprint name was in response to conversations with current leadership in Pass Christian, and the emphasis on promoting slow, steady growth that respects their history and preserves their character,” says the Association Executive Director Jeannie Waller Zieren.
As an overview of the program, Zieren explains, “Pass Christian is undergoing a period of rapid growth, bringing both opportunities and challenges. The community is working to strike a delicate balance between embracing growth and preserving its unique character and history. Initiatives that support slow, steady, and respectful development are welcome.”
Everything proposed must be filtered through one fundamental question: Does this promote slow, steady growth that respects the city’s history and preserves its character?
Officials with Pass Main Street says they’ve rebuilt the Board of Directors to be fully functioning and made the decision to take advantage of the benefits of being a Designated Main Street Community to serve the community.
businesses as well as our residents. As our town has progressed so has Pass Christian Main Street,” says Board President Wendy Diaz del Valle. “The events that we produce are very well attended and appreciated by our residents, as well as folks from Coast communities and visitors from all over the country.”
She and Main Street Executive Director Sheryl Baltar stress that Pass Christian is a warm, welcoming community that wishes to maintain its small town charm and character.
“We pride ourselves in offering a place for children to grow
up in a healthy, positive environment. Activities such as sailing, fishing, boating, a respect for the arts, high school sports as well
as youth programs together make up a wholesome environment for our children to grow up and have a sense of pride in The
Pass as their home town. Our parks and beaches along with our downtown bring all of this together to retain the charm of The Pass that so many people cherish,” they said.
Zieren says, “Meetings with city leadership are a key part of
the process. There are several input sessions with community stakeholders that inform the direction of the roadmap. it is very important for the city to be on board as the city is often the vehicle to help fund the recommended projects and design plans.”
“We are pleased with our growing participation from local
Pass Christian Main Street 200 W. Scenic Dr., Pass Christian 228.493.7570 • www.passmainstreet.com