Jackson Free Press

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting: "Jackson's No. 1 legislative priority — construction of a convention center — is on shaky ground again at the Capitol, House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, told The Clarion-Ledger editorial board Tuesday. Chances of the city getting legislative approval for a sales tax or a tax on restaurants and hotels ‘are pretty tough this year,'' McCoy said. During fall election campaigns, most lawmakers expressed strong opposition to tax increases and nothing has changed in the new year, McCoy said. It would take a three-fifths vote in the House and Senate to pass any revenue increases. "I don't see the sentiment for a three-fifths majority,'' he said.

Previous Comments

ID

168238

Comment

The convention center is the *new* King Edward... On again... Off again. Rather sad since ground's already been broken (from what I understand).

Author

kaust

Date

2004-01-21T21:42:34-06:00

ID

168239

Comment

The convention center is still in the planning stages... the "Telecom Center" (are they still calling it that?) has already broken ground. Two separate facilities. I wish they take the money to build an convention center and put it to use attracting private multi-use residential/entertainment development... then maybe a convention may want to come here.

Author

anakin

Date

2004-01-21T22:39:16-06:00

ID

168240

Comment

You make a good point, Anakin. I'm not a huge fan of big municipal projects, either, and I'm not a believer in "build it and they will come." I personally believe building a strong urban core has to more ground-up than that, or at least as ground-up as it is top-down. Of course, it's not popular to diss these municipal projects in the city -- but I'm sure not hankering to go to a restaurant in one of these buildings. Sure, let folks who need to lobby for their convention center, but we're sunk from get-go if we put all our eggs in that basket. It seems like way too much Waiting for Big Things has happened in this city. Fortunately, that seems to be changing, and I predict big success as a result. But it takes every one of us to make it happen. Go out and do something *every chance you get* downtown if you want to see it be something special. Let the Convention Center folks worry about the Convention Center.

Author

ladd

Date

2004-01-21T22:47:11-06:00

ID

168241

Comment

From the C-L: Gov. Haley Barbour said Wednesday he supports building a convention center in downtown Jackson and would not veto legislation for a local tax hike to fund the complex. Barbour said he has met with Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. about the $85 million proposal, and believes the center would be a great asset for the city. "Look at Hattiesburg. That convention center down there is just a super asset. The question is ways and means," he said while between meetings at his Capitol office. "How do you fund it? Who's included? Who's involved? Is it going to be metro? Are we going to have all the people in three counties involved in running it? Are we going to have all the people in the three counties involved in paying for it? I think there are some issues that have got to be worked through." Johnson said in a statement that the city is still optimistic about getting legislative approval to finance the center. Full story... They make note of many smaller cities and communities that have convention centers. I've seen many and most do not have thriving entertainment districts, small boutique-style shopping areas, or a sprawling population. If these centers work for them and pull in external business, it seems plausible it could and should work for JXN. With MCI, SkyTel, CellularSouth, BellSouth, AT&T Wireless, and Air2LAN all having successful operations in the metro area, a convention center may be just what this city needs. While my own personal jury is out on this issue, I'm eager to see any functional development going on in the CBD.

Author

kaust

Date

2004-01-22T10:09:23-06:00

ID

168242

Comment

My own opinon is that we need some sort of decent convention center in Jackson. It doesn't have to be humongous. But right now, it's hard to have a gathering of more than about 800 to 1,000 people for a conference, and that's just lame. My husband and I have both been involved in planning conferences, and it's really disheartening to hear people push for going to the coast or to a casino, because they have better facilities and are perceived as being more attractive to out of town visitors. Plus, the telco and proposed convention center are downtown, and could provide additional traffic to the businesses down there. I've been to alot of convention centers in my day, and I'd be happy if they all had good downtown locations like the one in Jackson, where you can walk to a museum or a local restaurant, where you can stay in a local hotel and not have to rent a car or take taxis for every little thing. It could work, as a piece of the overall revitalization plan.

Author

kate

Date

2004-01-22T10:34:44-06:00

ID

168243

Comment

Kate, I believe I agreed with you on another thread that was on this topic. But, yeah, a convention center is definitely needed in Jackson because of the reasons you mentioned (facilities, attractive).

Author

Ex

Date

2004-01-22T10:42:10-06:00

ID

168244

Comment

Great minds think alike, eh, Ex? Seriously, Jackson would be a great place to attend a conference. Most places I end up going are filled to the brim with soulless, generic national chain restaurants (which I won't list, because I don't want to incur their wrath). I'd love to come to Jackson for a conference, and eat out at some of the locally owned spots downtown, and get a real flavor for the city I was visiting. Now, if only we had a Caribbean restaurant downtown...

Author

kate

Date

2004-01-22T10:46:33-06:00

ID

168245

Comment

You make excellent points on the local flavor Kate and Ex. We do have many great locally-owned restaurants and businesses in the general area of the convention center... Not to mention a museum, one of the South's largest planetariums, historical landmarks, etc. They're all within walking distance and would be great for those businesses. Let's face it, if you had the choice between downtown Jackson's modern convention center vs. Hattiesburg or Southaven's, which would you choose? It'd take some serious marketing of the local flavor and nationwide alliances but with the great lobbying skills and ties Barbour supposedly has it should not be a problem. ;-)

Author

kaust

Date

2004-01-22T10:54:48-06:00

ID

168246

Comment

Knol: Let's face it, if you had the choice between downtown Jackson's modern convention center vs. Hattiesburg or Southaven's, which would you choose? I've not been to Southaven's, but have been to Hattiesburg's convention center, which is very nice. Hattiesburg is also a good restaurant town. Crescent City is always awesome. Chesterfield's is also good. If you're into Japanese food, Sakura is nice. I haven't been to Leatha's since it moved there from Foxworth, but it has an excellent reputation.

Author

Ex

Date

2004-01-22T12:07:56-06:00

ID

168247

Comment

Did any of you attend the Crossroads Film Festival a few years ago when it was held not only at the Parkway Place on Lakeland but also at the Mississippi Museum of Art and the Alamo? We actually did have people in town walking back and forth from MMA and the Alamo. Many stopped and ate at the various downtown restaurants, too. It was splendid.

Author

Lynette Hanson

Date

2004-01-22T14:58:01-06:00

ID

168248

Comment

This statement in a Clarion-Ledger editorial today kind of tickled me: But the need for such a building in Jackson is obvious, one that affects the metro area and the state. This was in no way made more obvious than with Barbour's inaugural festivities. There simply was not a suitable venue large enough and with the amenities visiting dignitaries expect to host such an event in Jackson. Not to be rude, but prominent guests and dignitaries from across the nation dressed in tuxedos and ball gowns gathering where livestock is shown at the Coliseum isn't exactly an image that puts Mississippi's best foot forward. As Barbour would say: Mississippi can do better. http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0401/23/leditorial.html

Author

ladd

Date

2004-01-23T13:33:15-06:00

ID

168249

Comment

They do certainly have a point! The coliseum has become a catch-all for all sorts of events from graduations to monster truck shows, to wrestling matches to a few concerts. It certainly would be nice to have a more fitting venue for some events of a higher caliber (if permitted).

Author

kaust

Date

2004-01-23T13:41:00-06:00

ID

168250

Comment

I miss the old paint job on the Coliseum. Back when it was painted like a circus tent, all orange and yellow. It was even more diginified then!

Author

kate

Date

2004-01-23T13:47:54-06:00

ID

168251

Comment

Wow, I'd forgotten about that. Yeah, that was cool. ;-)

Author

ladd

Date

2004-01-23T13:49:17-06:00

ID

168252

Comment

I liked that circus-tent-motif myself. Now it looks just like any other big round building with a pointed top, sort of homogenized, like parts of Capitol Street. Having character is important to a city as well as to individuals as far as I'm concerned. But the multi-use aspect of it doesn't bother me one bit. I well remember seeing Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and Mississippian Bobbie Gentry in the Cow Barn at State back in 1966 or 1967, can't remember which. One part of it was scandalizing to me, though - Mitch Ryder got really warm and took off his shirt on stage! Oh, horrors! What a tempting sight for those of us who were still somewhat innocent. It didn't seem to bother anyone that earlier in the year we had registered for classes in that same building or that the ag and vet students used it for classes involving animals.

Author

Lynette Hanson

Date

2004-01-23T14:27:59-06:00