Jackson Free Press

Although the JFP did its own feature story on the convention center a few weeks ago (Sept. 23-29, 2004), and I've talked to many of the players personally, I was still hoping that The Clarion-Ledger's recent package of stories and opinions would help me come to a conclusion about the convention center's viability. But what I read was just more of the same, and I'm not much closer to a decision on what makes the most sense. (Although I did get a giggle out of Sid Salter sounding off in support of new taxes and a big-government municipal project.) By next week, the JFP hopes to endorse one way or another. But we need a few more answers first.

My basic problem is that spending money and effort on a convention center goes against those "Creative Class" principles that I talk about and a lot of us in the city have come to have some faith in. The idea is essentially this: Why spend millions on a big building when a place like Hal and Mal's or Gloria's Kitchen or Video Cafe in Belhaven can do much more for the livability of your community--and the viability of your older neighborhoods--than can a massive municipal structure?

We've seen unabashed renewal successes in cities that have managed their downtowns almost like shopping malls--using incentives and planning and some municipal constructions to encourage shops and entertainment and 'third places' designed primarily to make your town a better place to live. A vibrant downtown community could have a lot of the same impact that the tourism industry has--ask Memphis or Greenwich Village or Austin. And development aimed at pleasing citizens often does a better job of capturing the authenticity of a city, because it focuses on the arts and culture of and by the citizenry. The success that the Fondren neighborhood has had comes from this sort of focus, as does the welcoming feel of Congress Street. Farish Street has the same potential, and the blocks between Commerce and State Street around Hal and Mal's will probably continue that type of renaissance.

Sure, I think it's nice when people come in to town for a John Deere convention and enjoy what we have to offer. (Hopefully they pick up the JFP to figure out where to eat and see a band.) But the conventioneers can't be our sole focus, and it's a little frustrating to see a proposal on the table that's aimed at adding about $65 million to the $25 million we're already spending on the Telecom Center because the TradeMart sucks for John Deere conventions--or beauty pageants or even for some sort of Southeastern MedTech Convention attended by thousands.

But, that damn TradeMart speaks to the main reason that I'm leaning toward the convention center--we should already have one. Jackson is the capital, it's a commercial hub and it is--in my opinion--a darned interesting place with great music and food and culture. I wish we were arguing right now about renovating a convention center that already existed and was doing a modest business--that's something I could really sink my teeth into and be totally against.

The issue is this: Does Jackson's lack of any reasonable convention facilities trump the fact that building a convention center is rarely a solution that improves the local cultural amenities of a city? (The corollary is, of course: Would Jackson be able to get money to improve the cultural amenities of the city out of the Mississippi state Legislature anyway? Doubtful.)

To find an answer, I need to ask a few more of my own questions that have yet to be answered well. Perhaps the answers will emerge between now and the election:

1. What can be done about the design and the surrounding area to make it as people friendly as possible? Will it be a place where downtown office workers will want to have lunch or take a break and stroll around? Just one greenway courtyard or amphitheater planned for art installations or live music would be encouraging.)

2. Will it be professionally run and marketed? I'd like to see the city answer some questions about how specifically the convention center will be marketed and how it fits into an overall marketing plan for Jackson that plays to our strengths in culture and diversity.

3. Do we have enough hotel rooms? All across the country, cities that built or renovated convention centers in the last decades are now building convention hotels, which are an extremely important component for convention business. Jackson only has 500+ rooms downtown right now. The city should answer the question of where the rooms are going to come from and if it'll cost the taxpayer to subsidize them. It's my opinion that if the solution is busing people from High Street, that will turn off convention planners.

4. Can we use the convention center for hockey games? (OK -- that one came from a sports fan in our sales department.)

5. What else is in the program to encourage downtown restaurants, retail, clubs and residential?

I really wish we already had a convention center so that we could discuss other priorities. While I think the 'Enough is Enough' opponents make some interesting points, it seems clear that they are primarily against the funding mechanism--but the argument is weak when you consider the hospitality taxes in surrounding municipalities. A general sales tax increase is even more regressive than a hospitality tax, as it would tax staples such as groceries.

If the city gets the votes, then it'll have the authorization from the Legislature to raise the taxes and issue the bonds. We have this opportunity now, on the table, and it may be the best one to come along. But if it goes through, I think it will be incumbent upon us as Jacksonians to keep asking questions and to stay on the city about what else we're going to do in downtown to help residents and business owners.

The fundamental question is less "If you build it, will tourists come?" What I'd like to ask is, "If you build it, will we care?" If the convention center is the cornerstone for a comprehensive plan for downtown that includes benefits for area residents and businesses, we will care.

Previous Comments

ID

69405

Comment

"1. What can be done about the design and the surrounding area to make it as people friendly as possible? Will it be a place where downtown office workers will want to have lunch or take a break and stroll around? Just one greenway courtyard or amphitheater planned for art installations or live music would be encouraging.)" - Todd I hope so. It would be great to at least see local artists featured in the center and outside the theater (sculptures and wonderful park-like sanctuaries). We should all be able to enjoy this place whether there's a convention or not. "3. Do we have enough hotel rooms? All across the country, cities that built or renovated convention centers in the last decades are now building convention hotels, which are an extremely important component for convention business. Jackson only has 500+ rooms downtown right now. The city should answer the question of where the rooms are going to come from and if itíll cost the taxpayer to subsidize them. Itís my opinion that if the solution is busing people from High Street, that will turn off convention planners." -Todd Actually, every convention (all 3 of them) I've been to around the country have included direct shuttle from "official hotels" from as far away as 20 miles... Hell, they were in different cities basically. Ultimately, I do see rooms being a challenge but busing or shuttles are common to every convention I've endured. Hell, anyone will ride in a bus to get a free corporate frisbee or koozie, right? ;-) "4. Can we use the convention center for hockey games?" -Todd That'll work as long as they sell beer, damn it! "5. What else is in the program to encourage downtown restaurants, retail, clubs and residential?" -Todd Too me this is the best question asked. Give us more data on how this will help our city and will boost not only our tourism (when's six flags coming?) but everything within our city limits (or at least CBD). "If the convention center is the cornerstone for a comprehensive plan for downtown that includes benefits for area residents and businesses, we will care." Preach on and amen! One last thing... I'd personally rather see the money invested in revitalizing our downtown. I think this would generate residents that will fill-out our tax-base and enrich the Creative Class you mentioned above. I'd rather see locals wandering our streets with smiles on their faces than potentially rude tourists every other week. OK... I realize the locals could be rude too but at least they'd be smiling. ;-)

Author

kaust

Date

2004-10-13T16:17:50-06:00

ID

69406

Comment

in my conversations with informed people over the past months regarding this elephant-sized issue, several of my personal issues and concerns have been put to rest. the board that will govern the facility will not consist solely of the mayor and his cronies, if that's how you view them. the jobs and revenue numbers that have been not-too-eloquently questioned by those with the mississippi restaurant association are based on projections reached by people who are familiar with the limitiations of staging a large-scale gathering here in jackson, and who know the opportunites we have missed over the years, and who have counterparts in other cities where facilities like these have been built and are successes. backing the effort this time around is a diverse, educated, passionate group that crosses party, gender, race, and industry lines. the funding package that has been assembled, haggled over, and finally agreed upon, makes sense and is actually a good deal compared to some other cities in the southeast. (the argument put forth by the MRA that a general sales tax increase would be more equitable is poppycock. generally, lower income people don't dine at nick's. they buy groceries. they're not going to feel this increase. plus, it's a penny on the dollar.) the good faith shown by community leaders jeff good and dan blumenthal and others prove that this is a venture that we can all get behind. downtown (and jackson itself) is at a tipping point. signs of life are visible just about everywhere you look. in my opinion, even if the facility does only half of the projected figures for the first year, having large groups of people in the heart of downtown is going to spur private developers to jump in. there will be places to live and more places to eat that are open after dark and places to gather in addition to those that are already in place. i got a good feeling about this the moment i saw the rendering in the ledge a couple of years ago. it's time. we pass this and in 5 years we'll hopefully be in the process of reopening pigeon palace - the peabody south. and a new westin hotel on pearl street. with a carribean 5 star restaurant in the lobby. and another 930 blues cafe on farish - three times as big with a sound system better than house of blues. and a real imax theater. and going to see bands at the alamo on a regular basis. and... come to hal and mal's this saturday night and feel the excitement. have some questions answered. eat some good food, have a drink, and listen to some great local music. it's only gonna get better from here...

Author

Jay

Date

2004-10-13T16:51:35-06:00

ID

69407

Comment

Todd: 1. What can be done about the design and the surrounding area to make it as people friendly as possible? Will it be a place where downtown office workers will want to have lunch or take a break and stroll around? Just one greenway courtyard or amphitheater planned for art installations or live music would be encouraging.) Philip: I brought up architectural style on the last Convention thread. This is HIGHLY important if downtown's character is to be preserved - both the building's exterior and interior. Another post from someone in Philadelphia, PA also brings up a point that seems true to life - saying that visitors don't make a place interesting, locals do (as a Dallas example, the nice but touristy West End vs. locally-oriented Deep Ellum and Lower Greenville for local flavor). In New Orleans, the French Quarter, though it still has character, has been overrun by tourists -- the locals I know head to the Marigny for less commercialized entertainment. Likewise, in Memphis, Beale Street is more touristy while Cooper-Young, Overton Square and the studenty Highland St near U of Memphis is more locally oriented. So I could support the convention center if it is placed sufficiently far from Fondren and Belhaven.

Author

Philip

Date

2004-10-13T21:45:18-06:00

ID

69408

Comment

Private polling is running 65% against -- actually a couple of polls came in much worse. Of course the Mayor would never tell you he's worried though he's smart enough to know it was doomed from the outset. It doesn't matter what type of funding mechanism made it out of the Legislature, as long as the convention center is a Harvey Johnson production its a non-starter with the voters. Do I expect the 'Yes on the center' to win just 35% of the vote? Nope. But it won't reach the 60% supermajority needed to pass. JPS would struggle to get the 60% needed to pass a school bond -- without question a cause voters would prioritize as much more worthy of consideration and support. The convention center doesn't have a chance. 700 jobs? Have the Jackson Free Press whiz middle-agers (kids?) gone so soft that they're really getting excited about what will be almost exclusively service sector jobs? Is that how we rebuild downtown? Will the holders of these dishwashing, food service, parking attendant, hot dog cart hawker, etc jobs be able to lease one those fancy new flats in the Electric Building? Get real, of course not. Lip service your Creative Class happiness all you want, this center runs counter to your oft-repeated CC sermons. Too bad you just can't swallow hard on the political implications, come out and say so. The odds strongly favor the JFP eventually endorsing simply because you're big Harvey Johnson supporters. Ah, yes, there is more at stake here than just the convention center. A convention center loss wounds Harvey seriously and puts us one step closer to a Frank Melton win. Frank Melton, a candidate the JFP most certainly will come out against after you bash him around a bit first. The intellecutal conundrum in this column is only smoke and mirrors. Spare us the gymnastics. You aren't that complicated. Even if you endorse next week the fact that big downtown revitalization cheerleaders, such as yourselves, are publishing about this 'decision quandry' 20 days out from the vote is all one needs to understand this center is DOA. The convention center is a loss just waiting for the polls to close on November 2nd.

Author

TC Stein

Date

2004-10-13T22:31:46-06:00

ID

69409

Comment

tc: in this context, the words 'private polling' make me laugh. what does that mean? johnson is to convention center as musgrove was to nissan. dig me? there's a lot more at work here than just the mayor. but hey, you said it. it's a 'harvey johnson production!' is frank melton against this? why? school bonds don't = convention center funding. apples don't = oranges. c'mon. we don't fund public school construction/renovation with hospitality taxes. or do we? what's wrong with having a visible creative class here in jackson? none of my three jobs qualify me as a member, so help me understand... (two of the three are technically service industry! maybe i'll be hawking hotdogs soon!) i hope you live in jackson so you can chuckle as you cancel out my vote.

Author

Jay

Date

2004-10-14T02:53:13-06:00

ID

69410

Comment

the words 'private polling' make me laugh. what does that mean? Private polls, conducted by the various stakeholders in this election, used to guide their campaigns, that aren't released to the public. This couldn't be a new concept to you. You don't have to believe me but polling is taking place. johnson is to convention center as musgrove was to nissan. I'd agree if you are just doing name associations but that would be the end of the comparisons. The Nissan project and the convention center are two completely different birds. is frank melton against this? I didn't say that he was. You'll need to ask him yourself. I'm pretty sure what his response will be but you should independently verify on your own. His answer might surprise you. school bonds don't = convention center funding. apples don't = oranges. c'mon. we don't fund public school construction/renovation with hospitality taxes. or do we? You are missing another point. The issue is the hurdle of needing a 60% supermajority. Extremely hard to pull off for projects where the public perceives much greater value and benefit than the convention center. i hope you live in jackson so you can chuckle as you cancel out my vote. I do but your problem is there aren't 6 of you for every 4 of me. So I guess I will be laughing. See you at the polls. Vote early. Turnout will be heavy.

Author

TC Stein

Date

2004-10-14T07:18:17-06:00

ID

69411

Comment

i have seen the results of one 'private' poll, and the responses with regard to the convention center were favorable. i guess we can both decide whether or not to believe each other, since we're keeping our sources 'private.' i can grasp the concept that nissan and the CCCC are two different birds. you called the center a 'harvey johnson production' and i'm saying that it's not. city leaders have been batting this around for many years. former mayors included. this is simply one of the high-visibility projects that mayor johnson has decided to actively promote. as governor musgrove did with nissan. musgrove didn't lure nissan here all by himself, and johnson hasn't put this plan together solo. all i can gather about frank melton is that he's obsessed with the city's crime stats. which is not neccessarily a bad thing. but aside from pandering to north jackson, reinforcing illusions that downtown is a crack-addled wasteland, and locking up the thugs, what's he gonna do to make the city better? if you know his position and you're satisfied with it, why not state it here? link to it, quote him, whatever. school bond issues aren't notorious for passing with ease. a supermajority isn't an easy number to reach. i agree. TC, you're trying to punch holes in my argument that the city needs this facility, but it seems that your real agenda is a broad disdain for the mayor, the JFP, and the creative class. c'mon. give me some REAL REASONS why i should vote no on this. (besides sniffing about low-paying service jobs. gimme a break.)

Author

Jay

Date

2004-10-14T10:11:30-06:00

ID

69412

Comment

I voted on September 20, but I did not vote in the part about the Convention Center because I do not live in Jackson. However, I do think that they should have a movie theatre in Jackson and should be trying to get one. I bet that Jackson is the only city its size (and the only state capital) without a movie theatre. This would benefit more people, to me, than a convention center. Most of the theatres in the small towns (Crystal Springs, Hazlehurst, etc.) have closed, so a lot of people go to see the films in other towns. I will not go to Clinton or outside Hinds County. The last film that I saw (other than at New Stage Theatre) was in 1997 in New Orleans.

Author

danfling

Date

2004-10-14T12:13:27-06:00

ID

69413

Comment

knol - i'd rather see the money put towards revitalizing things for the actual citizens of jackson, too (a movie theatre more public spaces, better transiet system, etc), but unfortunately this vote isn't use this tax for this or something else. it's use this tax for this or no tax at all. i've been in lots of quandries about this. i'm not sure what i think at all because i've seen lots of proof of other convention centers failing, and as todd does, i have a lot of questions. BUT! i'm registered in louisiana, not mississippi, so it doesnt matter too much if i come to some idea about what i think about it. but i think the whole election has been good because it's got people thinking about downtown again. whether or not it passes, i think people are starting to look at downtown with hope and possibility.

Author

casey

Date

2004-10-14T23:14:41-06:00

ID

69414

Comment

In last Sunday's C-L, there were pro- and anti-Convention Center articles written by Jeff Good(pro) and Mike Cashion(anti). Pro: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041010/OPINION/410100313/1046 Anti: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041010/OPINION/410100312/1046 I don't see how the restaurant tax should be of any concern. You'd have to spend $1000 at a restaurant just to see an extra $10 of tax. And it's not hurting the restaurant owners one bit. And, the motel tax is higher, but it would have zero effect on people staying in town. After reading both of the C-L articles, I have to side with Good on this one. Both sides are filled with speculation, but Cashion fails to make any solid points. Good at LEAST makes the relevant point that we have no meeting space whatsoever in Jackson, and it's hurt us. In my mind, the positives far outweigh the negatives with this project. Good also points out that we're saving resources by already having the Telecom Center in place. And the thought of having the Convention Center next to the TeleCom Center, Planetarium, Art Museum, Thalia Mara Hall and the MS Arts Pavilion is very exciting. So much potential, and I really think that Jackson could market this in ways that many other cities can't. Not everybody has facilities like these anywhere near their Convention Centers. Pretty much everybody I've talked to has said that Jackson definitely needs a Convention Center. And the few that seem to be against it are the ones that think they should just bury the City of Jackson to begin with. Thankfully, a lot of these folks live in Suburbia. This is the farthest we've ever gotten in regards to getting this project approved. Let's finish this thing.

Author

millhouse

Date

2004-10-15T11:14:33-06:00

ID

69415

Comment

But, millhouse, do you think that perhaps Jackson could get a movie theatre? I have only been using video stores for the past six years or so, and the last time I was in a movie theatre was in New Orleans. I did see Woody Allen's Sweet and Low in Jackson, but it was at a New Stage Theatre showing. It would be good to have a theatre in Jackson.

Author

danfling

Date

2004-10-16T05:20:12-06:00

ID

69416

Comment

Also, I meant to say that pretty much everybody I've talked to has said that Jackson definitely needs a movie theatre more than a Convention Center because more people would enjoy atttending movies than attending the events of a Convention Center. Then, after the movie theatre were built, they would turn their attention to the building of a Convention Center.

Author

danfling

Date

2004-10-16T05:23:26-06:00

ID

69417

Comment

danfling, Yes. Jackson proper needs a movie theater in the worst way. But comparing a $1 or $2 million movie theater to a $70 million convention center is, to put it mildly, comparing apples to oranges. A new movie theater can be put up in almost a moment's notice and wouldn't require any taxes from anybody. Frankly, I'd love to see a theater in Jackson that serves a broader range of food and has beer on tap, too! :D But, really....that kind of stuff is child's play compared to the convention center project. Locations? I'd like to see the conversion of the Iron Horse building into a movie theater....if it's never gonna be converted back to the old Iron Horse (which would be ideal to me)! Or, if not there, somewhere close. (Off topic, I'd also love to see the Midnight Sun open again. That place was legendary.)

Author

millhouse

Date

2004-10-16T08:34:41-06:00

ID

69418

Comment

I agree with Knoll that instead of trying to attract tourists we should try to revitalize our city. I don't think a convention center can do that. We need more businesses and residents downtown than tourists. What I think we should do is make all of downtown Jackson like Fondren. Fondren, as far as I can see at least, attracts a lot of people and that should be very good for businesses. If the rest of Jackson were like it, it would be one of the coolest cities in the South. We should also try to have more hang out spots for teens. All we really have are restaurants and the mall. I can't really picture any kids calling up their friends saying "Hey, lets go hang at the convention center." We're probably not going to be that interested in the conventions. And we'd rather spend our time in a place full of people we know than a bunch of tourists. I don't think a convention center is a bad idea, I just don't think we need it right now.

Author

katrina

Date

2004-10-16T08:45:28-06:00

ID

69419

Comment

I agree that Jackson needs a lot of other things than a convention center, but as someone said earlier, the decision we're asked to make isn't movie theater vs. convention center or new shops vs. convention center or revitalized downtown vs. convention center: it's convention center or nothing. Local government isn't really in the business of building movie theaters, and unfortunately, it can't revitalize downtown either; the private market determines these things. On the other hand, local government can make infrastructure improvements to serve as a catalyst for private development. A convention center downtown could serve as such a catalyst.

Author

Justin

Date

2004-10-18T10:04:29-06:00

ID

69420

Comment

it's convention center or nothing. I tend to agree with you, Justin. It's not as if the opposition is offering alternative, creative ways to make downtown more livable to residents. HOWEVER, I think it's imperative that the city do this right and offer thee answers to show that they are going to do it right. I want to see it along with a concrete plan about making downtown more inviting to artists, residents and small businesses. The time is now for us to demand this promise, in my view.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2004-10-18T11:05:12-06:00

ID

69421

Comment

Katrina: We need more businesses and residents downtown than tourists. What I think we should do is make all of downtown Jackson like Fondren. Fondren, as far as I can see at least, attracts a lot of people and that should be very good for businesses. Philip: I almost wish there was a way to make ALL of the city like Fondren. However, I can't see that happening to any city that's less creative class oriented than, say, Boston or San Francisco. Jackson simply does not yet have the critical mass of creative class types to turn ALL the city into Lower State Street. That means if efforts are spread too thin (geographically speaking), the "in your face" evidence of a Jackson creative class will be likewise thin. Best to concentrate all this in Fondren-Belhaven (for now, anyway). Besides, I actually fear the notion of turning ALL of a city into an "artsy/bohemian" part of town. San Francisco is the closest thing I've heard of to MOST of a city being such a place. Guess what's happening there? 500 sq ft apartments going for $2500 per month! Don't even dream of owning a 1500 sq foot home there! Ladd:HOWEVER, I think it's imperative that the city do this right and offer thee answers to show that they are going to do it right. Keeping the Center a good distance from Fondren and Belhaven would be a nice start. It could turn the neighborhood into yet another tourist trap - thereby choking off local authenticity.

Author

Philip

Date

2004-10-18T12:42:31-06:00

ID

69422

Comment

ladd: I completely agree that we can't look at the convention center in isolation: we must address comprehensively how to make downtown more inviting for businesses, residents and artists. It reminds me of what happened in Memphis when the Pyramid was built. Everyone thought that the Pyramid was going to spark a complete revitalization of the Pinch District and turn it into an entertainment destination, but because the city did not have a plan in place, all that developed around the Pyramid was a bunch of surface parking lots. I think that the city of Jackson realizes the importance of having a plan and captitalizing on public investment in the convention center. About a year ago, the city and Downtown Jackson Partners collaborated to fund a strategic plan for downtown. I'm not sure of the specifics, because I wasn't living here at the time, but I know there was a steering committee and public meetings involved. I don't know exactly when the plan is to be completed; a consulting firm is doing it. I have seen a draft of it though, and it addresses many of the things I think that you're concerned about. It proposes a future land use plan consisting of three neighborhoods downtown, each of which is centered on some major public investment, but also has a mix of residential, commercial and office development. From what I've seen, the plan is pretty good. Whenever this thing is finished, there should be a public hearing before the city council, and hopefully, it will be adopted and its recommendations codified in some way.

Author

Justin

Date

2004-10-18T13:08:39-06:00

ID

69423

Comment

I want to see it along with a concrete plan about making downtown more inviting to artists, residents and small businesses. The time is now for us to demand this promise, in my view. Demand a promise two weeks in advance of this vote? Please say you are kidding. Would you believe a promise if you received one? Could any leader in this city even make you a promise in light of our muni elections next year? If you haven't seen a plan so far what is there to lead you to believe that anything anyone backing the center would throw out there now was real? Using Mr. Bravo Jeff Good's own numbers, the convention center will cost (require in taxes) $84 million dollars over 20 years. The $61 million dollar price tag is played up to obscure the true cost. This referendum does not ask the voters of Jackson to choose from various proposals for the redevelopment of downtown and approve a tax to implement the winning plan. Far from it. The only question at hand is do we want to tax ourselves to construct this big ass building that will be unused far, far more than it is used. Those opposed to the convention center are not required to present alternatives for downtown redevelopment. That is not on the ballot. Approval of this convention center ties the people of Jackson to a monolithic inflexible strategy to downtown redevelopment -- and it is a real stretch to call this a strategy at all. If anything, the vote for this convention center demonstrates that there is no real plan to speak of to redevelop our downtown as the commitment of $84 million dollars over the next 20 years will dramatically restrict any further government financial participation in other redevelopment efforts. Further limiting government's ability of future help is our [still] rapidly eroding population/business base and the taxes they take with them as they flee the city. This convention center approach has proven a failure in numerous cities around our country where this wet dream of convention goers scurrying about trying to relieve the pain of their money-stuffed pockets was sold by pie-in-the-sky consultants as the next big mother lode of local tax revenues. Everybody else is doing it so get moving Jackson and jump onboard this gravy train. Tell me that if provided with an $84 million dollar budget the purveyors of the Jackson Free Press, the enlightened souls that they be, couldn't come up in a matter of minutes with a back-of-the-napkin proposal for downtown redevelopment that would deliver a greater good for Jackson citizens and businesses than this Let's Make a Deal to your new downtown big box stab-in-the-dark swag that we all know is based on archaic civic planning from a long gone era. I surely know I could.

Author

TC Stein

Date

2004-10-18T13:16:43-06:00

ID

69424

Comment

"What I think we should do is make all of downtown Jackson like Fondren. Fondren, as far as I can see at least, attracts a lot of people and that should be very good for businesses. If the rest of Jackson were like it, it would be one of the coolest cities in the South." "Keeping the Center a good distance from Fondren and Belhaven would be a nice start. It could turn the neighborhood into yet another tourist trap - thereby choking off local authenticity." But, neither of the two neighborhoods that were mentioned have a movie theatre. I was not suggesting that taxes should be used to erect one, but it does seem that a city as large as Jackson would have a place for its citizens to go to attend movies. "Jackson simply does not yet have the critical mass of creative class types to turn ALL the city into Lower State Street. " South State Street does not have a movie theatre either. It is mostly car dealerships.

Author

danfling

Date

2004-10-18T13:58:32-06:00