Jackson Free Press

Just got through reading today's article on Farish. I actually agree with Melton that this project has taken entirely too long. But whose fault is it? It simply can't be all on Performa. Too many projects in Jackson take ENTIRELY too long to be finished. Not just this one.

The Farish Street project was announced in '98 or '99 and the infrastructure was just completed in early '04 after beginning in '03 (I believe). 4 or 5 years just to get bricks laid and new water pipes? That's absurd! And probably equally absurd is saying it will be 2008 before the new convention center is completed (and that's assuming it bucks the trend of recent projects and actually finishes on schedule). How on earth could it take 3 years to build that thing? It seems to me that having it completed in a single WHOLE year would be a result of feet dragging.

I don't trust Melton any farther than I can throw him. But, he's definitely right that this project has taken way, way, way too long. More than anything, though, I wish he would exert more energy on finding out why projects take so long to be completed instead of making idle threats about firing Performa. But, this man is a walking, talking idle threat so that's probably expecting too much.

Previous Commentsshow

Millhouse, thanks for posting this. I'm commenting on it to bring it to the front page to get others to chime in on it. Here's the link to the article, and an excerpt: Still, Jackson Mayor Frank Melton wants to see a little less conversation and more action on Performa's part. He offered an ultimatum to the company ó finish the job soon or take a hike. "We've been sitting here for 40 days without rain and there's nothing keeping them from getting them over there and making progress," Melton said. "Their performance is pathetic and I'm flat out getting sick of it." Elkington would not respond to Melton's comments, but suggested Melton visit the district and see recent progress for himself. Scrutiny from local politicians is one hurdle Performa faces as it moves forward with the renovation. Elkington is quick to emphasize that Farish Street presents a different set of challenges to his team than downtown Memphis. Them are some strong words from Mr. Melton. Thoughts?

DonnaLadd

Nov 3 2005

I'm also moving this posting to the brand, spanking new Frank Melton blog.

DonnaLadd

Nov 3 2005

It does seem like this stuff takes a long time, although I think you also need to see that there is zoning, property acquisition, court battles, historic society regulation -- a TON of stuff that happens in a situation like either Farish Street or the convention center. More than anything, though, I wish he would exert more energy on finding out why projects take so long to be completed instead of making idle threats about firing Performa. Yes, that would be interesting, wouldn't it? Actually, I think that Harvey Johnson's administration was a little weak in this area, too, in terms of effectively communicating where the plan stands and what the timeline is. But Frank doesn't even give the impression that he *wants* to know. And I can't imagine that creating an adversarial relationship in the press with Performa is a good long-term strategy for the city.

Todd Stauffer

Nov 3 2005

One does wonder if Mr. Melton bothered to *ask* Performa before he bashed them in his favorite PR print outlet. Elkington's response is interesting -- the implication seems to be that the mayor hasn't bothered to come over and talk to them. I'm not saying they're perfect, but it seems amazing to just outright bash them like that in a way that could hurt their business and reputation. We don't need another lawsuit on our hands that the taxpayers will need to ante up for on behalf of Mr. Melton. He's using his old Bottom Line tactics. But if you go back and read those things, you'll find that he didn't always bother to factcheck or figure out if what he was calling for past chiefs and mayors to do was legal. He just screamed "pathetic," and people cheered him, I guess. But now his mouth is the citizens' responsibilityónot WLBT's.

DonnaLadd

Nov 3 2005

Here's the link. Personally, I don't want Farish Street to be a Beale Street clone. I can count the number of times I've enjoyed Beale Street (not factoring in the company I've been with, which I always enjoy) on one hand...with no fingers. I've always found Beale Street to be a bunch of flavorless bars with little character. So many of them look and feel the same and I just don't like that. I don't like paying $7 for a bad beer at anytime, but it's especially bad when the atmosphere sucks. I guess time will tell what the atmosphere is like on Farish Street. So far, it seems that the spots have been filled out pretty evenly between chains and local spots and eating establishments and places to let your hair down. I'm pretty pumped that Doe's is opening up a spot here...first I've heard of that! It's a Mississippi institution, as was (is) the Iron Horse. It's places like these that can give Farish a local flavor, which is what I think Performa wants.

millhouse

Nov 3 2005

Personally, I don't want Farish Street to be a Beale Street clone. I don't, either, millhouse. One of the few things that I heard Mr. Melton say during his campaign that made sense to me was when he said that Farish Street *must* have locally owned businesses. A bunch of chains is only so interesting. And we need black-owned businesses there -- unlike Beale for the most part. And it is vital that the history of Farish be preserved. If you missed it back then, read Scott Barretta's wonderful JFP cover story on Farish Street's history, from February 2004.

DonnaLadd

Nov 3 2005

Sorry, y'all... I intended to post the link in a seperate thread to bring it to the front page but got sidetracked. Now there's 3 links to the article. lol! "I think that Harvey Johnson's administration was a little weak in this area, too, in terms of effectively communicating where the plan stands and what the timeline is." No doubt. But, it seems that the office of the mayor still has to stand in line behind plenty of red tape no matter who's running the show.

millhouse

Nov 3 2005

Let's not forget that the Farish Street Project is not just a city project. From what I understand, the Mississippi Development Authority has a role, the Historic Preservation Commission has a role and I'm sure a couple of others. I doubt Melton knows the complexities of what has happened regarding this project or what needs to happen. I think it has taken to long to get to this point, even, but when you have more than one government agency (city, county, state, etc.) working on a massive project you usually do find roadblocks. Has anyone questioned the other agencies????

thabian

Nov 3 2005

Yeah, I'll have to agree with thabian on this one. I think Farish St became problematic to the groups who began the project due to the overall condition of the infrastructure that was in place before they fixed it up. Weren't many of the buildings almost at the point of falling down? In fact, one did fall almost killing a construction worker (sorry the Ledge makes you pay for those articles). It appeared they were also replacing several pipe lines all the way down to the end of Farish going towards the YMCA. So, though it may appear like bricks and waterlines to you, I'm sure they had to organize Entergy, BellSouth, Public Works, Fire, Police, JRA, the History folks, etc. just to break gound down there everyday. Sucks - but true with most any project that is done in the public sector. Melton is a private business kind of guy, so public pace may not be for him. Add to that the task of not only convincing businesses to build there; but, that they will have to do so in buildings that need MAJOR renovation is hard. The past adminstration had all/most of these businesses locked in before Melton or Heidel. Maybe the change in adminstrations has a big part in the way everything is at a stand still or progressing slower then before? Though no one wanted anyone to believe it, Jackson was gathering steam up until June. Noticed there hasn't been a "News" update on the city site since April! And one last point, I get the feeling that anything the JRA is involved with the Mayor seems to have issues with in some way? Is it just me? The King Edward? Wasn't JRA one of the "Boards" that kept getting called out when he wanted them all to resign?

pikersam

Nov 3 2005

Can y'all tell me how to get information on Proforma?

Marc

Nov 6 2005

What kind of info? You can Google them, but note that the spelling is "Performa."

DonnaLadd

Nov 7 2005

well the spelling helps. no, i am wondering a great deal about the firm... where it's based, what is the size of the firm, ect.

Marc

Nov 7 2005

Performa is based out of Memphis. They are the real estate company that brought back Beale Street. Here is an excerpt from the Beale Street website. The John Elkington they mention is the president of Performa Entertainment Real Estate, the company doing Farish Street. " The redevelopment of Beale Street is considered a catalyst in downtown Memphisí rebirth. In the late 1970's the City of Memphis bought nearly all of the properties along three blocks of Beale Street, and the Beale Street Management Corporation was formed with the charge of creating an entertainment district. In 1982, John Elkington and his company became involved in the redevelopment of Beale Street. Their primary responsibility was to focus on the marketing, leasing and property management of Beale Street in addition to developing the entertainment theme through the selection of tenants. In 1983, the first club reopened on Beale, and one by one, clubs and businesses moved into renovated spaces, producing the most vibrant streetscape and activity center in downtown Memphis and the Mid-South. What was once all vacant property has turned into one of the hottest entertainment districts in the country. Over the past 20 years, the street has gone from the epitome of urban decay to the number one tourist attraction in the State of Tennessee. Beale Street is one of the best examples of a public/private partnership." The website is: www.bealestreet.com

thabian

Nov 7 2005

Good quotes there thabian. Let's not forget that Beale St was not "as happening" as it is now. Back in the 80's until about 1991, they only had a few clubs (Rumboogie!! - No B.B. King) and shops; it was still a bit rundown with many store fronts empty or not built yet. About the only time it was crowded was the weekend or if a big group was in town. You didn't have the downtown retail or redevelopment either. It was very unsafe just to go from the Peabody to Beale St late at night. So, if clubs and shops began moving in 1982, it still took over 10 years before the street started becoming the thriving downtown center it is now. Just a reminder as we watch this development get off the ground

pikersam

Nov 7 2005

In other news, The Subway Lounge is making a comeback on Farish! Eric Stringfellow had an article many months ago stating that he hoped they would relocate to Farish if they had to tear the Summers Hotel down. Looks like somebody was listening. It may not be the same as the old one, but to have it back in its own place will be great. Props to Jay Schimmel for keeping it going at his place in the meantime. I'm getting awfully giddy about Farish... if everybody opens there that's been reported, it shouldn't take much time at all for the area to take off. Having access to legendary places like Doe's, the Iron Horse, the Mayflower and the Elite within a few blocks for dinner is gonna be out of this world. Not to mention the new, unestablished places that are opening. And, then being close to several places that you can let you hair down afterwards. Awesome. The King Edward needs to hurry up and pretty herself up... ;-)

millhouse

Nov 11 2005