Jackson Free Press

David Watkins is an attorney who's been haunting the city of Jackson for the last half-century. Though the Fondren resident has been all over the world, he says he always had to keep coming back to Jackson. "This is home. I've spent a lot of time in Europe. I love California and New York and Washington. I've lived in Cape Cod and Atlanta, but those heartstrings keep tugging away."

Watkins said he'd intended to leave in the '60s and never come back because the city was having a tough time "for a lot of reasons."

The Millsaps graduate went to Ole Miss School of Law and now represents clients like Jackson Public Schools, occasionally helping to broker real estate deals between the district and local developers.

Watkins does more than just dabble in real estate. He's one of the main personalities behind recent endeavors to renovate the crumbling King Edward Hotel. Working with New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister and HRI Inc. of New Orleans, Watkins has battled paper snags in the Jackson Redevelopment Authority, reticent land-owners, faltering federal loans, inclement weather, general lack of faith from the public and a mayor threatening to implode the old hotel.

Though HRI is a big backer of the project, don't be fooled. It's Watkins and McAllister who have taken the real shin-kicks in every little setback. Watkins said the delays may have gouged some of the profit off the original endeavor, but said he hopes to recoup any losses through new development that the revitalized King Edward will hopefully spark.

"We knew we were not going to make a lot of money on the King Edward because it has such challenges, but we knew it would open up other opportunities for development in the area that might be more lucrative," Watkins said, adding that he's eying development of the neighboring Standard Life Building, currently housing JPD administration, and a second building across Pearl Street, which temporarily holds city traffic court offices.

Watkins said bringing new life to the King Edward is less a battle of priorities and more a battle against the symbol of decay.

"Some of us believe very strongly that the King Edward being in shambles is a symbol of the deterioration of the city. The best way to change that image is to actually redo the King Edward and revitalize it," Watkins said.

Watkins has two sons and two grandchildren. He says he's basically rebuilding the King Edward for them. "I want them to be able to say 'my granddaddy helped do that.' … I just want my family to know that I had a part in making this a better place for them to want to come back home to," he says.

Previous Commentsshow

While reading this about David Watkins (Pops) it reminded me a fellow over here in ATL who actually got the ball rolling in the late 1970's in Downtown. A local fellow who had a vision. His name was John Portman (Architect/Developer).......once he got his dream made real....many joined his vision and the rest is history. This is going to be the genesis of a new era for Jackson. This summer is like a big "kickoff" for you guys. Your Convention Center breaks ground on Monday, your Museum is underway, and The King Edward will begin to open it's sleepy eyes...

ATLExile

Jun 11 2006

Downtown Jackson is on the cusp of something big. The King Edward is jusy a part of what is happening in the big picture. It may have taken a while for a resurgence to happen, but it is happening indeed.

tombarnes

Jun 11 2006

Agreed. It's people like David who save us from the naysayers. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Jackson has never had "glory years"—when its riches were available to everyone. That time is ahead of us, and people like David will help us get there. He's one cool daddy (and granddaddy). ;-)

DonnaLadd

Jun 11 2006

www.itsdowntown.com those new PDF links are the bomb..........how magnificent.

ATLExile

Jun 12 2006

Thanks for posting that! That really starts to give a face to these projects that we read about. It sounds like the Old Capitol Green project is wasting no time! I like that.

millhouse

Jun 12 2006

what's this in the CL this morning?...FM will talk to a "Billionaire Developer"????? Why would they throw this kind of "off the cuff" stuff into a newspaper article? It sounds like all of the little and big pieces are already in place now.

ATLExile

Jun 13 2006

Why, Oh Why, would anyone want to switch horses now? Just doesn't make good sense for Jackson. Perhaps it makes good 'cents' for someone!

ChrisCavanaugh

Jun 13 2006

***what's this in the CL this morning?...FM will talk to a "Billionaire Developer"????? Why would they throw this kind of "off the cuff" stuff into a newspaper article? It sounds like all of the little and big pieces are already in place now. *** <--- Chris Cavanaugh So true, Chris. You'd thing the CL would have learned by now that they can't assume that Melton's every utterance is the gospel truth. Fact is, he's shown us too many times that he'll say anything that sounds good at the moment and he'll take it back the next. Whatever happened to the "$1.2 billion" in development he said he's responsible for? At this point, the only thing about Frank Melton that will surprise me is if he should, just once, tell the truth!

Kacy

Jun 13 2006

This is a rehash of what he told us in his interviews. The billionaire is Gene Phillips. Read Adam's piece about this here.

DonnaLadd

Jun 13 2006

yes I understand now......anything to grab a headline.....thank you all. Whew........

ATLExile

Jun 13 2006

OK, Donna...thanks for the refresher; I do remember reading it, and I recall wondering then if the City really should do business with someone with such questionable business dealings.

Kacy

Jun 13 2006

"Why would they throw this kind of "off the cuff" stuff into a newspaper article? " When a city's mayor says something like this in front of media it's gonna get printed. I think that Meltdown was just being Meltdown - talking to hear himself talk. I still chuckle over how the egomaniac dared to say that Hurricane Katrina made him see the light about the King Ed and that he would spare it. Mind you, this right around the time that he all but admitted that his threats were idle and that he was just "raising hell to get things done". He was bluffing, and then foolishly showed his hand. He has no authority to do this by himself. None. It would require the majority of a council vote. I certainly don't think this council would stab HRI and everybody else involved in the back. Especially since the man's credibility is probably lower than it's ever been. He doesn't even have a legit point about the grant, anyway. Just keep your fingers crossed that the structure is still in viable condition. That's pretty much the only worry. The developers seem confident that it is. I also just noticed that they added another .PDF on the aforementioned site. 2004 Downtown Plan Summary. Some of it's outdated - they still show the Children's Museum being next to the Convention Center - but it is very interesting. This one's about getting back to the original plan that Van Dorn had for Jackson.

millhouse

Jun 13 2006

where is the childrens museum going to be located.

WILLman

Jun 14 2006

Close to where the Museum of Natural Science is in LeFleur's Bluff State Park.

millhouse

Jun 14 2006

Dear Mr. W. I'm a huge fan of yours and of what you're trying to do for this city. But, why don't you come out swinging at the mayor when we all know (or at least should know) that he's full of shit. He's getting away with murder claiming that YOU guys are the reason for the delays and that you are asking for a bunch of public money, (which anybody who's read the news knows that it's a LOAN, and not even a loan from the City). Come on dude, get mad. Or, perhaps madder. Perhaps you could even ask the National Guard to help. My guess is that they would be more likely to help you than Melton anyhow. Quit being Mr. Nice guy . . . don't you know nice guys come in last. Seriously, some us of are so frustrated with the Mayor and with the traditional media outlets for their flimsly reporting on the King Edward saga of the last few years, that we want more. So, start fighting back. Those of us who love the King Eddie and have been watching the trials and tribulations you have faced with the City for the last few years appreciate what you're doing and want to see you succeed. So, hang in there.

FriendsofJackson

Jun 19 2006

Thanks for the compliment, I guess. Actually, I am kind of mad, though mainly frustrated. Nevertheless, it's important for us to stay focused and not use up our energy on things that, in the end, are not relevant. My momma has always told me to have patience and perseverance. As I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate these traits a bit more, though they are still hard to master. It's been a long time coming (3 years for OUR team; 39 since the building has been vacant.) But, we now have a final contract with the JRA (endorsed by the City Council on a 6-1 vote), a development plan and timetable, and the financial backing necessary to rebuild the Kind Edward. We're working on contractor issues this week and plan to be on site by August 1st. Our projected construction schedule calls for a completed project by mid-2008, if not sooner. Hang in there with me and don't let the unnecessary chatter distract you from what is actually happening. After all these years, we're finally there. David Watkins Watkins Partners

Pops

Jun 28 2006

David (& Bloggers), as you told us earlier....the King Eddy is "heavy lifting". It will all be fine, and it will all work out. I think the wisest thing to have done is to have gone to the State for the loan. I don't know who engineeered that deal but it seems the state is going to have to get more and more involved in DT to make things work, indeed in the whole city. It is the Capital after all and based on it's growth one of the rising stars of the region. The image and reputation of the city of Jackson is paramount to the overall success and future of the state. It is going to take time to get her back on her feet but it will happen. I was in Jackson on Business last week and was able to see the viaduct construction. I was much impressed. I have always thought that Canizaro Cawthon and Davis were three very talented architects who know historical context better than anyone else in town. It shows at "viaduct". However it cannot be emphasized enough that without the "King" all of that effort down there will seem hollow.

ATLExile

Jun 28 2006

David: I've heard that the marble lobby's been ripped out by vandals. Can you tell us what the building is like now? I've been dying to sneak in for decades now, I just lack guts. :D

Ironghost

Jun 28 2006

The marble has either been removed or is too damaged to salvage. Unfortunately, that is the case with the entire inside of the building. There is virtually nothing - make that absolutely nothing - inside the building that will be usable. If you want to see interior photos of the building as it is today, you can go to the following website. Just remember, it's pretty painful to view. http://community.webshots.com/album/205763315CFhKqO

Pops

Jul 19 2006

Just remember, it's pretty painful to view. I've seen as "Bad" and a little worse. Nothing like a clean slate to start with! Once cleaned out it will have "form" again.

ATLExile

Jul 19 2006

The pics on the Clarion Gallery this am are amazing. What a Home Run.

atlntaexile

Nov 10 2009