Jackson Free Press

Mississippi Headhunters team owner Greg Disotell got the go-ahead from the Jackson City Council Tuesday to begin pooling $40 million for the construction of an enclosed sports arena to host minor-league football, as well as other entertainment events.

The 5-0 council vote begins the process that could lead to the demolition of the Smith-Wills Stadium and the construction of the arena by January 2008. Ward 2 Councilman Leslie McLemore and Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon were not present for the vote.

Council President Marshand Crisler said the deal looked harmless so far.

"The owners have got to prove themselves worth $40 million. That's what it comes down to," Crisler said. "Ultimately, today we just got to allow them to have the land to do it."

"This was a good deal," said an ecstatic Ward 1 Councilman Ben Allen. "They covered every base in this deal."

If Disotell can prove that he can gather $40 million by Oct. 1, the council will issue about $5 million in bonds—to be repaid by Disotell through property taxes—to demolish the old stadium and help with some of the construction costs of the new stadium.

"I'm sitting here looking at the investor (Disotell), and if he hasn't got $40 million by Oct. 1, we ain't got a deal, but he's got the money," Allen said.

Disotell, who said he was expecting at least four votes in his favor at the 3 p.m. special meeting, said he was "pleasantly surprised by the vote."

"We had to get past today's city council meeting and get the documents for my institutions that are going to loan the money," he said. "This is like going to a bank, saying you want to build a house and the bank wants to know where your lot is. We had to make sure we had the lease, and that's what transpired today."

Disotell said he plans to have his team playing in the new arena by March 2008.

Previous Comments

ID

66316

Comment

Good, maybe this will enhance our chances of being competetive and getting world, national, and highly sough after entertainment of all types into this city.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-25T13:40:50-06:00

ID

66317

Comment

Did everybody see this Hattiesburg-American story about the arena developer?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-29T16:54:35-06:00

ID

66318

Comment

(You know, it's remarkable how much better the Hattieburg paper's Web site is than the Ledge's, considering it's also owned by Gannett. That one, at least, looks like a big-city site.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-29T16:55:57-06:00

ID

66319

Comment

I saw a clip on tv about this developer Disotell. I have grave concerns about his character. It's not that you go looking for dirt on anyone, but when you are talking about something as big and important as a sports arena, we need to know both sides of the investor. I would not expect Disotell to tell us about his shortcomings. But we need a well rounded view of this person. Better now than after it's too late. You're absolutely right Ladd, the Hattiesburg web site makes the CL look like kids trying to be adults.

Author

lance

Date

2006-05-30T07:33:00-06:00

ID

66320

Comment

maybe an NFL is closer than I think...get the moneymen in!

Author

JSU

Date

2006-05-30T08:15:40-06:00

ID

66321

Comment

maybe an NFL is closer than I think...get the moneymen in!

Author

JSU

Date

2006-05-30T08:16:19-06:00