Jackson Free Press

The Clarion Ledger has a story about the recommendations from a recent study of the Veterans Memorial Stadium which suggests that we should build a new stadium.

Before this gets off the ground, I want to squash this idea from the get go. We need new schools and new roads before we even think about a new stadium.

Previous Comments

ID

130632

Comment

According to the CL story, Veterans Memorial Stadium needs about $150 million worth of renovation to be "useful for 15-20 years." A new stadium would cost, on the upper end, $156 million and be "useful for more than 40 years." If the numbers are correct, a new stadium would actually free up tax money for "new schools and new roads" in the long run. Personally, I don't like the idea of using any tax money to pay for or renovate a stadium in Jackson. I would like to see money spent on more critical infrastructure, rather than a project that would provide temporary and low-paying jobs at best. I don't understand why the city is responsible for a sports stadium. Shouldn't a stadium be a project for the private sector?

Author

Brad H.

Date

2008-06-09T08:43:44-06:00

ID

130634

Comment

I thought the state owned the stadium not the city of Jackson. I don't think Jackson has ever put money into it, has it?

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-06-09T09:49:39-06:00

ID

130638

Comment

This is a state issue, not a city issue. The idea has been floated about for building a stadium at JSU, then tear down the Vet and make way for a research park, since it's so close to UMC. I think that would be a great idea that would create some really good jobs, something this city and state desperately need.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-06-09T12:09:00-06:00

ID

130681

Comment

There are many issues here, some actually laced with fact and some with emotion. Here is my two cents worth: 1. the present stadium is shamefully outdated and unsafe and needs to be replaced . . . period. The primary issue is simple economics. 2. JSU does need its own stadium just as all of the other universities in Miss have their own. It would be better, safer, and more efficient if a new stadium were built on or adjacent to JSU 3. The state should bear the burden of the cost of the "basic" stadium (just like it has for all of the others in the state); any frills (sky boxes, etc) should come from revenue bonds from ticket sales or from private donations or a combination of the two. 4. a 40,000 seat stadium with a growth path to 65,000 in the future is reasonable; if the demand is there for more than 40,000, then additional revenues would be generated that could help pay for stadium expansions. 5. the present stadium property has a much higher and better use, from a simple economics and development standpoint, as part of the UMMC medical research park. The $1 billion anticipated growth of UMMC projects and facilities over the next decade offers a massive economic engine for the City AND for the state that will generate new jobs, new taxes, enhanced property values and economic prosperity to many, many citizens in the area that presently are underemployed. 6. a "downtown" football stadium will only help the ongoing economic boom of downtown jackson and, at the same time, be mutually beneficial for JSU. The hotel, parking, restaurant, retail and entertainment amenities that are being developed right now will make the JSU stadium potentially more vibrant and create additional multiple uses of the stadium for other entertainment options. In short, the economics of the equation, in my view, tilt for a new JSU stadium near the campus.

Author

Pops

Date

2008-06-10T09:35:48-06:00

ID

130717

Comment

Amen, Pops.

Author

LKL

Date

2008-06-10T19:31:31-06:00

ID

130720

Comment

Sometimes, I wonder if people opposed who are opposed to a new stadium for JSU are doing so because it could benefit Jackson or even racially-motivated. The state has a way of turning its back on the capitol city.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-06-10T22:35:44-06:00

ID

130721

Comment

golden eagle - what do you mean racially motivated? i would think that spending the money on schools or endowing JSU for more expanded student scholarships might actually help Jackson more than wasting money on a stadium.

Author

John Sawyer

Date

2008-06-11T07:42:08-06:00