Jackson Free Press

Long a downtown eyesore and unpleasant reminder of Jackson's troubled past, the King Edward Hotel is re-opening tomorrow with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. A joint project of Jackson developer David Watkins' group, Watkins Partners, and Historic Renovation Incorporated of New Orleans, the six-year, $84 million renovation of the 300,000 square-foot historic building is complete, marking the end of a long and bumpy return to glory.

"The King Edward was either going to be a monument to our success, or it was going to be a testament to our failure," Watkins Partners investor Brad Franklin said. "Downtown's revitalization begins and ends with the King Edward. Not just because it's such a large structure but also because of the historical significance of the building."

Franklin, also a rapper under the name "Kamikaze" and a Jackson Free Press columnist, was the first African American to be served at the King Edward's renovated bar, a fact whose significance did not escape him.

"There was a time when this structure actually closed because white legislators and other people refused to change with the times," Franklin said. "Now this same hotel has a black guy that's a partner in ownership. There are going to be black guests, and there are going to be black folks staying in the apartments as well. It's just kind of a testament to the change in society and (the direction) that the city of Jackson and the state of Mississippi is going in."

Built in 1922, the current iteration of the hotel was a favorite watering hole for white state legislators and other dealmakers during the days of Prohibition and after. The hotel fell on hard times midway through the 1950s, and the King Edward remained segregated after other downtown hotels integrated. When it finally began admitting black guests, the hotel's remaining white patrons jumped ship, and in 1967, the King Edward closed its doors.

From 1967 to 2004, the building languished in a limbo of false starts and competing, unrealized plans, and pigeons and transients took up residence in the old rooms. In 2004, the Jackson Redevelopment Authority approved a redevelopment plan from HRI, New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister, Matt Bataille of Mandeville, La., and David Watkins.

That plan's original price tag of $35 million grew to $54 million and then upward of $80 million, thanks to production delays and rising costs in building materials. A hodge-podge of state funds, tax-increment financing from Hinds County, and federal Housing and Urban Development funds helped finance the renovations.

The project almost ran aground in 2005, when delays in the application for those HUD funds led then-Mayor Frank Melton to issue a public ultimatum: The King Edward investors had 30 days to deliver an application, or he would order the building's demolition. Melton later learned that the application was already in the city's hands, though, and dropped the demolition threat.

The renovated hotel will house a Hilton Garden Inn, with 186 rooms ready for occupancy beginning tomorrow. On the hotel's top floors, 64 luxury apartments are slated to open in January. A public grand opening gala is scheduled for Feb. 20.

With the King Edward complete, Watkins can now devote more time to his other downtown projects. Adjacent to the King Edward, the Farish Street Entertainment District is slated to open in late spring or early summer of 2010. Construction on the first block of clubs and restaurants is currently underway. Likewise, renovation of the Standard Life Building is scheduled to finish in December of 2010.

The King Edward is yet another step in a process that will transform downtown in the next three years, Franklin said.

"Folks told David six years ago that he was crazy for even wanting to be a part of this," Franklin said. "Those same people have to come back now and congratulate him and give him his props for being able to complete this project. It's a really good time for the city of Jackson."

Correction Dec. 17: The King Edward apartments have not all been leased. That information has been removed from the story.

Previous Comments

ID

154332

Comment

The place looks great from the outside. Gonna check out the bar tonight, can't wait. What's the parking situation?

Author

RobbieR

Date

2009-12-16T15:23:01-06:00

ID

154333

Comment

Ward, Thanks for the article and there is much excitement surrounding the Grand Opening of the King Edwards! One thing that is so obviously missing from your historical report is the role that Mayor Johnson played in preserving the once delapadated, pigeon fested building. I can't imagine melton's name being mentioned as a negative; yet, Johnson's name not being mentioned as a contributing positive. I have kept up with the political back and forth with the Edwards; however, I'm sure you understand that I am a member of a race of people whose history is mostly told by oration (one black person to another). Please help this community keep our stories accurate and inclusive of those people who also played an important role. Remember???? Just asking!

Author

justjess

Date

2009-12-16T15:46:47-06:00

ID

154335

Comment

Folks, ABC News has a story on the King Edward re-opening. Remember all the naysayers on this? I remember a finance chairman for Haley Barbour writing in the Ledger's big "Faces of Jackson" disaster that it wouldn't never happen. Take that.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-12-16T16:56:56-06:00

ID

154339

Comment

It looks really nice on the outside. I wanted to go inside, but felt a little intimidated by the suit-and-tie crowd inside. Seems like I would have to wear a tuxedo.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-12-16T20:37:08-06:00

ID

154347

Comment

Went in last night and had a drink. Very nice. Didn't see the whole lobby situation -- it was late and we wanted to make sure we could still grab a barstool -- but it was surreal to be inside and actually have a crowd (I guess folks from Hilton and HRI and one or two walk-ins are staying there already) at the bar, even at 11:00pm. They had some sweet HDTVs set to ESPN, too. ;-) Nice stuff, very plush.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-12-17T09:20:30-06:00

ID

154349

Comment

The folks who manage the apartments in the King Edward tell us they are not all leased. The Jackson Free Press apologize for the error and has corrected the story.

Author

Ronni_Mott

Date

2009-12-17T10:03:44-06:00

ID

154350

Comment

The hotel was great, from the friendly staff, safe parking garage, and moderately priced cocktails. It's just the first step, y'all. Donna, who cares what Haley's finance chairman said? I know plenty of Democrat staffers (current and past) that work and live in Jackson that were condemning this from the start, and that's their prerogative. But keep firing those shots to the other side. Eagle - Come on in next time, everybody's welcome, and the staff couldn't be nicer.

Author

RobbieR

Date

2009-12-17T10:12:12-06:00

ID

154353

Comment

We'll be back after work today. Everyone, join us. Let's pack 'em in. People are gathering about 6:30 p.m.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-12-17T10:25:10-06:00

ID

154359

Comment

Robbie, it's not about "shots to the other side." I don't have an "other side." I'm not a partisan. I believe it's important to point out that the naysayers were wrong -- not to lord it over them, but to make it clear to people that we should never listen to naysayers. In order to end the brain drain in Mississippi, our young people must know that just because some old coot says something can't happen until all the crime is gone doesn't mean it's means squat. That's my point. Lock and load. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-12-17T11:21:39-06:00

ID

154360

Comment

David Watkins and his crew have single-handedly (together) given downtown Jackson and our entire beloved Capital City a glimmer of hope and pride that we've simply been missing. I can't tell you how happy I am to be able to see this happen. I can't wait to take my mother in. It's not just a new, super tall, hotel building opening downtown. This is HISTORY coming to life. This is a white man slapping his racist ancestors in the face for what's right and just. I am proud to call Mr. Watkins a friend and happy that he has worked so hard for all these years and gets to see a part of his dream come to life. It brings tears to my eyes to think of how deep and meaningful this really is. WOW! Oh and I shall be there tonight as well. Hope they have mocktails!!!! STAND UP JACKSON....This is just the beginning.

Author

Queen601

Date

2009-12-17T11:24:14-06:00

ID

154361

Comment

I agree with your tribute to David, Queen. He makes progress happen. Cheers to him and everyone else who has made this happen. And as justjess pointed out yesterday, we are seriously remiss not to point out Mayor Johnson's role and vision in what is happening downtown. When I walked out the front door of the King Ed last night and looked toward the train depot and the viaducts, I breathed a sigh of relief that Johnson is back to be mayor when all this comes to fruition. So much of it started on his watch. Doesn't mean he did it all, but he knew that good things don't happen overnight and laid much groundwork for today's progress. And the community that we have seen come together in the last several years and demand progress gets huge kudos as well. We believed, and it happened. There it is.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-12-17T11:30:51-06:00

ID

154363

Comment

thank goodness for edit; too much to get into today..... yeah kudos to all who contributed to KE.

Author

Queen601

Date

2009-12-17T11:41:16-06:00

ID

154370

Comment

David Watkins said it best this morning (not word for word): To everyone here and all who couldn't make it - you all supported this project and therefore hold a part of the ownership of it. Without you, this would not have been possible. Thank you for giving a second chance to a much deserved piece of the city - this is only the beginning of a brighter future for Jackson.

Author

chip

Date

2009-12-17T14:20:51-06:00

ID

154378

Comment

your photos are fantastic. I have forwarded many of them to the folks over here at Intercontinental and they are impressed. Hope the job gets published in a major publication, as it should be. Good Stuff. Also, this is a major and very important historical renovation for the country. That Ballroom is going to see some very important stuff over the next Hundred years. and Donna, yes. Johnson is where he should be (city hall) and I know he's proud. As he should be. Imagine what's coming...... Mr. Watkins and team, get some well deserved rest this Happy Happy Holiday. This project gets an A+ squared infinity.

Author

atlntaexile

Date

2009-12-17T17:38:15-06:00

ID

154380

Comment

It is beautiful. I cannot wait to see it in person! I wonder what kind of New Year's Eve plans they will have? I was just thinking it'd be fun to stay there that night. Also, I can't wait to take my daddy to see it. He hasn't been in there since he was a little boy. :)

Author

andi

Date

2009-12-17T23:06:15-06:00

ID

154385

Comment

I popped my head in there last night. While a bit swanky for my tastes, it is indeed a very beautiful building and I hope that a new legacy will far outlive the old one. As I walked out of the Capitol Street side of the hotel, I saw the Watkins Development banner hanging up on the building across the street. Looks like it had a fresh paint of coat on it. I'm excited for downtown and for my hometown in general. It's only a start; only a start.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-12-18T14:34:33-06:00