Jackson Free Press

Read the master plan Powerpoint. (PDF, 1.6 MB)

Jackson developer David Watkins' plans to rent a portion of Metrocenter Mall to the Jackson Public Schools district is part of a "Metro Master Plan" that could include an arts plaza and performance space for the district and a complete renovation of the mall.

The three- to seven-year plan includes the development of residential housing around the mall, a hotel, entertainment venues and a "water feature," which could mean to anything from a water slide to a fountain. Watkins did not offer specifics on the water feature on Tuesday.

Watkins, who is in the final stages of purchasing the former Belk department store at the mall, told JPS board members last night that the district stands to make about $360,000 in new revenue generated if the district decides to move its administrative operations into Metrocenter.

"At the end of the day, they'll end up making $500,000 over a year. They do that over a period of 10 years, and you're talking about some serious money," said Watkins, who is also the developer of the recent King Edward Hotel renovation and the Farish Street Entertainment District.

Watkins said he wanted to rent the space to the district for at an undisclosed "low cost" and a possible 20-year lease and an option to buy, providing JPS accepts the offer.

The district has considered several other location options to move offices but Watkins pitched the second level of the empty department store saying the building's 120,000-square feet can accommodate JPS and allow room for growth.

Developers and planners for the mall include Socrates Garrett of Garrett Enterprises and Roy Decker of Duvall Decker Architects, P.A.. The presentation reports that the JPS relocation will immediately stop tax-base erosion in and around the mall, and "inject (the) mall with (an) increased daily headcount of 600 to 1,000 potential shoppers," according to Watkins' PowerPoint presentation to the board. Another aspect of the mall's rejuvenation plan includes returning the mall's Dillard's property to retail and adding some form of movie theater, though Watkins would not specify the size of the theater.

"There's a time when the district has to invest in its own future, when our superintendent and leaders have to decide how to best to that, by putting the mall back on the tax roll," Garrett said at the meeting. "You've got to reinvest in yourself. Nobody's going to come in and do it. You've got to do it in your own local community."

"These types of major renovations are possible, but we need more time to understand," school board member Otha Burton said in response to the presentation tonight. 


Watkins and school board members agreed to schedule further meetings to discuss the plan's details.

Previous Commentsshow

David Watkins is the prime example of a man that wants to see this city return to it's "Glory" days. I applaud people like him that have the revenue and the resources to make a difference... and actually use them to better the city they cherish & love instead of moving to Madison like so many people tend to do. It's easy to follow (other people out of the city) but it's hard to lead (people into the city). Hats off to David Watkins.

kinglewie

Jul 21 2010

this sounds very interesting. i know it's in the planning stages, but we need a few more details, like what are the plans for working with local community organizations and residents to ensure that the area doesn't become run-down again in 20 yrs? there has to be a comprehensive development plan for that area that includes not only economic, but community development as well. it's the city's responsibility to present that to us. this plan from DW looks promising, though...

eyerah

Jul 21 2010

I'm very confused about this JPS thing. If JPS owns the buildings and land where they know have offices, what is the advantage of them selling their buildings and land and moving into someone else's building and paying rent? Maybe I am slow but something about this does not smell right to me. It appears the tax payers of Jackson are being asked to subsidize the renovation of the Metrocenter Mall area. If JPS administration wants to move to the Metrocenter why don't they move into the old Dillards building which the city already owns? Like I said maybe I am slow but I can not see how this idea helps the JPS or the taxpayers of Jackson.

wellington

Jul 21 2010

I saw a conceptual drawing of David Watkins' new Metrocenter plans on WAPT earlier tonight. It looks really nice. Having a wave pool inside would be neat!

golden eagle

Jul 21 2010

Wellington, very good questions. Time constraints have kept us from being able to fully explain our proposal, which, quite honestly, is fairly complex. 1. We are getting Belk at a below market price and are passing the savings on to JPS in such a way that it will be more economical for them to rent than to use their existing property. The net "cost of ownership" to JPS for the lease will be significantly less than current ownership structures. 2. The current JPS property is substandard, and perhaps even hazardous. There is an enormous price tag ($8 million plus) to repair to "acceptable" standards for office space. 3. the bottom line is that this proposal will SAVE the district millions of dollars over the years. 4. In addition to the administrative cost savings and the enhanced efficiencies form the new facility, the district will eventually realize new revenues from (a) development of current downtown properties (taxes and income) and (b) increased taxes resulting from increased values at Metrocenter. In short, this is a win-win for the District. David Watkins CEO, Watkins Development, LLC

Pops

Jul 21 2010

PoPs is brown bottling considering moving into the metrocenter too, why are they mentioned in the proposal.

NewJackson

Jul 22 2010

NewJack, JPS already owns the old Brown Bottling building so we're looking at that as an option for consolidating the warehousing and service functions of the district. Those functions will NOT be moved to the Belk Building at Metrocenter.

Pops

Jul 23 2010