Jackson Free Press

MPI Center Chief Executive Officer Mike Smith said he wants to move forward on plans to convert the site of the old Hood Furniture factory off Livingston Road in Jackson to mixed-use residential and commercial property.

In 2008, MPI Center LLC, of Starkville, and Southern Consultants Inc. President Susan Lunardini attempted to turn the factory site into a 72-acre $75 million Livingston Village—a project containing condominiums, single family homes ranging in price from $125,000 to $175,000, a job training center, a daycare and retail and office space.

"We're still going along the same lines," Smith told the Jackson Free Press. "We may have to make some modifications to make it economically feasible, but the general concept is still to have a multi-use development there. It's similar to the project they have out at Jackson State (University), where they have residential property above commercial property."

Smith could not say if the company was now reaching for multiple buildings or a single building to occupy the spot. Lunardini is not affiliated with MPI's current effort.

The Jackson City Council found the prospect appealing in 2007. Smith and former MPI Center employee Carl Allen managed to convince the Jackson City Council to re-zone the area from industrial to multi-use construction after a contentious battle with Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes. Stokes claimed local schools could not support the new residential population—despite the assurance of the Jackson Public Schools Board that schools had the resources to accommodate the population increase. Stokes denied critics' claims that he feared a new voting population could vote him out of office.

The three-month debate over re-zoning the property slowed progress, however, and Smith admits funding finally fell through when the economy collapsed in 2008.

"The financial situation has been so bad, we haven't made any progress, but we have had some interest in trying to move ahead with the project, and we're trying to make sure we've got all our ducks lined up," Smith said. "Right now, it's tough, but we do have some partners who are interested in trying to make it happen."

Before the project crumpled, Smith said it qualified for federal Go-Zone money and had a $22 million allocation from the Mississippi Business Finance Corp. That funding has since expired, but Smith said it could still potentially qualify for that money if the company re-applies for it.

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority favors development of any kind in the area. It unanimously supported a motion last Wednesday, June 2, recommending that the Jackson Medical Mall Urban Renewal Area be expanded to encompass the Hood Furniture factory site, at the behest of Jackson Medical Mall Foundation members.

"We've been approached by (Jackson Medical Mall Foundation Board Chairman) Dr. Aaron Shirley about what can be done with the former Hood Furniture plant," JRA member Jason Brookins told the board at its monthly meeting last week. "What we need to do, if we're going to have an impact in the area north of the Medical Mall, is we need to expand the Medical Mall Urban Renewal Area."

Smith said the project is virtually back to square one, but he remains optimistic.

"In order to get the project financed, we have got to have strong support from the city," Smith said. "This project will not get off the ground without strong support from the mayor and the city council, and that's why we're working so closely with (Jackson Medical Mall Foundation Executive Director) Primus Wheeler and the Medical Mall Foundation. They've been our strongest supporter since we came there."

Wheeler could not be reached for comment.

MPI is facing an uphill battle in the endeavor, despite an improving economy. The company filed bankruptcy last year, and Southern Consultants, according to Lunardini, has a lien on the property due to MPI's unpaid bills to her company. Lunardini added, however, that she still backed the effort to build a "new urbanism" type development in the area consisting of residential and commercial property all within walking distance of one another.

"The location is great. You're right on Woodrow Wilson, with a straight shot to Interstate 55," Lunardini said. "It could have been a great project, and it might still be one someday. Mississippi Industries for the Blind is going in over there somewhere at some point, and the housing need for the Medical Mall is well documented. That's the only school for public health in the state. The Five-Points area of Jackson could anchor redevelopment for the whole city, and it certainly has my full applause for anybody who can help upgrade the tax base in the area."