Jackson Free Press

Watkins Development will update city of Jackson officials this morning on the progress of the Farish Street Entertainment district.

The presentation, which includes a tour of Farish Street, comes after Jackson City Council members voted for the Jackson Redevelopment Authority to conduct an audit of the Farish Street Entertainment last month. Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and JRA board members are expected to attend this morning's presentation.

Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes introduced the item, saying he wanted to determine how Jackson Redevelopment Authority, a quasi-governmental entity that owns the majority of the property in the entertainment district, is assisting the development. He acknowledged that the audit was a symbolic gesture to express his frustration with the development's lack of progress.

Developer David Watkins said in September that 15 clubs and restaurants would occupy the first block of the district when complete. He hopes that the majority of the clubs will open in 2012. Earlier this year, B.B. King Blues Club and accompanying Itta Bena Room, a fine-dining restaurant, signed a lease, making that venture official. Since then, the district has signed leases with Al Stamps (former owner of Cool Al's), Zac Harmon's Blues Club, a sports bar and a cigar lounge. B.B. King's is expected to open in December.