Ben Allen on SS930 is having a great interview...
- Thread starter dawgstudent
- Start date
Way too much to recap and it is hard to capture Allen's excitement about downtown in words, but basically he talks about:
Brining a new high-tech stadium to downtown;
The growth of the city is tracking various other metro areas, specifically Little Rock, which is very similar in size and demographis (and they are doing a lot better than we are) - he is taking a large group there this summer to see the ways that they helped their downtown area rebound;
Viability of various projects, including Farish St. and Old Capitol Green;
The mixed-use development going in at the old Blind School site - that is going to be awesome;
Talked about how eager out-of-state developers are to get in Jackson because of the relatively low property costs, go zone, and the insane amount of traffic that passes through town on 55 and 20;
mainly he harped on the negative/backwards attitutdes in Jackson and is trying to reverse that way of thinking.
Again, there was more to it, but I think that is the jist. You can check them out at ItsDowntown.com.
Brining a new high-tech stadium to downtown;
The growth of the city is tracking various other metro areas, specifically Little Rock, which is very similar in size and demographis (and they are doing a lot better than we are) - he is taking a large group there this summer to see the ways that they helped their downtown area rebound;
Viability of various projects, including Farish St. and Old Capitol Green;
The mixed-use development going in at the old Blind School site - that is going to be awesome;
Talked about how eager out-of-state developers are to get in Jackson because of the relatively low property costs, go zone, and the insane amount of traffic that passes through town on 55 and 20;
mainly he harped on the negative/backwards attitutdes in Jackson and is trying to reverse that way of thinking.
Again, there was more to it, but I think that is the jist. You can check them out at ItsDowntown.com.
Is there a reason I can't go back and edit my post if I see that I made a typo, or is that just a YUKU thing?
I've been disappointed for years that is it seemed Jackson leaders struggled at attempts to invent the wheel. Ben Allen's thoughts echo mine in that everyone understands Jackson is a couple decades behind everyone else and the plus side to that is we need only to look at other cities who were once in our shape to see how they did it. The future is not small government-owned collessiums where policies prevent the sale of been and favor dirt-filled redneck events over sports and concerts. The future, hell the present for more progressive places - like TUPELO, is corporate-sponsored revenue-generating arenas with sufficient seating, functionality, and surrounding infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, etc).
I also echo his opinion that a modern arena is coming to Jackson metro and that the said arena needs to be in Jackson. We have the metro population and income levels to support such a thing. Its going to happen. And it would be best for all if it were in our central location of Jackson.
He went on to talk about more than arenas, but that's pretty much the jest of it. That many other cities like Little Rock & Chattanooga(sp) have already done what we're trying to do. And we're currently ahead of where they were when they started. We need to follow their lead. So he's taking a group of government & investor types to Little Rock to see how its done.
EDIT: line inserted here just to show that it can be done.
I also echo his opinion that a modern arena is coming to Jackson metro and that the said arena needs to be in Jackson. We have the metro population and income levels to support such a thing. Its going to happen. And it would be best for all if it were in our central location of Jackson.
He went on to talk about more than arenas, but that's pretty much the jest of it. That many other cities like Little Rock & Chattanooga(sp) have already done what we're trying to do. And we're currently ahead of where they were when they started. We need to follow their lead. So he's taking a group of government & investor types to Little Rock to see how its done.
EDIT: line inserted here just to show that it can be done.
Every crime stat I ever see for mid-sized cities has LR either neck and neck with or above Jackson.
Jackson wants to follow that "lead"?
And, oddly enough, the demographics for LR and Jackson are almost inverse. Jackson's 70% black while LR is 70% white... I've always found that interesting when I see people assume that majority black cities are automatically more dangerous than majority white ones.</p>
Jackson wants to follow that "lead"?
And, oddly enough, the demographics for LR and Jackson are almost inverse. Jackson's 70% black while LR is 70% white... I've always found that interesting when I see people assume that majority black cities are automatically more dangerous than majority white ones.</p>
I wasn't trying to imply anything about not wanting to go downtown... I was just adding my $.02 to Shmuley's comment about LR.
There's at least as much money, if not more, being pumped into downtown Jackson than any other regional downtown that I know of. And, it appears to be a good mix of local and outside investment. I would think that, in the end, it will be a more than worthwhile place to be.
Funny about the metro population.... every time I see it posted somewhere, it's different. I've seen it as low as 400K and as high as close to 700K. I've always found it funny that Copiah and Simpson county are included in the MSA, but not Warren county which shares a lot more traffic with the metro area than either of the other two.
There's at least as much money, if not more, being pumped into downtown Jackson than any other regional downtown that I know of. And, it appears to be a good mix of local and outside investment. I would think that, in the end, it will be a more than worthwhile place to be.
Funny about the metro population.... every time I see it posted somewhere, it's different. I've seen it as low as 400K and as high as close to 700K. I've always found it funny that Copiah and Simpson county are included in the MSA, but not Warren county which shares a lot more traffic with the metro area than either of the other two.
it was GREAT. I heard it yesterday and listened again this morning. I know one guy that e-mailed the host and the station manager asking them to link the interview on the website. He told me a link will be available, probably this afternoon. When I get it, I'll put in here.
http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2006-01-28.csv
and I thought the same thing about Warren as well. If you include Warren, it's close to 600K.
http://
If you just take the big 3 (Madison, Rankin, and Hinds), its 475.
here is the metro of Jackson...
and I thought the same thing about Warren as well. If you include Warren, it's close to 600K.
http://
If you just take the big 3 (Madison, Rankin, and Hinds), its 475.
here is the metro of Jackson...
Memphis and how they have revitalized their downtown area, and a lot of it centers around Autozone Park and Beale St.
I still think it's a shame that Trustmark Park wasn't built on Capitol St. near the Mayflower or on the fairgrounds, which is where the Jackson Senators of the 50's played before their ballpark was destroyed by a tornado.</p>
I still think it's a shame that Trustmark Park wasn't built on Capitol St. near the Mayflower or on the fairgrounds, which is where the Jackson Senators of the 50's played before their ballpark was destroyed by a tornado.</p>
and see what the stadium could have meant, I have seen Montgomery go from Jacksonesque to very nice in just a couple of years mainly by the development of the Biscuits stadium and the surounding amenities. Jackson is always going to be Jackson, sorry Ben the quicker you and anyone else figure that out the better off you will be. Even though you have good intentions and a very good businessman, as well a frat brother, you probably are too late and out on an island on this one. Your collegues have agendas and very bad ones that will continue to drive Jackson down until they are gone and replaced by people like you which will not happen.
now it's helped lead a complete revitalization of downtown. My hometown of greensboro, NC just built one too, now new restaurants, bars, lofts, etc. are popping up all around it.
And i've heard all this before whether it was harvey's bus rides or numerous king edward plans; i'll believe it when i see it. isn't melton still the mayor?
Jackson's problem is all the citizens ever want to do is complain. The city council is absolutely worthless. All they do is bicker. I'm glad people want to revitalize Jackson, but I'm not sold on the city coming back. The braintrust of the city is brain dead.
all over the country suburbs are becoming less desirable and markets near city-centers are doing better. This of course assumes there are still businesses in downtown. I really have no idea.
It's what, 10 miles from Ridgeland/Clinton/Brandon to downtown Jackson? I know traffic gets bad at times, but try living in Houston, Atlanta or DFW. I used to commute from Northside Dr. to Gluckstadt, and it is half my daily drive today. I think you see contraction more in larger (pop & geo) metro areas. Besides, poor schools will keep most suburbanites from making the move back to Jackson. Maybe if the increase in gas prices overshadows the cost of private schools, you'd see a move into town. But I don't think it's even close for most commuters.
and entertainment is taking place in the suburbs. Downtown Jackson needs something to get people to want to come down there.
That stadium had the perfect location. And yes, TR, location would have made a difference. I realize people in larger cities have longer commutes, but they're more willing to accept longer commutes too. And BTW, commuting from Northside Dr. to Gluckstadt would be a breeze. You were going opposite of the direction everybody else goes in. It's no wonder you loved that commute.
The lack of downtown housing could alter many of these retail/entertainment developments (Farish Street, Old Capitol Green, etc.). I'm not talking about apartments as several have opened recenlty (The Plaza, Electric 308, etc.). These developments need residential units which can be purchased. To my knowledge the only two sites under construction with condos are the King Edward and City View. It's also my understanding that the condos in the Duling School job have been replaced by a boutique hotel.
I don't blame the developers because apartments and hotels are likely are more profitable than condos. But for the area to really be revitalized it quickly needs to develop a housing stock. Old Capitol Green and the 2nd phase of the Pinnancle project include condos but these plans could easily change.
I looked at some of the apartments downtown before I purchased my house but I just could not pay $1000-$2500 a month to rent a 1-2 bedroom unit downtown when it was only $950 a month for a mortgage payment in NE Jackson. Hopefully, the residential units will increase over the next 3-4 years and I can then buy downtown.
I don't blame the developers because apartments and hotels are likely are more profitable than condos. But for the area to really be revitalized it quickly needs to develop a housing stock. Old Capitol Green and the 2nd phase of the Pinnancle project include condos but these plans could easily change.
I looked at some of the apartments downtown before I purchased my house but I just could not pay $1000-$2500 a month to rent a 1-2 bedroom unit downtown when it was only $950 a month for a mortgage payment in NE Jackson. Hopefully, the residential units will increase over the next 3-4 years and I can then buy downtown.
you have to start somewhere. Memphis and Little Rock both started with nothing. Fondren was run down and now its starting to boom. Its not called a revitalization b/c a certain area is already looking promising. Its called a revitalization b/c its dead. hell, people thought they were crazy for putting loft apts in downtown jackson but everytime they build some, people fill them.
Losing the stadium hurt badly but there is a lot more interest in Jxn than most people know about or ever want to believe. And yes, Jxn's gov't is terrible but as stated before, this thing isn't going to get done with gov't....its all about private business.
Losing the stadium hurt badly but there is a lot more interest in Jxn than most people know about or ever want to believe. And yes, Jxn's gov't is terrible but as stated before, this thing isn't going to get done with gov't....its all about private business.
Ben Allen had a good article last month in the paper. Most of the projects mentioned are still in the planning or design phase. Hopefully these developments don't get stuck in the mud like Farish Street or Two Lakes. </p>
Clarion Ledger - May 18, 2008 </p>
Clarion Ledger - May 18, 2008 </p>
If we build a new stadium in Jackson, what teams are going to play in it? Or be forced to play in it. When I was going to MSU a few centuries ago the large majority of our "home" games were played in Jackson. Those of us with no cars and very limited funds got to see about two games a year. I would hate to see this come up again. If MSU didn't play any games down there, I have no problem with a new stadium other than the cost to provide economic relief to Jackson.
It pisses me off every time I read about the new development in Fondren. Instead of putting some cool new restaurants and bars in there, they are adding a coffee shop 1 block from an existing coffee shop, office space, and a bank. Fondren could be a really cool area, but whoever's in charge of development is doing a great job of <17>ing it up.
I listened to the head of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce speak at lunch today, and it was pretty maddening. He said that because of the liquor ban in the county, there are a lot of restaurants that won't build in the county. Additionally, Costco was ready to put a store here until they found out about the ban. Then, he said he supported the ban. He was also asked how the 5% ABW cap on beer was hurting the county, and he said not much, except "for a couple of microbreweries." I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. I'm sure no one in the area would want more restaurants, Costco, or restaurants that brewed their own beer.
I listened to the head of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce speak at lunch today, and it was pretty maddening. He said that because of the liquor ban in the county, there are a lot of restaurants that won't build in the county. Additionally, Costco was ready to put a store here until they found out about the ban. Then, he said he supported the ban. He was also asked how the 5% ABW cap on beer was hurting the county, and he said not much, except "for a couple of microbreweries." I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. I'm sure no one in the area would want more restaurants, Costco, or restaurants that brewed their own beer.
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