The Jackson Redevelopment Authority (JRA) wants to hear from developers interested in revamping property on Farish and East Amite streets into what it refers to as Soul City Market.
On March 9, JRA issued a Request for Interest (RFI) Phase II in redeveloping property located at 202, 210, 214 and 216 Farish St. and 106 E. Amite St. Submissions should be made by April 13 at 4 p.m. at www.jrams.org.
Submissions will be evaluated in May by an evaluation panel of JRA board members, consultants, staff and community partners. Later that month, the evaluation panel anticipates announcing a short list of those who responded to the RFI, who are invited to respond to a Request for Offers.
Last year, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba proposed spending $4 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds on a project that he said would be catalyst for development on Farish Street, but that did not happen because the city had more pressing matters.
The Jackson City Council voted to commit its remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to water and sewer improvements after a month-long water crisis affected residents, throughout the city, drew national media interest and received attention from the president to the governor.
In July 2021, the city council approved a masterplan for the possible redevelopment of a building on Farish Street, which was promoted as a way to bring about additional development and investment in the once vibrant Farish Street Historic District.
The council unanimously approved a $42,500 contract with Carbon Office LLC to begin the planning process, which was to have two phases. The analysis was in partnership with the city’s Department of Planning and Development and JRA, which owns the building and about 26 other properties in the neighborhood. Part of the study was to determine the economic viability of the development.
Redevelopment of Farish Street has been attempted before but without success and JRA was criticized for an earlier Farish Street redevelopment project.
The Farish Street neighborhood earned the federal historic designation in 1980 and since then more than $51 million has been spent or committed to Farish Street and renovation projects, according to an analysis of financial records, media reports and historical documents by Mississippi Today and WLBT.
Between federal grants, grant infrastructure funds, state bonds and developer investment, at least $22 million was allocated specifically for Farish Street’s redevelopment, according to the analysis.
Created in 1968 to promote economic development in Jackson, JRA consists of seven members nominated by the mayor for a five-year term. The redevelopment authority can borrow money for its projects and select developers. Loans that JRA takes are backed by the city’s credit rating and the city of Jackson and its taxpayers are responsible should a project fail to make money. JRA has been involved in numerous projects across the city, from helping acquire land for the renovation of the King Edward Hotel to assisting in acquisition of land for the Jackson Convention Complex.
