Jackson city officials hope that by selling off, or at least considering selling, a portion of the parking lot next to the Jackson Convention Complex could entice developers to build there.
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced last week that the city was going to again issue a request for proposals (RFP) to develop the property, months after the initial proposals were rejected.
“We have come up with a wonderful project that we are excited about … We look forward to people responding to that,” he said.
Plans are to turn the roughly 8-acre site into a mixed-use development that will boost the use of the convention center, as well as attract more people to downtown Jackson.
Today, the property is comprised of numerous concrete slabs used for convention center parking.
“Approximately 40,000 people travel to Jackson each day,” he said. “We want people to see a downtown Jackson that is vibrant, growing and leaves an impression.”
The proposal is for a master developer to oversee a project that would include residential, entertainment and retail space, a parking garage and convention center hotel.
Planning Director Mukesh Kumar said responses are due back in six weeks, and contract negotiations with a developer should be completed by August.
Three developers responded to the city’s previous RFP last fall, and all three proposals were rejected.
Kumar expects more developers to respond this time, citing a major change in the scope of work.
Under the current document, the city and the Jackson Redevelopment Authority (JRA) would be open to transferring ownership of the 7.75-acre site if doing so is in the best interest of the city.
Previously, the city would only consider leasing it, turning potential developers from even submitting proposals.
“It made more sense to be open to transferring the property,” said Kumar. “Several developers expressed their hesitations about not owning the land.”
The move comes more than a year after Jackson brought on Hunden Strategic Solutions to help draw up plans for the site.
Jackson had to hire the consultant as part of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city used nearly $7 million in HUD funds to purchase the property for the purpose of building a convention center hotel.
Plans were for the city to pay back the loan by 2028, but HUD called the amount, because Jackson had not developed the site, Kumar said previously. The city is now paying the debt in twice-annual installments.
