The Future of Jackson, MS (Vicksburg, Ridgeland: transplants, houseboats, transfer)

[ahnraleigh]

Originally Posted by jacksonian

Thanks for asking that question. I don't mind explaining it at all.

Farish Street has a rich history. It was the business and entertainment epicenter for Jackson's African American community. Blues legends such as Charlie Patton, Louis Armstrong, Count Baise and Duke Ellington headlined the clubs. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places and has earned two destinations on the Mississippi Blues Trail (Trumpet Records and Alamo Theater, where B.B. King and Nat King Cole held court). It is it's history that has kept it from being demolished over the years.

Many developers have tried to develop the area, but unfortunately our local officials have prevented that from happening. For years, no one has made up their mind about what to actually do with the area, hence the strong contrast between the new trees, light fixtures, and brick pavers (installed by the city) to the tired, old buildings that flank it. Many of the buildings are abandoned and some are just facades supported by structural members, but a few of them are being renovated currently.

The developer that has taken the reins of the Farish Street project is currently renovating the King Edward Hotel, a 12 story building built in 1923. It is yet another project that was wrapped up in red tape by the local officials, and somehow David Watkins, the developer, found a way to get around it (for both projects). The hotel sat vacant for 40 years until 2 years ago when workers began cleaning it up to prepare it for renovation. Once the King Edward renovation is complete (should be late 2009), Watkins plans to turn his full attention to Farish Street.

That is why the area looks like it is falling apart, because it has been for years. There are a few businesses still there that have stood the test of time, and they will reap the benefits once the development is completed. Currently, it is used a lot by photographers and artists because of its dramatic backdrop, although, I will be glad to see the area revitalized.

So many areas of the city have been developed over the past few decades that clearly divides the haves from the have nots, but this project will be for everyone. It will attract all races and will celebrate the history of the city. Hopefully, it will become a form of inspiration for the local community as well. The neighborhoods nearby are just as old as the storefronts on Farish St, and there is still a battle going on to decide what to do with them... many are abandoned and have lost their structural integrity. There is a constant struggle between Archives & History and developers in all areas that are part of the historic context of the city, regardless of condition, quantity of properties, etc. That is an obstacle that needs to be addressed soon if we plan on making significant changes within the city.

Thanks for the perspective. I do hope that the revitalization is a success there.

[Rosalie3597]

Originally Posted by marighand

how come a city the size of jackson, ms doesn't even have a single movie theater? that's just ridiculous.

My family and I visited Jackson in July of 08 and we couldn't find a movie theatre in Jackson and everyone I asked said they did not know. We also found only 1 mall and it looked like it was about to close down.

[marighand]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

I only discovered this thread now, but going back to the first question, comparing it to Raleigh, Atlanta, etc. one issue here is that I don't think many people not from the deep South see Mississippi (even a relatively large city like Jackson) as a place they'd be comfortable relocating to. Many in the North think of Mississippi as the most extreme of the Deep South states in terms of prejudice, or (if you're white) anti-Yankee hatred, etc. and if Jackson wants to become like Atlanta or Raleigh, etc. (and I'm not sure if you/they do), then removing that perception would be important. It's possible, just 25-30 years ago northerners thought of North Carolina in a similar way because of Jesse Helms, etc. and that has changed rapidly.

I know up here, when people say they're moving to Atlanta for a job, or say to North Carolina, they're told what great, changing growing places they are. But I know a couple of others who went for one of those programs where they have you teach in a school in Mississippi and people thought they were nuts (and not because of teaching).

I think the biggest thing is education and economy. They need to invest in those two things instead of other crap. They need to foster the growth of future industries and entrepreneurs. ECONOMY will always be the only way to change. ECONOMY and EDUCATION brings more people, brings diversity, brings progress and brings money.

For example, in Raleigh, NC area the local legislature and business people created a research park known as RTP in the 1950's. Back then you could probably compare parts of Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill to Mississippi. However, what the main difference is in is education. The Triangle has some of the best public education systems in the state as well as three universities (Duke, UNC, NCSU) that have a consistent base of workers, etc. It is really what fostered growth. Jackson has not a single great university, which is its downfall. I don't really know of a city growing at a fast rate at this time that doesn't not have either a GREAT economic outlook or a fantastic university or universities. Actually Las Vegas and Charlotte, NC are the only two that I know of that don't really have great universities they are based solely on economies. Mississippi will not gain any progress until they begin to really invest in education and economy. Are there any magnet schools in Jackson?

[Arrowette]

Mississippi already has way too many universities - 4 major universities serving 2.5 million people. I think that we have more universities per capita than any other state. If there's a problem with our higher education, it's that too few resources are divvied out to too many schools. The advantage of states like Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, etc. is that they have this one HUGE university that dominates higher ed and gets all the resources. While in Mississippi, the universities are all close to the same size and have to split everything up - thus State gets the great engineering program, Ole Miss gets accounting and business, Southern gets teaching and the arts, Jackson State gets environmental science and chemistry - while all of those things are located under one huge umbrella in another state.

Jackson's taxes are way too high, they don't give tax breaks to incoming businesses, and they do nothing to encourage economic development because half of the government are generally criminals.

And white flight (or more appropriately middle class-flight) is a huge issue, like people mentioned upthread.

[poptones]

I used to enjoy going to the Alamo when I lived in the area back in 80 or so. I lived right up the block in the travlLodge and worked out near the switchyard so it was right on my way. Saw The Time there and a bunch of great local bands. Five bucks admission meant you could drink as much beer as you wanted, and the atmosphere was great.

Keep in mind this was back when the place was supposed to be REALLY bad - prostitutes and dealers openly walked the streets at night and it was common to hear gunfire. When I went back a few years ago I was actually a little saddened because, while it seemed safer, it also seemed way gentrified.

[jacksonian]

I have to agree with Arrowette. Mississippi has plenty of colleges, and the universities are actually great colleges.

Mississippi State University was among the nation's top 148 "doctoral extensive" universities in a revised classification of nearly 4,000 American higher education institutions designed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine is the largest vet school housed under one roof in the nation. As of the 2008 fall semester, MSU's freshman ACT average was 23.6. Mississippi State ranks 58th among all U.S. public universities in research and development expenditures, with more than $206 million recorded for FY 07. The university ranks 34th in engineering and fifth in agricultural sciences. MSU is ranked 82nd in the 2007 edition of Washington Monthly's "what colleges are doing for the country." Mississippi State is among 39 colleges and universities recognized as "role models" by a Maryland-based organization that works to improve the national recruitment, retention and enhancement of minorities in education, government and industry.

The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy received the No. 5 ranking among pharmacy schools for total extramural funding awarded for research, according to a report compiled by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is listed among the 100 top hospitals in the country as designated by Thomson Healthcare, a national health care information company. For the second year running, the American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training has ranked UM among the nation's top 40 chemistry programs in awarding bachelor's degrees. The Public Accounting Report of 2005 slots Ole Miss
at No. 23 in its 24th annual survey of accounting professors. The report also gives the school an honorable mention in the list of top doctoral programs.

That's just two of the 16 state colleges that I can think of off the top of my head. That doesn't even include all the junior and community colleges, like Hinds Community College (10,000), Holmes Community College(5,000), Jones Junior College (5,000), Ittawamba Community College (5,000), etc. There are at least 12 of them.

We have close to 30 colleges in a state with less than 3 million people. Three of our universities have enrollment of over 16,000 students, which makes it hard to compete with out-of-state universities that have much larger enrollment due to lack of competition and more funding.

[marighand]

Originally Posted by Arrowette

Mississippi already has way too many universities - 4 major universities serving 2.5 million people. I think that we have more universities per capita than any other state. If there's a problem with our higher education, it's that too few resources are divvied out to too many schools. The advantage of states like Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, etc. is that they have this one HUGE university that dominates higher ed and gets all the resources. While in Mississippi, the universities are all close to the same size and have to split everything up - thus State gets the great engineering program, Ole Miss gets accounting and business, Southern gets teaching and the arts, Jackson State gets environmental science and chemistry - while all of those things are located under one huge umbrella in another state.

Well same is true in NC. UNC for example doesn't really have an engineering department that all goes to NC State. Anyway, your statement is false because NC has 16 universities just in the UNC system alone...not including private schools like Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, etc.

Also keep in mind that I'm not referring to the universities in Mississippi I'm referring to the ones in the Metro Jackson area. I'm talking about major research universities in collaboration with big business. I don't see that.

[jacksonian]

Originally Posted by marighand

Well same is true in NC. UNC for example doesn't really have an engineering department that all goes to NC State. Anyway, your statement is false because NC has 16 universities just in the UNC system alone...not including private schools like Duke, Wake Forest, Davidson, etc.

NC has over 9 million people. MS has less than 3 million. NC will need to have app. 90+ universities if you want to compare it that way.

Originally Posted by marighand

Also keep in mind that I'm not referring to the universities in Mississippi I'm referring to the ones in the Metro Jackson area. I'm talking about major research universities in collaboration with big business. I don't see that.

University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) is the health sciences campus of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and is located in Jackson, Mississippi. The first heart transplant (yes, in the world) involving a human was carried out by a team led by Dr James D. Hardy on the of 23 of January 1964 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Is that big enough?

[Arrowette]

Just expounding on your post a bit, Jacksonian.

Originally Posted by jacksonian

The Public Accounting Report of 2005 slots Ole Miss at No. 23 in its 24th annual survey of accounting professors. The report also gives the school an honorable mention in the list of top doctoral programs.

They now rank us #18 in the nation in undergraduate programs and #15 in graduate and doctoral programs (which puts us at #2 in the SEC after UGA, which is ranked #11). And we also acquired the National Accounting Library. Can't resist; I've gotta give props to my accounting department...

That's just two of the 16 state colleges that I can think of off the top of my head. That doesn't even include all the junior and community colleges, like Hinds Community College (10,000), Holmes Community College(5,000), Jones Junior College (5,000), Ittawamba Community College (5,000), etc. There are at least 12 of them.

Other universities include University of Southern Mississippi, Delta State University, Mississippi University for Women, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and Jackson State University. There are also several liberal arts colleges: Millsaps College, Belhaven College, and Mississippi College (and those are just the ones in Jackson proper). And there are tons of small historically black liberal arts colleges out there like Rust in Holly Springs.

And of course ALL of the major universities have a number of branch campuses, and most of the junior college systems have several branch locations.

We have close to 30 colleges in a state with less than 3 million people. Three of our universities have enrollment of over 16,000 students, which makes it hard to compete with out-of-state universities that have much larger enrollment due to lack of competition and more funding.

Word. Mississippi State and Ole Miss have only 16,000 at their main campuses, and what do comparable universities in other states have - 30,000 or more? It's ridiculous. We have about the same number of higher education institutions as any other southern state besides Texas, but 1/5 the taxpaying population.

Originally Posted by jacksonian

NC has over 9 million people. MS has less than 3 million. NC will need to have app. 90+ universities if you want to compare it that way.



University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) is the health sciences campus of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and is located in Jackson, Mississippi. The first heart transplant (yes, in the world) involving a human was carried out by a team led by Dr James D. Hardy on the of 23 of January 1964 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Is that big enough?

Word.

[marighand]

Originally Posted by jacksonian

University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) is the health sciences campus of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and is located in Jackson, Mississippi. The first heart transplant (yes, in the world) involving a human was carried out by a team led by Dr James D. Hardy on the of 23 of January 1964 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Is that big enough?

Okay sure, but what has that lead to? I'm talking about the future not the past. By the way I don't think that heart transplant lasted very long, maybe like a few minutes or seconds before the patient died....but a milestone nonetheless.