Will Jackson ever have another major shopping mall (Pearl, Lake: 2013, high crime)

[golden eagles fan]

Earlier today, I was at the outlet mall in Pearl. As you know, the mall is part of the development that includes Bass Pro Shops, Sam's, and the centerpiece, Trustmark Park. Trustmark Park could've been in Jackson, but city leadership committed an error (pun intended) and Pearl won because of it. If TP was built in Jackson, it may be possible that the outlet mall could've been built on the Jackson side of the river.

A new mall hasn't been built in the city since Metrocenter opened in 1978. Other than power centers like the Junction (Target, Petsmart, Home Depot, etc.) and the ones on County Line, all other large retail developments have been built outside the city. Besides Metrocenter (which I struggle to call it a mall), the only other major retail outlet is Highland Village.

I highly doubt another mall will be built in the city anytime soon. The upcoming District At Eastover will have some retail, but will not be close to the size of the major malls. The soonest I can see one built is if the One Lake plan goes through, which could spur some development.

[Neshomamench]

Had Trustmark Park been built in Jackson, it is unlikely it would have added anything else, just like every place else in the country that built a sports arena in a bad area. You end up with a sports arena in a bad area. In spite of the highest hopes, it usually does not spur any other growth based on a sports arena alone.

Jackson in broken and at present course will stay broken. No matter how it makes anyone feel, you have to ask the question, "What is in Jackson that would attract business?" It is a broke and uneducated population with a crumbling infrastructure and a massive crime problem. Why would any sizable and stable business locate in such an area? Why wouldn't such businesses locate in the areas that are safe and have money? (which is exactly what is happening)

[zblanton1]

Originally Posted by Neshomamench

Had Trustmark Park been built in Jackson, it is unlikely it would have added anything else, just like every place else in the country that built a sports arena in a bad area. You end up with a sports arena in a bad area.

Downtown is a bad area? Huh, didn't know that.

[madison2013]

Originally Posted by zblanton1

Downtown is a bad area? Huh, didn't know that.

and here's the downtown defender

[bornjacksonian]

Originally Posted by Neshomamench

Jackson in broken and at present course will stay broken. No matter how it makes anyone feel, you have to ask the question, "What is in Jackson that would attract business?" It is a broke and uneducated population with a crumbling infrastructure and a massive crime problem. Why would any sizable and stable business locate in such an area?

The truth hurts sometimes about my hometown, but there are a lot of educated people residing in the city of Jackson. I do agree though I can't pretty much explain what the city offers to attract any new brand businesses. I watched Jackson decline tremendously, especially the Metrocenter Mall area. I remember going there as a kid ( https://youtu.be/llMm7dve5ZY ) and how the entire area was booming. You had businesses up and down Highway 80 and Robinson Road.

[zblanton1]

Originally Posted by madison2013

and here's the downtown defender

Well I can't remember anything in recent memory (20-30 years) that talks about high crime downtown, or gun violence downtown, or homicides or anything of that nature. So what makes downtown so unsafe? The most you have to worry about downtown, is homeless people.

I'd say Downtown is one of the safest areas of the city! Now if you wanna talk unsafe, West & South Jackson have UNSAFE written all over them.

[madison2013]

Originally Posted by zblanton1

Well I can't remember anything in recent memory (20-30 years) that talks about high crime downtown, or gun violence downtown, or homicides or anything of that nature. So what makes downtown so unsafe? The most you have to worry about downtown, is homeless people.

I'd say Downtown is one of the safest areas of the city! Now if you wanna talk unsafe, West & South Jackson have UNSAFE written all over them.

You just answered your own question. When the developers who built the Renaissance or the Outlets at Pearl you think they said "the most shoppers have to worry about are the bums"?

[Neshomamench]

Originally Posted by zblanton1

Downtown is a bad area? Huh, didn't know that.

It is unlikely Jackson will ever fix itself. Its only hope, based on what has happened in a few other places, is it capitalizes on its captive industry (UMMC) and when some areas get cheap enough to attract early adapter broke young professionals, it supports such people. That is one of the ways gentrification starts.

To be blunt, Jackson's only hope are the businesses that cant leave and outsiders.

[sammyreynolds1977]

Jackson has major problems including an inept city government. If the people of Jackson won't better then they need to elect better. People like Kenneth Stokes isn't going to get it done and you need to elect a mayor that has a history of getting things done and not someone that just has hope. Hope isn't going to fix Jackson.

But to answer the question, the answer is no.

[VennyG]

Originally Posted by sammyreynolds1977

Jackson has major problems including an inept city government. If the people of Jackson won't better then they need to elect better. People like Kenneth Stokes isn't going to get it done and you need to elect a mayor that has a history of getting things done and not someone that just has hope. Hope isn't going to fix Jackson.

But to answer the question, the answer is no.

And currently there is no such mayor living in Jackson. Current mayor seems to be turning (or trying to) shake things up. Hope is all we got.