Hotel King Edward - Jackson, Mississippi

March 28, 2006

Melton should publicly support determined King Edward developers

Jackson's King Edward Hotel continues to be the city's dream deferred.

The abandoned hotel, closed since the 1960s, has attracted more redevelopment proposals than New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has challengers.

The plans, which have come from at least four different administrations, have included apartments, condos, shops and stores as well as a convention center hotel or just tearing the structure down. None has panned out, including the latest effort to convert the hotel into condos, shops and hotel rooms.

The city recently learned the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has rejected its application for a $2 million grant to begin environmental cleanup of the structure at Capitol and Mill streets.

The city can reapply for the funds next year, but developers insist the HUD news will not delay the project. That's encouraging because demolishing the building doesn't appear to be a viable option.

APPEAL TO LAWMAKERS

The current King Edward renovation plan is being pushed by developer David Watkins, Deuce McAllister of the New Orleans Saints and Historic Renovations Inc. of New Orleans. Plans for the $55 million project include upscale condos and 152 hotel rooms.

This team seems determined to win.

Watkins already has appealed to the Legislature for a $2 million interest-free loan from the Mississippi Development Authority, which would cover the funds that were expected from HUD. He also said developers are looking at several tax breaks to make sure the project is not delayed.

Mayor Frank Melton, who said he favored demolishing the King Edward if conversations about renovation were not converted to action, also apparently has shifted gears. In a March 17 letter to a key lawmaker, the mayor said he was working with the City Council to resurrect the King Edward and that he supported the effort for the $2 million loan from MDA.

NO EASY DEMOLITION

Melton's switch is a relief, since tearing down the King Edward wouldn't be as easy as removing Town Creek Apartments.

The hotel and adjacent parking garage, which both opened in 1923, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it will take more than a City Council vote to bring the structure down.

Demolition also would be a costly exercise, considering the environmental issues that must be abated before the wrecking ball could start swinging. Downtown needs the hotel's character, which would blend nicely with neighboring Union Station.

The Metro Parkway is all but completed, and downtown's western edge is coming to life.

The demand for downtown housing is there. Two recent developments, Electric 308 and the Plaza Building, are overflowing.

All 15 apartments at Electric are rented, and there is a waiting list.

All 14 units at the Plaza Building have been rented.

The mayor should publicly embrace the King Edward project and lend all of the city's resources to turning this dream into a viable reality for downtown Jackson.