My wife and I moved to Jackson 30 years ago. We arrived having moved 20 times in more than 28 years with the Army, so we had the opportunity to live in many different towns, cities, states and countries. My first impression moving to Jackson is that this city was a diamond in the rough. It certainly has “good bones” with some magnificent architecture, but it was clear that it was far from reaching its potential.
Unfortunately, this only worsened over the years, and the city continued to spiral downward. Road problems, water problems, trash problems, increased crime, coupled with ineffective and/or corrupt leadership.
Starting a little more than a year ago, I believe the pendulum has begun to swing the other way. There are so many positive things happening in Jackson. Leading the resurgence is a cadre of entrepreneurs and developers who are changing the face of our capital city.
Let’s begin with Kumar Bhavanasi, a real estate developer from New Jersey who has purchased five of the most prominent buildings in the city: Regions Plaza, the Pinnacle Building, the Deposit Guaranty Building, the Electric Building and finally the Marriott hotel which has been vacant for more than six years. He plans to create Class A apartments, premium office space and open coffee shops, restaurants and other services which will greatly add to the quality of life downtown.
Past Mayor Kane Ditto, who was a prime mover in bringing the Two Museums to Jackson, continues his quest to make Jackson a first-class city. He bought and renovated the historic Mayflower Café which had been a staple of Jackson for 90 years. He has taken the lead in raising more than 23 million dollars in the major renovation of our planetarium, which will open once staffing has been completed. This planetarium will be one of the very finest in the country. Additionally, he built two upscale apartment complexes and is going to open a bookstore and coffee shop across the street from the Mayflower.
Serial entrepreneur and developer Gabriel Prado who burst on the scene just a couple of years ago is making a serious commitment to both Jackson and the surrounding area. He is building high-end apartments on the site where McRae’s sat vacant for more than 20 years. He recently purchased the old YMCA off High St. and plans to initially repurpose the building into 60 multifamily residential units, followed by an additional phase of around 100 units. He has also transformed old run-down gas stations into gas/convenience stores throughout the city. His reach extends outside Jackson, but still within the metro area. The Prado Hotel is just outside city limits in Ridgeland, as is Prado Vista, a mixed-use area including Top Golf, and a planned hotel and convention center, and multiple restaurants to include Dave and Buster’s which was recently approved by the city. Not done yet, he plans an AI/data center and semiconductor industrial complex, site TBD.
These developers are rapidly changing the face of our city, but here’s even more good news. In the past couple years, the kids of our long-time residents have returned to Jackson and opened some of our best restaurants. Hunter Evans, acclaimed chef, serves award winning food at Elvie’s and the Mayflower Café, in addition to operating a high-end wine store in Banner Hall. Chaz Lindsay and Jonathan Webb serve fabulous Italian food at Pulito’s Osteria in Belhaven. Will Puckett expanded his popular sushi restaurant Tuk Tuk Boom from Highland Village to Madison. Stephen O’Neill, a gulf war and Purple Heart veteran, serves fabulous Mediterranean and American food at the Manship in Belhaven. Alex Eaton, has taken his popular mediterranean eatery, Aplos, from Highland Village to both Ridgeland and Oxford.
These six young entrepreneurs, and there are more, have risked everything in their belief of the viability of Jackson, and they have all been wildly successful. Support them!
An exciting new venture sponsored by Downtown Jackson Partners is the Urban Studio, which brings students from Mississippi State, Jackson State and Millsaps to take on meaningful, real-world projects aimed at revitalizing downtown Jackson. This project allows high-performing students to get involved in the future of our city.
Let’s not overlook the many cultural/entertainment venues we have in the city: the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, the Museum of Mississippi History (both first in class), the Ag Museum, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, the acclaimed Mississippi Children’s Museum, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, the Mississippi Museum of Art and the upcoming Mississippi Planetarium.
Unlike recent years, we have a mayor who enjoys the support of the great majority of the residents of Jackson. His positive approach is refreshing and yet he fully understands that there is plenty of work yet to be done. This is one of the toughest jobs in the country. So many positive things have happened in the past couple years there should be little doubt that we are turning the corner, so don’t look now...here comes Jackson!
Tom Johnson is a Northsider.
