CharLotta, I’m somewhat with you in the sense that I personally can’t see any value in the KE for all of the effort being placed into restoring it’s “former glory”. I was told part of the reason KE closed was because the owners didn’t want to rent rooms to blacks so it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see it leveled and replaced with something that represents modern times and thinking. I was actually with Melton in spirit when he wanted to implode it, but opposed to his actions because a good deal was already on the table and moving forward and it was ridiculous for him to try undermining all the work that went into that deal. I also support projects like this that come from the private sector and don’t require public funding for the restoration work and since the developers and financiers are convinced they can make it work I say get outta the way and let them do it.
I was told part of the reason KE closed was because the owners didn’t want to rent rooms to blacks so it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see it leveled and replaced with something that represents modern times and thinking.
I think that’s an even more important reason to restore it. Deuce McAllister, a black man, is contributing to the restoration, and then people of all colors can utilize the building. Take that, Jim Crow!
But, i also et the feeling when i visit Jackson in 15 years they will still be talking about saving the King Edward….and building Harborwalk.
I don’t much about Harborwalk, but I don’t believe that will happen to the KEH. They’ve finished cleaning it out, and that’s half the battle. I think that the only thing that would slow down this project is a lot of negative energy.
To set the record straight, the King Edward was actually one of the first hotels in Jackson to admit black patrons. The Robert E. Lee closed, in part, because the Gammill family refused to integrate the hotel. The King Edward is a solid building with a lot of architectural integrity. As has been mentioned above, its restoration is pivotal to the downtown area. As for its completion, the project is on track for completion in 2009. The restoration will be a reality. As for HarborWalk, that project may not see the light of day immediately.
“But, i also et the feeling when i visit Jackson in 15 years they will still be talking about saving the King Edward”....
I think that was the jist of Meltons comments about imloding it…it was based on frustration about many things that seemd to be stalled…...Pops has a couple of amazing posts about the process and many layers of difficulty surrounding projects like this and how time and patience has made everything fall into place (not to mention Go Zone…yea!).....we have one here (in ATL) called The Winecoff hotel and it is exactly the same timeline as the King…and it is finally getting it’s contruction start…..(yes for those who remember reading about it in hotel fires history….The Winecoff was the site of the terrible fire in the 30’s….). It was fire proof so “no need for exit stairs right?.....wrong…...
Also, we have Auburn avenue which is a close cousin to Farish street and it is finally under construction…..but after many years of start and stops….
Now for this, a city of 5,100,000 to finally get around to Winecoff and Auburn and you a city of 500.000 and now underway with the King and Farish…..i’d say you were well ahead of the game…....forget about Harbor Walk….it’s time will come as well…...
Pops has a couple of amazing posts about the process and many layers of difficulty surrounding projects like this and how time and patience has made everything fall into place
Tombarnes, thanks for “checking” me on that claim. I guess my source had his hotels mixed up. My not being a Jackson native I had no idea what was true.
Charlotta, tell us about when Jackson was a “nice” place as you describe it? What year(s) are you referring to?
Actually, during the last administration, many grand ideas were coming to fruition and crime was dropping. It was the people who refused to see that progress who got us to this place now.
But, I do agree about the need to wake up. I suspect, though, that we mean it differently. I see no glorious past for Jackson; our entire history has been built on segregation and then trying to get past its ravages and legacy. We were moving forward, but now we’re moving backward a bit. Negativity such as yours will only compound the problems of this terrible administration.
The past doesn’t matter now: it’s over and done with. The future is going to Hell, and nobody has the handbasket.
If CharLotta is no longer in Jackson, she can’t help. Those of us who live outside the city can’t help. We don’t vote in Jackson. The Jacksonians need to get up and purge the canker sore that is Frank Melton. No one else can do that but you all.
Of course the past matters, Lady. If not, we wouldn’t study history.
But Melton is Jackson’s problem. He is also the state’s problem because he is running the capitol city (into the ground?).
And, unfortunately, because The Clarion-Ledger panders statewide, negative non-Jacksonians who want to see the city to fail (and “thugs” to be bashed, the Constitution be damned) have had way too much influence in the politics of the city (and that paper’s non-coverage and endorsement of Melton).
That we must fight, too, even as we reach out our arms to people around the state who actually care about the city.
I have rarely commented on Melton as I do not live there but I have many friends that do and some family as well. I think everyone can agree now ,with a majority, that he was a big big mistake. But that point has been made on other more detailed threads on this site.
I do attest to the progress and development that has been made in Jtown as there is a lot going on and the cities major institutions are not only intact they are thriving. And more on the way with a strong city center. you know Atlanta was on it’s knees in the 70’s…..and guess where the turn around occurred…right downtown with conventions and a convention district, a number of good hotel installations, a new museum…...“gee” I see a pattern here…..and remember “Charlotta”...Charlotte NC was not exactly a garden spot 20 years ago either…..and it “weredernt” Billy Graham that got it where it is today…...........it was the same process that Atlanta put in motion 30 years ago…..it will take time for Jtown but it is underway…...
Getting back to the King Edward, it’s also worth pointing out that demolishing a building like that is no easy undertaking. The environmental concerns are serious, with lots of particulate matter getting in the air during the implosion and clean up. Then there’s the cost of disposing all that debris, which is serious considering that hauling away tons and tons of heavy building stone and steel isn’t cheap. Might as well rehab it and get some badly needed downtown residential space out of it.
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