JRA Mulls ‘Union Market’ Downtown

Ward Schaefer

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority is considering turning a vacant storage facility under the Mill Street viaduct into a retail market.

by Ward Schaefer
July 23, 2010

The city is soliciting community input on an empty storage space across from the King Edward Hotel in downtown Jackson that could become an open-air market, dubbed "Union Market," Jackson Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Jason Brookins told an audience of the Young Professionals Alliance yesterday.

The 10,000-square foot space, located under the Mill Street Viaduct at the corner of Mill and Capitol streets, served as storage for construction materials during the King Edward's renovation. With an open plan, tall ceilings and power outlets on every support pillar, the space only needs updated lighting, Brookins told the Jackson Free Press.

The JRA owns the building and began planning work on the space in 2003 following the renovation of Union Station. King Edward Hotel developer David Watkins has previously said that he would like to use the space for a Saturday farmer's market aimed at downtown residents. Brookins said that he hopes to attract the larger pool of downtown workers first, eventually extending the market's hours to the weekend.

"We want to be available to folks that reside downtown, but it seems to make more sense if we can capture the audience of people that are here Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.," Brookins said. "We want people to spend some time down there, spend their money. We want it to be a place they'll visit on a regular basis."

Many details of the market project are hazy at this point, but Brookins said the JRA is looking to similar markets in other cities, like the French Market in New Orleans, as models. The market would likely offer food and shopping several days a week.

Brookins sees the market as an opportunity to help local entrepreneurs. He is considering the idea of establishing a kitchen incubator, possibly located off-site, that small-scale food vendors could rent, as a cheaper alternative to establishing their own kitchens with state Health Department certification.

The JRA is currently pursuing several other projects, including a major urban renewal effort along the Highway 80 corridor. Brookins said the authority hopes to advertise for development proposals for Union Market by the end of the year.

"Ideally it'll happen before the end of the calendar year, but it's all a function of everything else," Brookins said. "In the context of everything, it's not on the front-burner at the moment."

In the meantime, the JRA will seek ideas for the market from members of the downtown community. Brookins said that he expects to work with YP Alliance members on an electronic survey to gather input.

Julie Skipper, director of the Downtown Jackson Neighborhood Association and a YP Alliance board member, said that she hopes the YPA will consider developing a survey for residents and professionals at its board meeting later this month.

"I'm glad to see that they're seeking feedback from the people who it would be for, because that's what will help make it successful, rather than just projecting on the community: 'Here's what we think will succeed,'" she said.

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