TRIBUTE - Matchbin

Page 8A Thursday, January 20, 2011
Developing downtown
Jackson downtown developer David Watkins spoke to
the Rotary Club of North Jackson, naming a multitude of
exciting new projects in downtown Jackson. Last year,
Watkins told the group by the time he spoke again, the
King Edward and Standard Life Building would be renovated
and open and sure enough, he was dead on.
Watkins’ new predictions are even more fantastic. He
says Farish Street will be up and open for business by
this summer and “will be better than Beale Street,” with
65 full-time musicians employed, “a colony if you will.” He
said 4.5 million tourists visit Beale Street a year, 2.5 million
on tour buses, 20 a day. He projects Farish Street will
get one million tourists a year, with 2.5 million a year
soon to follow. He said the city will get $4 to $5 million a
year in new ad valorem taxes from the project. Watkins
talked about his $80 million Whitney Place development
in Fondren, saying construction would begin in the fall
of 2011. Watkins has now got his teeth into the
Metrocenter Mall by purchasing the 240,000-square-foot
Belk building which he plans to rent to the city of
Jackson. He plans to turn the 1.2 million square foot
Metrocenter Mall - the largest building in the state - into
an upscale designer outlet mall for the entire state,
including an indoor “wave pool” that will be open all
year. Watkins said the list of downtown development
projects “is almost infinite.” He said if he had another 200
downtown luxury apartments, he could rent them in
one day. He said several demographic trends are converging
to generate this downtown renewal: urbanization,
better race relations, later marriage, fewer children
and older parents. The cost of commuting - both in
terms of time and gas - is another big factor. “People are
either going to have to find new jobs closer to where
they live or get new homes closer to where they work
and it’s going to happen a lot faster than I thought - in
the next five years.”Watkins praised Jackson. “What other
city are you five minutes from deer hunting?” He said the
Riverwalk would be “a game changer,” and foresaw a day
when you could boat from Lake Hico to downtown
along a beautiful city river. Watkins also plans to turn the
old Eastland Courthouse building into a school of music
- the Julliard of the South - with 300 full-time students
and 100 faculty members. He mentioned Old Capitol
Green and the District of Eastover as other big projects in
the works. “None of it would be done without tax credits,”
he told the Rotarians. “It would cost 50 percent
more.” Shown are (from left) Watkins, Jason Goree and
Rotarian Andy Young.
New New
Classified Ad Rates
Reach 11,144 homes
in the most affluent area of Mississippi.
Cash or Check in Advance or Credit Card Only.
FOR RENT
NEW ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER.
2BR, 1BA nicely furnished peaceful
courtyard apartment. Off-site garage
parking included. 1 week exclusive
use per month, 6 month minimum.
$495 per month. Immediate availability.
601.942.5087. (1/27)
-----------------------------------------------------
HELP WANTED
COMPANY DRIVERS and owner
operators: New dedicated contract in
Vicksburg. Blowin’and Goin’year
round O/O: Line Haul + 100% fuel
surcharge. Company: $.34/mile, great
hometime CDL-A, clean MVR. 3 yrs
exp. req. Call Shannon: 877-948-3625.
(1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
RED OAK FIREWOOD for sale. Free
delivery and stacking. 601-540-4014
or 601-500-1323. (1/27)
-----------------------------------------------------
MADISON - RIDGELAND - Flowood
Painting and Pressure Washing 25
years experience, dependable, and
reasonable. Call Dan at 601-856-0094
or 601-906-8682 for a free estimate.
(2/17/11)
-----------------------------------------------------
REAL ESTATE
BRANDON/PEARL 3/2 splitplan, fireplace,
2 car garage, patio, large yard
NICE! Can be a lease or lease purchase
6013315700 (6/2)
-----------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL NOTICES
MAGNOLIA AIR QUALITY. HVAC,
Airduct, and Dryer vent cleaning. 601-
906-9803 or 601-500-2806 (3/24/11)
-----------------------------------------------------
STATEWIDE
FREE Foreclosure Listings. Over
400,000 properties nationwide. LOW
Down Payment. Call NOW! 1-800-
860-1332. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
City Center
Continued from Page One
With little economic development to generate sales and
property taxes to pay for it, McGee said the city will have
to issue bonds to cover its construction. He said taxes
won’t be raised to pay for it.
The Ridgeland Public Library, police department and
municipal court system are already located near the site,
McGee said, making it the perfect spot in which to relocate
city hall.
The site will be connected to West Jackson Street by
Madison Avenue and the area’s multipurpose trails.
Motorists would also have easy access to the site from the
Trace, according to the Ridgeland Area Master Plan
(RAMP).
BETSY LILES, owner of B. Fine Art Jewelry on West
Jackson, likes the idea of having the city center located
near the historic Jackson Street Overlay District.
“It will be nice to have the library, police and city services
together,” she said. “It will have a good feeling.” She
also likes the fact that the center will have a large green
space, an area that she believes will be perfect for Jackson
Street’s annual Hamstock festival.
The event was held in June last year and is a Memphis
in May-sanctioned barbecue cookoff. Last year, Lyles said
a portion of Madison Avenue had to be closed to accommodate
the event. “This will mean less people in the
road,” she said.
The center is on land that was previously home to a concrete
factory owned by Jackson Ready-Mix, and Madison
Materials, a beam manufacturer.
McGee said Madison Materials was closed, but building
materials and other equipment are still located on the site.
As part of the purchase agreement, the company would
be responsible for clearing the area.
Purse Snatching
Continued from Page One
ing to e-mails, the victim suffered no broken bones and
no head or face injuries. The e-mail stated that the woman
did suffer scrapes to her left shoulder, back and hands.
The suspects escaped with the woman’s purse and $150
in cash.
She was wearing tall leather boots, something that likely
protected her feet and legs during the attack, the e-mail
stated.
The incident occurred around 9:30 or 10 o’clock that
night. The woman was released from the hospital on
December 12.
WATTS DIDN’T know if the suspect was driving the
vehicle or riding as a passenger.
He said detectives have thrown the book at the suspect,
but haven’t been able to charge him with the pursesnatching,
because the victims have been unable to identify
him in a photo lineup.
“They (the detectives) will do a couple of more lineups
and hope that the victims pick him out,” he said.
977-8122
Ask for Beth
Published Weekly on Thursdays,
Distributed by Mail to Paid Subscribers.
Deadline: Noon Thursday
Line ads - 50 cents per word, $5 minimum per run
To submit an ad, e-mail sun@northsidesun.com
Street Address: 246 Briarwood Drive, Jackson, MS 39206
The he Northside Sun....
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 16709, Jackson, MS 39236
AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Train for
high paying Aviation Career. FAA
approved program. Financial aid if
qualified - Job placement assistance.
CALL Aviation Institute of
Maintenance 866-455-4317. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from
Home. ?Medical ?Business ?Paralegal
?Accounting ?Criminal Justice. Job
placement assistance. Computer
available. Financial Aid if qualified.
Call 888-899-6914. www.Centura
Online.com (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC AUCTION. 300+ Travel
Trailers, Camp Houses and Mobile
Homes. NO MINIMUM PRICE! Online
bidding available.Saturday, January
29th @ 10am. Carencro, LA.
www.hendersonauctions.com 225-
686-2252. MS Lic # 266. Firm Lic #
136. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
DRIVER - DRIVE KNIGHT IN 2011.
Daily or Weekly Pay, Top Equipment,
27 Service Centers, Van and refrigerated.
CDL-A with 3 months OTR experience.
800-414-9569, www.driveknight.com
(1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
DRIVERS - Company. FFE seeks 1
year experienced OTR. ($1,000 Sign-
On Bonus)! Start your new career,
Students Welcome! Also seek Owner
Operators. Call 800-569-9232 or
recruit@ffex.net (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
DRIVERS - FOOD TANKER DRIVERS
NEEDED. OTR positions available
NOW! CDL-A with Tanker REQUIRED.
Outstanding pay and benefits!. Call a
recruiter TODAY! 877-484-3031. www.
oakleytransport.com (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
SEC TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING. CDL
and refresher classes start every
Monday. Free tuition if you qualify,
jobs available now! Call 1-877-285-
8621 Mon. - Fri., 8 am - 5 pm C#618.
(1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
SEND FLOWERS TO YOUR VALEN-
TINE! Starting at just $19.99. Go to
www.proflowers.com/unique to
receive an extra 20% off your order or
call 1-888-685-3714. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
CUSTOM BUILT MODULAR HOMES!
Painted sheetrock walls, 6/12 pitch
roofs, 2x6 exterior walls. More affordable
than you think! Your floorplan or
ours. CALL US TODAY! 601-932-5017.
(1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
ATTENTION DIABETICS with
Medicare. Get a FREE Talking Meter
and diabetic supplies at NO COST,
plus FREE home delivery! Best of all,
this meter eliminates painful finger
pricking! Call 888-557-4869. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
Madison
&
Relocation
209 CLERMONT
DRIVE
Beautifully Designed
NEW Home in St. Ives
subdivision! App. 4,000
sq. ft. w/ 5BR/3.5BA &
all the latest amenities.
$548,000. MLS#224980.
Call Billie Shaw
601-906-7010.
542 TWIN
CEDARS DRIVE
Ideal Madison
Location on 2.91 ac.
in Twin Cedars S/D.
App. 4,988 sq. ft.
with 4BR/4.5BA,
Office + 3 Bonus
Rooms. MUST SEE
TO APPRECIATE! $585,000. MLS#224431. Call Billie Shaw
601-906-7010 or Jim Jerden 601-906-9008.
Southern Realty
DIVORCE with or without Children
$125.00. With FREE name change
documents and marital settlement
agreement. Fast and easy. Call us
24hrs./7days: 1-888-789-0198. www.
CourtDivorceService.com (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
Immediate part-time openings in the
NAVY RESERVE. Don't leave your current
position, just add to it. Flexible
schedule. Great pay & benefits. Call
Monday-Friday 800-852-7621. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
DRIVERS - Hornady Transportation.
Miles, money and home time! Start
up to 42 cpm. Sign-on bonus available.
Great benefits!! Great hometime!!
OTR experience required. No
felonies. Lease purchase available.
800-441-4271 X MS-100. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
DRIVERS - Regional Van Drivers. 35-
37 cpm based on experience. BCBS
Benefits Package. Home EVERY week.
CDL-A with one year experience
required. Call 888-362-8608, or apply
at www.averittcareers.com. Equal
Opportunity Employer. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY: If you
had hip replacement surgery
between 2005 - present and suffered
problems requiring a second revision
surgery you may be entitled to compensation.
Attorney Charles Johnson.
1-800-535-5727. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
The Sun will run
FREE ADS
for pets found.
Call
601-977-8122
Madison
(601) 856-8899
www.SRandR.com
*OWN 20 ACRES* Only $129/mo.
$13,900 near growing El Paso, Texas
(safest city in America!) Low down, no
credit checks, owner financing, Free
map/pictures. *866-383-8302*
www.sunsetranches.com (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB. Send
the gift of wine all year long! 2 bottles
each month from award-winning
wineries around the world. Call 888-
671-4187 and get FREE SHIPPING!
(1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------
SEND FLOWERS TO YOUR VALEN-
TINE! Starting at just $19.99. Go to
www.proflowers.com/unique to
receive an extra 20% off your order or
call 1-888-685-3714. (1/20)
-----------------------------------------------------