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Madison accepting bids
to create new town center Bethlehem tree
By ANTHONY WARREN
Sun Staff Writer
PLANS ARE still a go for a project that
will create a new retail and recreational hub
in Madison’s downtown corridor.
City officials are slated to open bids for the
Madison square on January 18.
Community Development Director Alan
Hoops said the city has had a good bit of
interest in the project, and expects three or
four bids to be submitted for consideration.
Originally, the city, along with the Madison
Square Redevelopment Authority (MSRA),
was planning to open bids in mid-August.
However, the deadline for proposals was
extended at the request of two or three interested
parties.
Since the deadline was extended, Hoops
said the city has received several new
inquiries into the project. Most of those
showing interest are from out of state. “I had
someone get in touch with me last week, and
I sent him an RFP,” he said. An RFP is a
request for proposals.
The square will be located on roughly 17
acres of land bordered by Madison Avenue,
U.S. 51, Main Street and Magnolia Street.
MSRA purchased the property on behalf of
the city years ago, with plans to develop it in
the future.
Madison city officials recently brought on
Memphis architect Henry Frank Ricks to
draw up a master plan for the property.
According to a copy of the 25-page master
plan, Ricks envisions a project with professional
and retail space, spots for restaurants, a
120-room boutique hotel and a 25,000square-foot
specialty grocery store.
The square will also include a large public
green space, a main street retail and restaurant
district and an area for city government.
Space will be set aside for a 1,600-seat performing
arts center, a public library and an
18,000-square-foot city hall.
Tulane University, which is currently locat-
ed in part of the old Madison Square Center
for the Arts, will be given an opportunity to
build a permanent facility on the square once
its lease expires. Right now, the New Orleans
school is operating a satellite campus in the
city as part of a three-year pilot program.
If the program is successful, the school will
consider opening a permanent satellite campus
in the city.
A MAJOR FOCAL point of the development
will be a grassy area called the town
square.
Ricks states that the spot “is both the geographic
center of the urban core and heart of
the property.” The plan states that it could
include not only green space, but a civic
pavilion and amphitheater, making it perfect
for meetings and outdoor events like concerts,
picnics, and arts and crafts fairs.
Another public park would be located on
the northeast corner of the property near
Main Street.
In addition to green space, Ricks proposes
a new main street district, to run along a
street parallel to Highway 51.
The street would be a pedestrian-friendly
retail and restaurant hub, with large sidewalks,
trees and landscaping, as well as
pedestrian benches, street lamps, directory
kiosks and signage. Ricks said both national
and local retailers and restaurateurs would be
included in the mix.
RFPs were issued by the city in July.
Developers interested in submitting a proposal
are asked to include a statement that says
whether or not they are planning to lease or
buy the property; a description of the development
team; a statement of qualifications;
and details about their vision for the project.
Hoops said the RFPs will give the city an
idea of what types of retailers builders hope
to bring to the area. “We’re not interested in
just any retailer, it has to be a right fit for
Madison,” he said.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
December 23: Charles and Peggy Furlow. December 24: John and Nell Osborne.
December 25: Wade and Martha McKoy, John and Lynn Odom. December 26: Marion
and Mary Sue Spencer, Annette and Duane Switzer. December 27: Lynn and Jan Ross,
Ralph and Billie Henry. December 28: Bob and Naomi Ridgway. December 29: Phillip
and Terri Galloway, Gary and Becky Conley.
happenings
The Mississippi Museum
of Art will feature an 18th
century creche collection,
“Bethlehem Tree: Younger
Foundation Creche
Collection,” through January
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