Talking
Jackson up:
Q & A with Mayor Harvey Johnson
(DBJ
Executive Editor Jack Criss recently sat down with Jackson
Mayor Harvey Johnson at his downtown office to discuss the
city and the mayor’s plans.)
DBJ:
To start off with: what’s ahead for Jackson in 2003?
Mayor
Johnson: There are a number of projects coming on-line...it’s
been a very exciting year so far, even at this early stage.
Our train station will be completed, Union Station, and
will have a very significant impact for the western part
of our downtown area. It’s a $20 million project that
we’re looking forward to finalizing. Also in 2003,
we will have the first phase of the Farish Street project
completed, an entertainment district that will be similar
to Beale Street. We’re going to resurrect that area
with new sewer lines, new sidewalks and so forth. The hope
is that we will see some businesses develop there. I’m
sure that we will.
DBJ:
Speaking of business development, is the City going to offer
any special economic incentives to get them there, to entice
them?
Mayor
Johnson: Well, we offer the same types of incentives
that are common with other municipalities in the state that
are allowed to do so. One thing we’ve done here in
Jackson recently is go to the State Legislature and gotten
legislation passed that will allow tax abatements to be
offered to developers who convert commercial structures
into residential structures. That’s one incentive
that is very attractive, I think. We also are an Entitlement
Community, under the Community Development Bloc Grant Program,
so with that we have a storefront improvement grant whereby
the City can supply up to $20,000 in matching monies to
businesses to improve the facades and fronts of their buildings.
This is unique to us. Jackson is also an Enterprise Community
so we have the advantage of those incentives and the downtown
area is included in that designated zone.
DBJ:
This improvement won’t take place overnight, of course...
Mayor
Johnson: No, it’s definitely an incremental process.
But these projects coming on in 2003 will supply the foundation
and provide confidence to businesses concerning the transformation
of downtown Jackson. On another issue, we rolled out the
concept for a convention center complex last year and we
will be seeking authority in 2003 from the legislature to
move ahead with financing and construction on a downtown
center.
DBJ:
Given all of this, could downtown Jackson ever see the renaissance
that, for instance, Memphis saw in its downtown district?
Mayor Johnson: I think we can, yes. But in Memphis,
it took 12 to 15 years to get going. Development is, in
my mind, a very incremental process and you have to get
infrastructure items in place in order to build up to a
certain level and that’s what we are currently doing.
These projects we’re working on now will prepare us
for and lay the groundwork for such a renaissance here.
There wasn’t much downtown housing in Memphis fifteen
years ago to speak of, and now look at it. We need to work
on getting the residential development going here in Jackson
as well, and we’re on the right track. We have about
$400 million in construction projects on the board in downtown
right now, so we’re certainly progressing.
DBJ:
Finally, what would you name as your proudest accomplishment
as Mayor?
Mayor
Johnson: I get asked that all the time and it’s
a moving target, really. Obviously, it depends on when the
question is asked. I hesitate to point at one project but,
if I had to, it would be the Capital City Convention Center.
It’s a project that is long overdue and that have
to have in order to be competitive regionally with other
similar-sized markets. I’m also proud of the $35 million
general obligation bond we passed in 1998 with no opposition
that got the city in a development mode. We’re providing
services to areas that previously did not have them and
that was one of my campaign initiatives. Plus, this administration
is doing a lot of work with Jackson youth that is incredibly
beneficial both to them and to our city’s future.
I’m proud of being able to help these kids and change
their lives for the better. I have visited every public
school in the city, all 56, and I am currently starting
my second such tour.
DBJ:
Thank you very much for your time, Mayor. DBJ
