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Updated: 7:11 PM Jan 6, 2009
Threefoot Project Passes Council
Meridian, Miss. The Meridian City Council Tuesday approved on a 3-2 vote a project to renovate the historic downtown Threefoot Building. Posted: 11:03 AM Jan 6, 2009Reporter: Tametria Conner Email Address: tametria.conner@wtok.com |
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Posted by: jim
Location: meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:25 PM
I would like to compliment Mrs. Henson and Mr. Thomas on taking a stand against the threefoot project. What elese will mayor Smith come up with to get taxpayers to pay for. I have just about had all I can stand doing things for the Riley Center. The Riley center really hasn't done anything for the average Meridian citizen. Wonder why Mayor Smith can't spen his time doing something to get some REAL JOBS (not service minimum wage jobs)or Meridian citizens tjhat are hurting. Maybe he will b gone come election time!!
Posted by: Annn
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I would like to commend Dr. Thomas and Councilwoman Henson for their good common sense. What in the world are John Harris, Mary Perry and Jesse Palmer thinking? Who will be staying in the hotel? Do you really think Meridian has that many tourists that the Threefoot Hotel can survive? What about all those other hotels in Meridian? Maybe the Threefoot hotel will have at least three occupants? What do you think Mr. Palmer, Mrs. Perry and Mr. Harris? Are you three going to stay there?
Posted by: Scott
Location: Young
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:14 PM
It's a waste of our (the taxpayers) money!We can't get the streets paved in Meridian' so why do we ndd to throw away money?
Posted by: Nancy
Location: Meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I think its wonderful that they are restoring The Three Foot Building and making it into a hotel.It would be ashame to see such a beautiful sight just go away.
Posted by: Malcome
Location: Marion
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Mayor Smith and the city cancial have lost their minds
Posted by: WHAT???
Location: MERIDIAN
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:05 PM
This project is crazy? First America losses its mind and vote B.O. into the presidency then Mayor John Robert Smith oh wait we all know his story...
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:03 PM
jesse palmer was bribed by downtown merchants. seek and you shall find.
Posted by: Concerned Resident
Location: Meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Obviously we have a bunch of uneducated idiots in our city council and I say we demand there resignation TODAY!! To vote for the tax payers to pay for a garbage hotel that should be torn down vs. a private individual payee???? Are they on some of those methamphetamine's?
Posted by: ivan
Location: meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:50 PM
It seems to me if the three foot building is such a city icon why is it in the present condition? Looks like that it should have been maintaned the past years.
Posted by: JESSE
Location: NEW MERIDIAN ANNEXED AREA
on Jan 6, 2009 at 08:00 PM
THE THREE FOOT PROJECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN VOTED ON BY THE PEOPLE OF MERIDIAN. THE PROJECT WILL NEVER WORK. REALLY----HOW MANY PEOPLE REALLY CARE ABOUT BRICK AND MORTAR. PEOPLE ONLY CARE ABOUT SERVICES AND BENIFITS YOU PROVIDE FOR THEM??? MRS. PERRY SAID LOCAL PRIVATE INVESTORS AGREED TO BACK THE PROJECT FINANCIALLY, IF THERE IS A SHORTFALL. --- HAS THE CASH MONEY BEEN PUT IN THE BANK??? ----- HOW MANY CARS ARE PARKING IN THE CITY GARAGE?? HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE RILEY CENTER MAKING. WHY DON'T THEY PUBLISH A P & L STATEMENT OF THEIR STATUS. LET MRS PERRY, MR HARRIS AND MR PALMER FINANCE THE BUILDING AND SEE HOW MUCH PROFIT THEY MAKE. JESSE
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:55 PM
I, for one, want to send out congratulations to John Robert Smith and the current city council. John Robert has secured his legacy in the folklore of the Queen City with his much wanted revitalization project. Yes, with this sure-to-fail project on an old building that should be razed, John Robert has secured his place as Meridian's very own George W. Bush and the city council will be that of the last Congress. Congratulations! Now Meridian will have to pay for their idiocy for years to come! Simply put, there isn't enough in downtown Meridian for people to do in order to justify a hotel such as this, especially when public funds are paying for it. I hope they have some unannounced plans for more things than the Riley Center, otherwise no one will have any incentive to stay in the hotel.
Posted by: wm
on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:54 PM
I know a lot of people are not for the project but I think it is what is best for Meridian.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Sales tax revenues are down, at least according to the state. What if HRI folds? What if they find the need more money? Who is going to pay this $14 million bill? Watch and see.
Posted by: Brian
Location: Meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:59 PM
The danger of the building should've been addressed YEARS ago, it was dangerous then as it is now. Where the former owners fined for the state it was in?? No, not that I remember. I think there was pressure to do something ever since the city purchased the building, and they were probably needing to unload it before a lawsuit against the city came up. The mayor certainly didn't want to look like a fool for buying a building falling apart for $1 million dollars. Bottom line now, however, is that we need to support it because it's been passed, although I agree with many here that this is not the best time to do this project. Streets, bridges, budget cuts within the city, etc. those all point to this being a bad time to do this, but it's been passed so let's get behind it.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:55 PM
My letter to the City Council tells it all. “THREEFOOT” OR “THREE PIECE HOTEL” The citizens of Meridian have been given several different stories by the City on the Threefoot building and it’s changing condition. Why? The City only recently purchased the Threefoot building and any responsible organization purchasing a fifteen story building certainly would have had it inspected for its structural integrity. and knew it was going to cost ten plus million dollars to put it in shape prior to being used for any purpose. Mr. B. B. Archer wrote a few weeks ago that when the Threefoot building was constructed that it revitalized downtown Meridian. Please note that the City was revitalized by an “Office Building” not a hotel. The City has the same opportunity today; update the Threefoot building into a new “Modern Office Complex” and let Mr. Lola build his new “Modern Hotel” to compliment the Threefoot Building modernization. Let’s face the facts: 1. The Threefoot building was built as an Office Building. 2. To add the water supply plumbing for 100 plus bathrooms plus sewerage disposal will be a monumental task requiring many structural changes. a. The pipes will be “Add-On” and not be part of the structure. 3. The Threefoot Hotel will actually be in “THREE” locations, not one. That’s correct, three locations, the Hotel, the Parking Garage and now the Convention Center. How many people want to park their car a block away from their Hotel? How many men and women want to walk a block, in all types of weather, to go to the Conference Center? The fact is: the “Threefoot Hotel” will be the “Three Piece Hotel”. Is this what we really need or want?
Posted by: carl l.
Location: lauderdale co.
on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:45 PM
They should turn downtown into a zoo and name john robert smith zoo keeper because it is already full of white elephants.
Posted by: Lee
Location: Meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Now i truly understand why the city pressed so hard for annexation. Someone needed to pick up the tab on a worthless building that will not nearly generate 60 million dollars. No one wants to shop downtown nor stay downtown in any hotel. Someone please tell our city officials to take a trip to Hattiesburg and see what they're developing. Gone are the days of downtown development.
Posted by: Betty
Location: Meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:15 PM
During the WTOK interview with these politicians, look at the condemned City Police Dept. building. What does this say about our city officials' priorties? I understand that Council-woman Perry is limited on the ammount of time she can spend in the Police building because she's allergic to mold. Yet, she supported the city spending money on a recreational building. When will the condemned Police building be demolished and a new one built? Probably in a new administration, since it does not appear to be important in this one. By the way, I remember money for a new Police beuilding being included in the money for the City Hall rennovations. What happened to that money?
Posted by: Barbara
Location: Meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:07 PM
I think the citizens of Meridian have been taken advantage of, big time. Who in their right mind thinks this project is viable? I have lived in Meridian all of my life, and yes the Threefoot building has always been the icon of downtown, but face the facts, IT IS JUST BRICK & MORTAR folks!! It has not been made public, except by a few in the "know", but the Riley Center is losing money! Why does the Mayor and his voices on the City Council want to put up millions of our tax dollars to finance a project to tie in with a failing project? Think about it, how many people come to a show at the Riley Center from a distance where they would need to stay overnight?? Few, if any!! Then after that one night by a few, who is going to come to Meridian to occupy this luxury hotel the rest of the time?? I think Meridian has more than enough hotels & motels out on the Interstate, near restaurants by the way, while how many restaurants are in downtown Meridian?? ONE???? Next election coming soon.....
Posted by: FP
Location: Meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 05:15 PM
There goes my vote for Mayor Smith and Councilman Harris. More unpaved streets, more urban blight, more property off the tax rolls. Absolutely nuts.
Posted by: J D
on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:56 PM
How much later this year are they going to begin on it? We all was told they was ready to go before the end of the year last year . I think it going to cost more they are said. I'm glad I live in the county . W hat is the word on 22nd ave. bridge . One of city was said they looking 2 million to fix it . How much new fitre station on 39 going to cost. But there pot hole in just about every road drive on in town. We see why be are leave and not looking back. But we the people keep vote the same leader back in every elect .Till vote these people out it will keep happen the same old way . WE NEED JOBS NOT HOTELS .
Posted by: c.
Location: meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:36 PM
That building was rotten 30 years ago, when it was still occupied. But no worries, they will start looking and adding up all the structural damage 'soon', just as soon as we hand over the cash. There's no way this can fail, Meridian is a tourist and recreation Mecca - who needs Vegas??! Maybe we should waste a few million on another fake advertising slogan ('a new latitude - 88*', or whatever - what does that even MEAN? Nothing at all, that's what). SMITH, PERRY, HARRIS, PALMER. Remember those names.
Posted by: James
Location: COUNTY
on Jan 6, 2009 at 03:24 PM
I just glad the council need something .Maybe we can get on to something else . Get jobs here we can have all buildings in world but no jobs it not going to matter. I just glad I live in the county .
Posted by: Ricky
Location: meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Another money pit for the good ole boys. This council and mayor wastes millions when they can not even maintain the infrastructure. I'm glad I moved to the county. How many more will move from a town that is doomed because of the incompetent politicians? Meridian should take care of current and past problems before going further in debt. Wake up meridian folks go vote get rid of the current fokls who always go against the wishes of the people.
Posted by: william
Location: meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:49 PM
what a joke three foot building will cost over 2 x what they say
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:32 PM
and the good ole boy network lives on!
Posted by: Hubert
Location: Chicago
on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:22 PM
I am so happy that the wonderful Threefoot will be saved, and made into a hotel , an apparently good idea to me. I am a native of Meridian/Collinsville and still love the town. Hugh Clay
Posted by: sick of hotels
Location: hotelville, usa
on Jan 6, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Oh great, another hotel to shack up all the tourist in Meridian.
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: meridian
on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Unbelievable!!! We're stilll waiting on the city hall project to be completed. |
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O.K. I KNOW MAYOR SMITH AND THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN RUN'N MERIDIAN 4 ALMOST 20 YEARS NOW U GUYS FEEL LIKE THEIR NOT DOING THEIR JOBS. UR RIGHT MERIDIAN BEEN NTHE SAME POSITION FOR 20 YEARS MAYBE THERE ARE A FEW NEW STORES AND HOTEL BUT BASICALLY WE STILL HAVE CITIZENS WHO R COMFORTABLE WITH MEDIOCRISY SO U VOTE 4 THE RAY BOSWELLS AND THE JOHN ROBERT SMITHS ELECTION AFTER ELECTION. WHY BECAUSE UR AFRAID IF U TRY SOMETHING NEW U MIGHT NOT LIKE IT. WELL THAT AN ESCAPE GOAT WAY OUT, SO DONT BOO HOO 2 ME U VOTED 4 WHO U FELT WOULD REPRESENT THE CITY THE BEST AND THE ECONOMY U GUY ARE SO WORRY ABOUT IT WILL GET WORST BEFORE IT GETS BETTER AND MY NEW PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL STRAIGHTEN OUT THE MESS U AND UR BUSH/ MCCAIN /REPUBLICANS COMRADES SCREW UP. SO STAY N UR BOX BECAUSE THINK N OUTSIDE THE BOX IS 4 SUCCESSFUL ACCOMPLISH PEOPLE NOT THE NEGATIVE WE CANT DO THIS R THAT BECAUSE WE'RE MERIDIAN AND MERIDIAN IS IN MISSISSIPPI COMMENTS LIKE I SAID N THE FIRST POST NOWHERE ALABAMA IS WHERE U NEED 2 B
The figures changed every week, and will continue to change. $45 million, $50 million, $54 million, now $60 million? Where does it stop? The man from HRI clearly stated in the public hearing that destruction costs of the Threefoot would be between $2-$3.5 million. Is a downtown hotel really worth 20 times the costs of renovation?
Well I Guess First Things First,If Thats The Way John Robert Wants To Look At The Three Foot Project,I Think Street Paving Should Come In There Near First Place,If You Dont Beleive It Ride Across 20th. St. From State Bvld. To 23rd Ave And See How Bad You Think The Pavement Is.
TO "Q CITY " I'M NOT SURE WHAT MERIDIAN ( YOU) ARE LIVING IN BUT MERIDIAN IS NOT GROWING IF YOU HAPPENED TO WATCH THE NEWS PIER 1 AND GOODY'S IS CLOSING THE GOLDEN MOON CUT BACK TO THREE DAYS A WEEK AND I'M SURE WITH THE POOR ECONOMY MORE STORES WILL BE CLOSING SOON SO WHO WANTS TO COME TO THIS RUN DOWN TOWN WITH NO STORES TO STAY AT THIS HIGH PRICED EYESORE ---- GET REAL !
Mayor Smith and the counicale should be tared and feather and run out of town for pulling this over the people in Meridian. Every night stores and buss. are closing. Every smart person is holding on every pennies they can. Tax are raised dayle and the city does this. Who are these people wo are backing it. Is the money in the bank. They wount be there to sign the ck. when this goes bust like parking garage Rilley center
UR RIGHT EDUCATION IS HOLDING US BACK SO WHY WAS IT SO HARD PASS SCHOOL BONDS, 2 REBUILD AND EQUIP OUR KIDS. IT LIKE AND MARRIAGE U CANT HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER. SO LET NOT STOP HERE LET'S THINK EVEN BIGGER NEXT TIME 2DAY THE THREEFOOT 2MORROW THE WORLD. Q CITY IS COMING BACK LIKE THE RISE OF THE PHEONIX.
So they now have to get consultants into the building to see how to replace the windows and bricks. That should already be done. And Ms. Perry's interview says the private people backed half the bond amount, but WTOK showed a backing of just over 2 million dollars. Which is correct? This is STUPID. Watch and see. Our children and grandchildren will see it.
Thanks the idiots of Meridian (aka 3 council and d.a. mayor) u just forclosed on house because I will not be able to afford the taxes on house to help pay for your little wet dream. You four make me sick. When cant we spend this much effort on getting some industry into the city instead spending this money on a hotel that no one is going to use. The people of the city of Meridian need to stand up and take back this town from the dictatorship. I know who I will be voting for next election and none of you are even got a dog in that rat race.
You know we already have 20 or 30 hotels.The police will not answer 911 calls.This is a poorly run sad excuse of a place to live.We need jobs not another way to rob people of money.You can't buy a car cause a tag costs $3,000.Garbage fees are nothing but a robbery program for lauderdale county.Quit abusing people's hard earned money, hey maybe it can sit there like his stupid parking garage.Somebody needs to get control of this town. They was fighting over $6 for jail space, but money is no problem for a hotel.Why don't we just let all the criminals run the streets and close the jails.Then the so called "mayor"could have plenty of money.This project will end up costing well over $120,000,000 before it's over. You know Meridian, pockets have to be lined so the taxpayers can keep suffering.Why don't you use all that money to help elderly people have food,warmth,and be cool in summer.Nobody gonna stay in the middle of a crime infested cesspool.WAKE UP MERIDIAN
A very wise move by the city. If it cost 11 million to destroy or stabalize the building, what other choice could you make.Congratulations on a good move.
What's holding us back is a lack of emphasis on education, Q. Much of it comes from parents, and whether or not they choose to give a rip. Nice grammar on your post by the way. The Threefoot will knock this town to its knees.
Finally Meridian City Council has done something positive for our resident I congratulate all who step up and voted it for the threefoot project. Positive bring Positive so all you who believe Meridian cant growth Meridian cant support this r that sit back and enjoy the ride because Meridian is taking off. So if you looking for a sleepy little town to live in Move 2 Newton R Philly R Quitman and let Meridian growth this time. Without all the negative vibes and people that whats been holding us back for so long we down ourself before we even try
Jesse Palmer was given a lump sum of cash and Lala was given tax credits on all of his properties. Nothing gets in the way of the agenda.
First they annex us against everyone's wishes, they can't look at the ag center and riley center and see all the revenue it isn't bringing in and they can't look at the hotel at the casino that is no only open 3 days a week now and there is actually something to do there. We need jobs and something for our teens to do besides ride the back roads, drink and party but I guess since these people don't have teens that isn't a priority to them. I guess maybe they can stay in the new hotel and procreate.
Come on Mr. Palmer. What happened? What sort of committment does the council have from these potential backers? Perhaps the people passing through downtown will stop and take a picture of the Threefoot Hotel. Naw, don't think so. If it was such a "beacon" of the community, why was it allowed to deteriorate throughout these many years? We have a sad,sad,sad, mayor and council who are not being good stewards over what has been entrusted to them. Oh well!