from staff reports
Meridian City Council President Bobby Smith says he fully expects the city to honor its agreement with HRI properties and continue with the development of the Threefoot project.
Smith said he hopes new developments on Thursday, which he declined to discuss, could mean unanimous support from councilmen.
"I can't talk about it yet but it may allow us to get all five on board," Smith said. "This is a once in a lifetime offer. I know times are hard, but this is something we need to do."
Councilmen who support the project include Smith, Ward 2 Councilwoman Mary Perry and Ward 4 Councilman Jesse Palmer. The two who have opposed it: Ward 3's Barbara Henson and Ward 1's George Thomas.
It would take three councilmen to oppose the project to terminate the contract with HRI, which is what newly-elected Mayor Cheri Barry said she wants to happen.
If the agreement is terminated, the city would owe HRI $1 million for the costs they have incurred on the project and would have to figure out what to do with the dilapidated Threefoot building.
If the city decides to continue with the project, in which HRI will renovate the historic downtown building into a Courtyard by
Marriott hotel, they will be obligated to guarantee $14 million to the $55 million project.
A representative from White Construction, a general contractor involved with the project, said it would cost between $2.2 and $4.2 million to "mothball," or temporarily preserve, the building. City officials said it would cost somewhere in the millions to demolish.
"I'm concerned as the mayor what kind of commitment this is going to put financially on our city," Barry said Wednesday. "We (the city's administration and its financial and legal advisers) have all decided it is not in the best interest of the city of Meridian for the taxpayers to make this project go forward."
According to documents obtained by The Meridian Star, HRI has receipts totaling nearly $1.3 million on the project to this point. This week, they opened the renovated King Edward in downtown Jackson.
Local News
December 17, 2009
Smith: Threefoot could soon have full support
- Local News
-
-
Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
-
Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
-
Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
-
Morning update for, Friday, May 25, 2012
-
Celebrating Jimmie
- Feed your mind at Nexus Hero Brown Bag Lunch
-
Man faces kidnapping charges
- More Local News Headlines
-
Man dies of gunshot wound
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
