Abdul Lala and employees of Lala Enterprises pitched their plans for a large downtown development to the public this morning at the Quality Inn on Roebuck Dr.
Lala wants to build a large Hyatt Place franchise hotel and 1,000 person banquet hall downtown near the police station to partner with the Riley Center in bringing convention business to Meridian - but there's a catch. Lala said there is not enough room for two hotels downtown, and that he will not build the hotel if the city chooses to go ahead with the Threefoot hotel project as it is currently planned.
Project manager Dede Mongollon pitched Lala's ideas to locals today. She said that in addition to hotel and banquet space, the facility would include on site parking, along with a possible Starbucks, sundry shop, and gift shop.
The development would cost $30 million dollars, and none of it would be put up by the taxpayers. For the Threefoot project, the city would have to make an investment of more than $14 million in bonds.
Mongollon suggested that the Threefoot building be developed into retirement housing rather than a hotel.
She said Lala enterprises has so far had a "mixed response" from the city, who like the idea of not investing any taxpayer money, but do not like the idea of giving up on historical preservation. The Hyatt place would be all new construction and would require the demolition of several downtown buildings.
Look for more on this story in tomorrow's Meridian Star.
Local News
9:23 a.m. Lala pitches hotel to the public
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In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
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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
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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.
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Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
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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.
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