Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarHall of Fame members are featured in a center atrium at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience. 

The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience has been branded as a highly interactive – even immersive – experience designed to showcase Mississippi artists and entertainment entrepreneurs. But some local builders and contractors also view the project as an opportunity to show off the quality of their construction work.

A number of East Central Mississippi builders had a hand in building the $45 million immersive arts facility, a sleek, high-tech two-story structure that spans more than 58,000 square feet.

“It’s absolutely a feather in our cap to be part of this exciting project,” said Phillip McLain of McLain Plumbing and Electrical, Inc., which is based in Philadelphia. “It’s just a neat building. It’s been fun to see it come together. When we’ve been walking through working, we’ve found ourselves trying to figure out the bigger picture. But it’s a project where it’s very difficult early on to really be able to picture what the finished product will look like. It’s definitely unique.”

McLain joked that he hoped visitors “were most impressed by the bathrooms,” since his company was involved with that work. While the bathrooms likely won’t be the hallmark of the facility, it’s likely the restrooms will be put to good use, with more than 150,000 visitors expected within the first year of operation.

Bob Luke, a Meridian architect whose firm, LPK Architects, served as the “architects of record” on the project, said that his team worked to incorporate both traditional and modern elements into the project. He said that traditional elements such as red brick and proportionality were designed to honor Mississippi’s past. At the same time, the building has a futuristic look, with large amounts of metal and glass, to recognize where the state is heading.

Luke said it was important to organizers that a significant number of East Central Mississippi and Mississippi-based contractors be used on the project.

“We knew that who did the work was important,” he said. “There is just such a pride among local people about this project. It’s an honor for us all to be a part of it.”

Woodall Electric, which opened in Meridian in 1964, is the electrical contractor for The Max. Some of the company’s responsibilities included lighting, power, controls, fire alarms and emergency backup power. They have installed 3,000 LED light fixtures and 50-plus miles of wire as part of the project.

Brad Woodall, president of Woodall Electric, said the large amount of glass in the building created challenges at time, but he has been happy with how the project has progressed with time.

“Coordination on a project this complex is usually a challenge but it went very well due to good communications between all the parties involved,” he said.

Woodall said he enjoys knowing that the company’s work will be enjoyed by visitors from around the corner and across the globe for years to come.

“We are thankful to have been part of this new landmark in downtown Meridian and look forward to seeing the positive impact it has on our community,” he said.

Luke, the architect, said he hopes that visitors to the center will experience three key emotions – amazement, pride and curiosity. He said that while most of that emotion will be sparked by the actual content of the exhibits inside the center, he also hopes that the design of the building itself can play a part.

He said he believes the finished product has the potential to inspire and even transform lives.

“I think that this is an experience that will make people curious,” he said. “I think it will open up the thought processes and encourage people to think – ‘OK, what do I do where I am right now? How am I influencing people? What else can I do?’ That’s incredibly exciting.”