Friday, September 30, 2011

Today's show on WJNT

Here are the audio recordings for the Kent and Larry on WJNT yesterday and today. Kent and Larry discussed the Convention Center Hotel yesterday. Kent did some research on the cost per square foot and other aspects of the deal. Here ya go.







6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Harve should have Billy McCoy, Steve Holland and the other House Beef Planters be the honorary first guests when his Harvey Johnson Ramada opens up.

Dontcha LOVE Baltimore said...

Here is the situation in Baltimore. We're sure lucky that Harvey and Quentin know what is best for us in Jackson.

01 February 2011: HILTON HOTEL BONDS ARE RATED 'SPECULATIVE' BY STANDARD & POOR'S; OUTLOOK 'NEGATIVE'

The hotel was financed by $305 million in bonds approved by the City Council by a two-vote margin in 2005. Officials for the Baltimore Development Corporation told the council the project was an essential component to reviving the city’s lagging Convention Center business.

Opened in 2008, the hotel has failed to meet projections in its first three years of operation, posting a cumulative $31 million loss through the end of 2009.

Steamed Blue Crabs are GREAT said...

What the hell do they know in Baltimore anyways? They can't afford a new arena and Jackson can't afford one either BUT damn let's build one nonetheless and completely tank the city. How 'bout it Quentin?

The Maryland Public Policy Institute: City can't afford new convention center-arena

Governments across the country have been using federal community block grants to build convention centers and hotels that private developers won't, creating an excess supply. As Steven Malanga writes in his 2010 book, "Shakedown," "the [convention center] building boom has sparked little, if any, economic development."

But you know all of this stuff already right Q? I mean, you are the 2nd best research expert we've got -- because Donna Ladd is the best researcher in the city.

Anonymous said...

FICO CEO: Something Bad is Happening

Hopefully Council Whitjuggernaut will do some actual research before voting to place Jackson property owners on the hook for another $124,000,000+ in general obligation bond debt.

Do you even KNOW Whitwell about all the vacant houses in your ward? Put your damn twitter wand down and find out what the hell is actually going on in Ward 1.

Anonymous said...

The analysis here is missing an assessment of existing hotel space as well as relevant event planning marketing stats.

Event planners need the whole package.

There was inadequate venue space in Jackson. The hotel ballrooms in Jackson were not large enough for many events. 6000 sq ft was not available.

Now there is inadequate hotel room space available to the venue space we have.

The only two hotels that do have enough room space are, to be kind, "dated" and too far from the convention center.

The Edison Wathall is undertaking SOME renovations, but it's the room space that is problematic and to an event planner, too far away from the venue space.

Event planners look for convenience and need to have their attendees in ONE hotel. Activities need to be in easy walking distance from the accomodations.

This plan may be too flawed as suggested, but Jackson needs better hotel space. We have the "draws" for tourists with historic landmarks and a first rate Museum of Art and now, adequate venue space.

We need good hotel space and shuttles to shopping at Highland Village and Fondren until there are enough events to entice boutiques back downtown.

Mississippi could draw large events as many of the elements to do so are already in place. I say Mississippi because the entire state loses out from when Jackson can't compete for big name entertainers and large convention groups.

We need to look at the larger picture as we plan. We need to focus on the demands of those we wish to attract. Who is the market?

And, we need to understand " Rome wasn't built in a day".

To me, that's what's missing from this discussion.

Also missing is the understanding that the local view isn't relevant. The market isn't Jacksonians or even Mississippians. And, the inability to understand that it is the " people from someplace else" who are the market.

Locals/natives are always a miniscule part of any SUCCESSFUL event and AREN'T tourists!

And, rather than beat a drum about failures ( if I read Baltimore and Detroit one more time, I'll puke), it would be more productive to look at cities that have been successful in bringing back tourists and events to their cities. Some even have succeeded in attracting locals back. One would think all our cities have failed in reviving their downtowns.

In successful cities, the state and local governments, the colleges and universities,the business leaders, and citizen volunteers all worked together, welcomed constructive suggestions, studied successful plans from elsewhere and took on a " can do" attitude.

Here, for reasons I can't explain (other than guessing an ingrained inferiority complex that expects failure or racism so toxic that both races need to prove the other incapable or evil and thus doom both to failure) the positive attitude and a cooperative spirit necessary for success in ANY endeavor is always missing. Meager successes are made in spite of the naysayers.
In EVERY success in this community of which I'm aware ( IBC and the MS Museum of Art are examples) it was an uphill battle against the critics at the beginnings.

Anonymous said...

9:39 where you here in 2004?


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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