Jackson Jambalaya

Good job, WJTV.

That was confusing--wjtv says DW transferred $50K to Farish St. partnership that was intended for Metro project. Wjnt then states that the remaining partners in Metro could account for every cent of the $50K--I thought it was transferred? Personally don't think Watkins is going to make an amateur move that could ruin him over $50K. And I've never seen a development project of this scale that didn't have dozens of collection actions--the funding comes in phases, among other things and it is common and I bet the suits are resolved soon. Finally, if they are going to investigate, why not get State Auditor or someone like that--City Counsel couldn't investigate what (or who) Kennef stokes had for lunch! (i realize State A may not have jurisdiction--but a real auditor of some kind was the point.)

Show us the Daiquiri Bars!

The State Auditor could definately audit these funds - they are public funds being spent by a public body. QUESTION IS: Would he? So far, he has kept his eyes closed to whatever shenanigans the Hinds County Board of Supervisors wants to do - be it Airwaves and its buddy/buddy contracts via Robert Graham, the contract for redistricting with NAACP President Derick Johnson, or the various activities at the EOC.

Good luck if you are waiting on the Auditor - he's currently chasing a deputy clerk in some justice court office.

Watkins' has cash flow problems.

5:42 so does every developer in the world. Idiot.

Davey must be a in bad way. Doesn't even have $3300 to pay his property taxes on his Fondren crib.

Feel better about yourself, 8:56? Ain't done shit in your life except stalk blog sites.

Signs of a pattern here. The State Tax Commission has Watkins Development jammed for another $6400. OUCH.

Christ on a cracker, Curt. Just spoke with Stanley Kubrick, and he would love to have his FMJ quotes back. "Pack the gear?" Really? I get that you're a tough guy, hence the bullet avatar. I know you once held a spoon wielding robber at gunpoint, check. But that's a nice bucket of Schadenfreude you accusing Ross Adams of a high-tech lynching. It's not like he started a blog called "Downtown Jackson Trash" alleging that guys that paid cash out of their pockets to build the first downtown apartments were "trash."

Please stop confusing your JD as some sort of mandate from the gawdalmighty for you to rub two brain cells together to weigh in on every topic under the sun.

HOLY RETRO METRO. There's a smoke screen in West Jackson.

Watkins was the managing partner of Retro Metro, the company hired by the city to renovate the old Belk building. Last week, we learned he was bought out by his three partners.

...

"We are finishing the project," comments LeRoy Walker.

When asked what still needed to be done,Walker responded, "Painting the walls, wiring and carpeting."

Walker says they still need about one-and-a-half million dollars to finish the work.

...

Walker and his two partners hope to move forward with this project without any more concerns about former partner Watkins.

"We’re not casting blame on anyone. It was a mistake made by the entire group. We should have had hands on the pulse closer. We made a promise to the city we are going to make this happen,” adds Walker.

Right now, they have almost 80-percent of the renovation done. But, they are at somewhat of a standstill until they can get more cash.

9:54 sounds more like Walter. Crowley was doing your job while you two p^$$ies were hiding under your desks. The story is about Watkins. Go stalk Crowley somewhere else while the adults talk.

Whitney Place? Yup, Watkins is late paying those property taxes to the tune of $12,200.

Then you have the property taxes for the former Belk Store at Metrocenter. You know, the building that Jackson taxpayers must cough up another $250,000 to pay for internal wiring?

Those taxes of $66,300 are also overdue.

Did you know that LeRoy?

With the HindsCo tax sale coming up in six days someone better hustle up some serious dinero.

After the president is re-elected and the Democrats return the national debt to the down trend, the Pentagon will bare the blunt of the budget cuts. Mississippi will get parts of the restructured military-industrial complex in our backyard with commercial space filling up in Jackson as a result. Watkins and his partners will clean up then.

Karma is not a friendly lady. With everyone starting to look a little more intensely at his business, I think Mr. Watkins is about to pay for the way he does business.

When the Whitney Place/Save the Strip debacle went down, I was told that sweet Mr. Watkins had threatened tenants of that building that should they get involved in the petition, he would kick them to the curb as soon as he acquired the property.

This man does not have the best interest of Jackson at heart.

Ok, now let me get this straight. This is the same guy that brought us the King Edward after 40 years of ruin, the Standard Life Building, is bringing the Capri/Pix theater back, saving Farish Street from bankruptcy a few years back and God knows what else for this city. I don't recall a lot of public money in those projects, other than the usual tax abatements that everybody gets for new projects.

So, while all this anger and hate? Why is everybody demonizing this man over another project that has little if any public money in it. It looks to me like he's the one with the risk, and apparently is taking a beating on cost overruns on the metrocenter project. But, people, it's HIS risk and his loss, not taxpayer money. Good grief. There are way too many self-righteous haters out there; or, perhaps just a bunch of jealous people. The more good things Watkins does with his projects only generates good for this city.

I don't recall a lot of public money in those projects, other than the usual tax abatements that everybody gets for new projects.

...

But, people, it's HIS risk and his loss, not taxpayer money.

These statements above, alone, clearly demonstrate your ignorance of the matter.

No they don't 3:31. They are correct. Substantiate your accusation....DO IT.

3:31 - actually, i believe you are simply demonstrating your prejudice against this man. I guess I should say the $50k for wiring at metro is taxpayer money. On a $5 million project for the city, it ain't a lot of risk for the city. as for king edward and standard life, show me the money, if you are "clearly" not ignorant of the matter, as you suggest.

4:01 & 4:08 must be JJ greenhorn(s).

6:21 must be a jerk

Where is the phucking proof from 3;31? Woosie dissappeared.

WHERE IS THE PROOF SH?

3:31...WHERE ARE YOU?

Ben Allen...WHERE ARE YOU?

Still waiting 3:31 or 6:18!!!! Answer the question little man.

Still waiting losers.

YAWN.