Ridgeland Hospitality is trying to build a Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, and Tru by Hilton in Ridgeland but has been stopped from doing so by the Ridgeland Board of Aldermen even though the Zoning Board and Mayor Gene McGee have supported its efforts. Meanwhile, the Board greenlights everything requested by a competing developer, Kerioth Corporation.
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| Proposed hotels |
Ridgeland Hospitality applied for a Conditional Use permit that would allow it to build three five-story hotels although the three hotels will be housed in two structures at the corner of I-55N Frontage Road and West Ridgeland Avenue. The combined occupancy would be 287 rooms. Ridgeland limits the height to 48 feet unless a variance is approved. The site is zoned MU-1.
The Zoning Board unanimously approved the application after a public hearing was held on January 5, 2017 and forwarded it to the Board of Aldermen. That is when the fun began for Ridgeland Hospitality.
Alderman Keith Heard moved to table RH's application and hold a public hearing on February 21. All aldermen voted to approve Heard's motion, including Chuck Gautier. The hearing was held and the aldermen voted 6-1 to deny the application. Mr. Gautier again voted on the matter. The Madison County Journal reported:
What is interesting is Mr. Gautier voted on these matters and made public comments because he directly works for a competitor, Kerioth Corporation. Kerioth is owns two Mariott hotels at the Township at Colony Park and is building a third one, the Autograph, at the Township as well. The Aldermen granted height variances to these hotels although Mr. Gautier recused himself from those votes. The Aldermen also approved a TIF bond package for one Township project and a conference center as well. The Aldermen are also supporting Kerioth's application for the MDA Sales Tax Rebate Program. Kerioth says it's total investment in The Township will be $358 million. Clint Herring is the President of Kerioth and the developer of the Township at Colony Park.
Ward 2 Alderman Chuck Gautier said he did not feel comfortable giving the go-ahead on anything until more detailed drawing were presented. He said that the renderings presented did not have specifics on “materials” that would be used or the “machinery” that would be on the building including air conditioning units.
This is Mr. Gautier's business card:
and a listing:
Mr. Gautier has not recused himself from all things involving his employer or competitors. He voted for the "Costco Zoning Amendment" even though his boss sent a letter of support to the Board of Aldermen for the project. Article. He also voted to amend the overlay district for the Township at Colony Park two years ago.
Meanwhile, the Board of Aldermen made Ridgeland Hospitality jump through more hoops. RH resubmitted plans in late March that met the height restrictions ( The above-posted drawings are the revised plans). However, the Conscript Fathers of Ridgeland moved the goal posts and approved a 180-day moratorium on all new hotel construction at the April 4 meeting. Meanwhile, the board voted to support Kerioth's application for the sales tax rebate at the April 18 meeting.
Ridgeland Hospitality didn't quit trying to get its project approved. It submitted a site review plan. The Architecture Review Board approved the site review plan with some minor modifications such as extra landscaping on a 5-0 vote at the June 27 meeting. However, RH once again ran aground as the Board of Aldermen denied RH's request to end the moratorium although Mr. Gautier did recuse himself at the July 18 Board meeting. Oddly enough, the same Board approved the site plan for RH on a 4-2 vote as well. Mr. Gautier requested that he be allowed to participate in that vote but the developers objected and he did not do so. We like your plan but we won't let you build it. The Journal also reported:
Developers for the project were present Tuesday night and said they felt they were being unfairly treated and that the Board was showing favoritism to specific projects. The Board recently granted approval for new hotels at The Township at Colony Park.Mayor Gene McGee protested the Board's actions and said it sent the signal that Ridgeland was closed for business. All to no avail. Ridgeland Hospitality sits in limbo while Kerioth keeps on building its swanky new development.
This project was denied a variance for a fifth floor in February and was set to go up at the corner of Frontage Road and West Ridgeland Avenue. Developers have said they would like to complete the project by late-2017 or early-2018.
Todd Reeves presented a heated statement representing the developers and accused the city of giving them “moving targets” in the architectural review phase and the aforementioned denied height variance. He said that his company is already “over $3 million into the project.” He accused unnamed residents of the city to be motivated by “greed” to stop them from pursuing what he saw as a constitutional right to develop his property..... Article
The owners of Ridgeland Hospitality are Chico Patel, Ali Bhatti, Tom Crowson, Todd Reeves, and Bobby Gill.
Kingfish note: It is also interesting how many minutes of Board meetings are not posted online . Ridgeland has a section for them on its website but when one actually goes to individual meetings, the minutes are often not posted:
July 18, 2017
June 6, 2017
May 16, 2017
May 2, 2017
April 18, 2017
March 21, 2017
March 7, 2017
February 21, 2017
February 7, 2017
January 3, 2017
December 20, 2016
November 15, 2016
November 1, 2016
October 18, 2016
October 4, 2016
September 20, 2016
September 6, 2016
August 16, 2016
August 2, 2016
July 19, 2016
The minutes for twenty meetings of the Board of Aldermen over the last twelve months are not posted. The Board meets at least twice per month so the city is not posting the Board minutes for almost half of the meetings. That's ok. As the bureaucrats found out a few weeks ago, I don't mind paying a visit to City Hall and reading the minutes although a clerk tried to make me file a public records request and wait seven days. Tried.
Note: Application starts on page 42. Drawings begin on p. 78.
123 comments:
Patel. Who would have thought?
This seems so very one-sided and unethical. If all is true how is this Kerioth group getting so much approval and grants from the government??? Does that not mean more encouragement to build?? A lot of favoritism and question of ethics here!!!
Lets play a game...can you circle all the ethical violations in this article?
KF, who owns the Hampton that has been under construction for years? This is across the street from Trustmark bank close to the Township.
RH needs to hire a lawyer to stay all permits granted pending a full hearing on the reasons provided by the Board to treat like entities differently.
Discovery of $ paid to Chuck is required.
Clint Herring needs to change his name to H.C. "Buster" Bailey and then he can do whatever he wants---he will not have to follow any rules or regulations. Buster built the Butler Snow high rise and bragged that he did not follow the rules regarding height. Buster will have to answer to a lot of things one day including the First Investment debacle.
So one development has checked all the boxes for the board of aldermen and isn't seeking any taxpayer money. Yet, that development is getting the run around; however, another hotel development by a competitor to which an alderman is employed by has gotten approval for both heigh variances and taxpayer money. Nothing to see here....
By the way, that rendering looks better than any hotel I have seen thus far in Ridgeland.
Gautier should be ashamed of himself for not recusing. I can't believe the Board Attorney didn't point this out.
And if not for JJ, this stuff would just fly under the radar. Too complicated for the CL to deal with.
Really! The Jackson metro area, as a whole, is NOT generating enough tourists, visitors, or business to warrant anymore hotel developments. This is not about economic development for Ridgeland but who can get public, subsidized tax credits for a boondoggle project. When will Mississippians learn that these wannabee "Developers" are only about taking Mississippi taxpayers' money and not about investing in Mississippi. WAKE-UP PEOPLE!
The Hampton Inn thats been sitting there for 3 years has a partnership with Kerioth Corporation.
"... that rendering looks better than any hotel I have seen thus far in Ridgeland."
That's what renderings are supposed to do - look better than reality... to help sell the deal.
MCJ has done some yoeman's work on this story since January.
10:13..Why would Clint change his name? He seems to be getting away with whatever he wants anyway. And I am sure Bailey has no problem with this development. Seems like it would bring numerous customers for the shops and restaurants in Renaissance which could only be a great thing!
Kerioth cartel hindering economic development go figure. The Renaissance is on life support you would think they would be all for hotel guests to spend their dollars in the community, tax revenue etc. What is so special about the "Township?" Good job City of Ridgeland.
Looks like something is rotten in Ridgeland!
10:19.. You make a great point that only supports what this article is saying. One group is willing to invest their own funds in Mississippi's and Ridgeland's economy; yet, they are getting the run around and denied at every stop despite what appears to being zoned correctly and met the cities requirements.
But, the Kerioth group that is seeking taxpayer money and has an elected official on his payroll is getting rubber stamped.
@10:06 Good question. That Hampton Inn has been under construction for like 5 years, what an eyesore. If Kerioth is associated with it, why can't he finish it before trying to fill up his vacant land with 2 more hotels. Real Estate Developer 101.
On a side note. Why in the hell did Mercedes get that insane TIF package, they would relocated regardless. Mercedes threatened to pull their franchise unless they built a new facility or upgraded the existing one, which Jackson provided zero assistance on (idiots for losing Mercedes).
What is really going on in Ridgeland? Thank you JJ for reporting this undercover BS.
Buster is trying his best to sell the Butler Snow building for $93 Million Dollars---it's listed with Marcus & Millichap in St. Louis. He may be going to take his share to make the third payment (in October) to the investors of First Investments (NOW DEFUNCTED). It will take a lot more than a high occupancy rate for the surrounding hotels to help the Renaissance's bottom line---it has never shown a profit or it would be listed for sale also. You can't hide the dirty linen much longer.
10:38...agreed. I don't understand how someone who is investing their own funds is getting a run around and another group is getting tax incentives thrown at them. and if I am not mistaken, if buildings do not follow plans or renderings, the city will make them so I have no doubt these hotels (if they allow them) will look great right off of I-55. Better than the Hyundai dealership...
I don't know Linda Davis (she may be crazy as a betsy bug) who ran against Chuck Gautier, but she must have not been grasping at straws when she ran her campaign on this corruption that involves Kerioth and some aldermen. She should be at city hall right now demanding Gautier's resignation!
10:26, thanks KF, but nobody reads the MCJ except people looking for their kids in the tee ball pics. The whole metro area needs to know what is going on in that rats nest.
Newsflash.... none of this is new to how business is done in the City of Ridgeland. Yet ON ELECTION DAY NOTHING CHANGES! Out of all the registered voters in the City of Ridgeland, it's always the same 3,000 people who show up to preserve the status quo.
All cities work this way. You only get to build what they "let" you build. There is little to nothing that can be done about it. These little turd head mayors and alderman get to play God and love doing so. Fair? It'll be here next month.
Its just the way the game is played.
I would like to meet someone named Chico Patel.
Jackson would kill to have an imbroglio like this one. As for the Benz dealer, you ain't seen nothing yet as nearly all the I55 Frontage car dealerships are actively scouting for their own migrations North.
Chico Patel is my stage name.
They should open a major investigation into this. How can hotel rooms not help local restaurants, retail, etc.
I wonder which is harder...getting something like this approved in the city of Ridgeland or Madison?? It's kind of funny (and sad) that when everyone thinks "Ridgeland", they only think about Highland Colony and not areas like Wheatley or Old Canton. Seems to me like some of the city's time needs to be spent on those areas. Granted, four-laning lake harbor was much needed and well done.
I smell a big time investigation, yeah they are probably getting the cold shoulder.
They should go to Flowood or Madison, heck with the drama crooked politicians play.
How in the world could Chuck vote and I'm from Ridgeland WOW !!!
One call that's all Richard Schwartz phone will be ringing off the hook.
Chuck needs to get on Jenny Craig
Another article for the KF sycophant to chime in and blow smoke up his skirt - read the column and you will see, as he noted, the Madison Journal wrote this article. And has followed this Ridgeland BOA activity all along. Despite 10:54's belief, many people do read the MCJ - even folks who do not live in Madison County. Just as with this issue, they have done yeoman's duty on several issues in the land of milk and honey, and stucco: The MCEDA mess, the airport study itself, Canton hijinks, Rudy and all his activities. If you aren't reading the MCJ, you are certainly missing out on some of the most interesting messes in the metro area.
And no - I have no interest in the MCJ; don't work there, don't get paid by them for anything, just enjoy keeping up. And unlike 10:54, I don't depend on JJ, or social media for that matter, for all of my information
City must not want tax revenue? Can I borrow $30
I heard about this through a friend, I would tell developers call out every person who voted for competition and embarrass the heck out of them. It's just not right. Go Ole Miss !!!
I think the State should look into a major investigation. How in the world did "Clint" get approved with city and tax incentives and these guys get rejected? I will be in the hearing vouching for support when ever time comes.
When Costco starts percolating this will all be a distant memory.
I wonder how many other folks looking to develop have gotten ran off trying to get their projects approved. Just by observation, it seems Flowood gets the "pro business" approach. They don't even have the benefit from a major interstate and still thriving out there.
Once again the malcontent @12:39PM needs everyone to feel their piss ant status pain.
The good news for us taxpayers in Ridgeland is it looks like we get to pay to defend yet another lawsuit we can't win on one project that was illegally denied and at the same time we get to pay and fund the other project that was illegally approved by this Board. You simply cannot make this shit up!
Thanks Chuck Gautier, thanks Ken Heard, and I am sure DI Smith is right there with them although he may be too old to even care.
Well in the official language of India (Hindi) Patel means "hospitality".
That's my story and I am sticking to it.
@12:57
What is the update on Costco? I've lost track
Has the KF noticed any pattern as to which Board minutes are available online and which minutes he has to go and view in person? Or is this the kind of comment that gets zapped because it lets the cat out of the bag on an upcoming JJ post?
:-)
The Mayor of Ridgeland is a fair guy, but can't speak for the rest of Alderman. I would fight till the end.
Why in the world would a city turn down that much revenue to feed local business?
There seems something fishy....
Why in the world would a city turn down that much revenue to feed local business?
There seems something fishy....
Patel. Who would have thought?
He has a great family which happens to love their community and gives back to it freely. What have you done lately?
@1:31...agreed, I do think and have heard the Mayor of Ridgeland is a fair individual but what can you do when your board of alderman behaves this way. I think I saw in an article couple of months ago he was disappointed just like KF mentioned in the article above about him sayin Ridgeland is close for business...
PROBUISNESS !!!! NOT
I am 70 years old and have known Todd his whole life, so yes my post is biased. And this may not be the place for this, but I want this to be heard. I have met Chico and Ali recently. All those guys really impress me. They are also behind the newest announced hotel in Fondren. They are building in states all over the country, but despite all the negatives that people complain about here, they are wanting to invest in their home community to give this area more developments you used to only see in bigger cities. With The District, the Westin, these projects in the article, and others it gives the area a different feel that their kids and my grandkids along with so many others can be proud to come back to instead of chasing greener pastures.
Regardless of where you sit on how successful all the properties mentioned above will be, I for one admire, appreciate, and respect all these people for putting their asses on the line to make this community a better place. I think it is high time some of these crooked politicians do the same.
OLD SCHOOL MONEY TALKING........
2:34, I've got 5 years on you, I'm 75. I've lived here all my life and you must have lived in a dream world most of your life. I don't believe the developers are putting their asses on the line to help revitalize our city---it's all about the money. These guys develop, buy, whatever and when things go wrong they just give the property back to the bank because the funds come from a non-recourse loan.
FACT: Heritage Building Downtown---Duckworth let it go into foreclosure because he had a non-recourse loan. Plaza Building Downtown---Mike Peters let it go into foreclosure because he had a non-recourse loan. I could go on and on, no one these days does anything without covering their ass. All my comments are public record.
Those city officials should have learned after the recent apartment rezonining fiasco. Be fair, be consistent, or be gone!
3:12 - your 75 year old mind is not functioning on all fours. The post you are referring to talks specifically about the investors in the projects referred to in the column. You dispute the comments she makes about the investors and their business by referring to two other investors and one each of their very many projects.
Comparing the costs of bananas (ooops, sorry to my Ole Miss friends) lets make that apples at McDades with the cost of coffee at Starbucks doesn't mean much. Neither does your comparison.
Nothing against KFish, but, if Madison County Journal had not been involved, not a fifth of the shenanigans in MadCo over the past several years would be public knowledge. I consider this blog to be social media. Several County Supervisors and at least two mayors have said social media plays no relevant role. That's about to change. There's at least one group page in Madison County that is spotlighting corruption.
Just you people in Ridgeland wait til Gerald Steen becomes your mayor. You have not seen shady dealing and corruption yet.
3:12 - reading comprehension isn't your best, eh?
3:34, I did not see "she" anywhere in 2:34 comments---How do you know it is a female? Let's get to the point---she was speaking about the developers building projects because they wanted to do something good for Jackson---you must be a twinkle toed fool to think this is about anything but the "MONEY". The reason I brought up Duckworth and Peters was to let everyone know there is always an exit strategy if you are a smart developer. No investor/developer does anything for anybody except themselves. GROW UP !!!!!!
I consider this blog to be social media.
Don't matter what you consider. You're an anonymous nobody.
On a related note...has anyone noticed how many hotels are popping up around the metro? There's downtown and Fondren, there's 3 now in Flowood near Dogwood (a brand new one just broke ground across the street from Outback Steakhouse), and even over in Clinton at I-20 and Springridge there is a new one. And then Ridgeland.
Why the focus on hotels at this time? There are no new attractions in town to bring tourists. They have to be able to fill those rooms. It seems like suddenly a lot of hotels.
Ridgeland needs better hotels. The renderings look great as well. I wonder how many jobs and incremental tax collections this will create for the general area. I'm no developer, but I know a good thing when I see it. Shame on the city for denying the project.
KF you should do a article on what's taking so long on that hotel next to the Embassey in Ridgeland?
4:43 =- OF COURSE all developers are doing their development for money. This is a capitalist society after all. They risk their money, along with investors/lenders to make money. Nobody is denying that, but your idiotic point that there have been some projects that failed - those you noted in the crash of 2008 when several projects country-wide failed along with many other businesses - doesn't apply to the particular projects of this post. If you wanted to bring to the table that this group had failed many times before and therefore the city elders of Ridgeland might be appropriate in their obvious bias against one group in favor of another group might make sense. But to follow your stupid logic, Kerioth could just as easily be the object of your comparison as the group that is being screwed by Ridgeland Aldermen. Time for you to GROW UP!!!
By the way, my use of 'she' as opposed to what I guess you would have preferred 'he', was to keep from being stereotypical. Would you have complained just as loudly if I had referred to you as 'he'?
The proposed hotels in the illustration are BUTT-UGLY. They look cheap, and are not compatible with the look of 'The Township at (impossibly long name).
Kerioth, on the other hand, developed the signature look of the development, and basically ARE 'The Township at (whatever the fuck 'Colony Park' is - as if 'Highland Colony Parkway' weren't enough to write down and remember). They're locals, who have poured their lives into doing something outstanding.
The others are just interlopers, looking to throw up some cheap crap, and thus STEAL the value which locals have carefully built into the community.
"I consider this blog to be social media.
Don't matter what you consider. You're an anonymous nobody."
And YOU'RE NOT? The point is that a blog is indeed social media and some of these elected officials are going to find out the power of social media. Went right over your head, no?
The others are "interlopers"? Does that mean they are across County Line; or across the Pearl River? Used to mean things like being across the Mason Dixon, but certainly that can't be what you mean here.
Problem is, others are Ridgeland based developers. Nice try to slam them in defense of yourself while demeaning the quality of the proposed investment. There certainly is a difference between motel/hotel units - everything from Motel 6 to Ritz Carltons - all designed for a different traveling market. Nothing at all about the proposed units except that they create problems for the Herrings (Kerioth) in their planned future developments. Can't compete with the powerful contributors and employers, now can we.
Uhh...@kingfish--
I think we're getting abstention and recusal confused.
Recusal means not IN THE ROOM when any discussion or vote happens, according to the ethics commission. That's the standard.
How could he ask to vote if he wasn't in the room?
If he was in the room, and could receive pecuniary benefit to him or his employer, he violated state ethics laws. Period.
Check out the Visit Ridgeland Twitter account. They have made Ridgeland the new go-to destination for fun people who are trying not to get killed by a hurricane. It's classy.
Anybody who thinks the Journal is not widely read and depended upon isn't paying attention. Much of it is on line and can't wait for it to hit on Thursdays. They keep quite a few scoundrels in MadCo doing a perpetual St. Vitus Dance.
Jambalaya, by its own definition of Jackassery, is great for check-out-lane hype and hyperbole. But, for in depth analysis and expose' of bad shit, it's the Journal. Like it or not.
Can anyone provide data describing the target markets for this many hotels ?
Are there events that result in a room shortage in the area? I suspect the Canton Flea Market and golf tournament at CCJ attract visitors but I also suspect the markets for those events are not the same nor require the same amenities. Does having the wrong type of hotel for the market hurt an event? Is there a price point that the market will or won't pay?
I'd like to see data supporting the claims that if you build a hotel near a shopping area, that hotel, unless it's has a high class spa or has convention capability, will attract customers to nearby retail areas. And, do you have the type of stores that attract the guests that typically stay in that type of hotel?
In short, is there any actual thought given to community planning and development or do developers just sell an idea to the politicians?
I don't suppose anyone has checked to see if the infrastructure can support development?
Any of the politician ever go to the northeast and see how it worked out in the days they didn't plan? Nothing like vacant shopping areas along a major Interstate to cause a town to be by passed later. Or, they could look at Houston, particularly south Houston with little to no regulations on development and all the engineering report warnings especially the 1994 warning.
Nevermind...just keep voting for your buddy or your party guy and never ask enough questions to learn if the person you vote for can think beyond the next election. Future? What future?
9:22 is right. We have a stagnant business climate and an over-heated earth. The climate refugees from western wildfires and powerful hurricanes will be occupants. Younger folk love Airbnb.
In Fondren the late night trash will take them over in 5 years.
God help us if we repent.
I am quoting minutes.
7:09, although it's true that developers may throw up as many hotels as they can as long as they make profits, the other side of the coin is that the hotel brands are attaching themselves to these developments. That means their research is telling them there is a need for more rooms, in Jackson and the surrounding towns.
I have to travel Steed Rd. everyday, can JJ or the commenters tell me why that Hampton Inn is taking so long to build? It seems even with slight delays the Westin downtown was built fairly quickly and it was a much larger project. Is City of Ridgeland giving that one a hard time too?
Hey September 6, 2017 at 10:53 AM "I don't know Linda Davis (she may be crazy as a betsy bug)..." Yep, she is.
Chuck is a great guy and good for the future of Ridgeland.
@3:36 Great guy or not, Clint Herring essentially has a vote through him on any business development that Kerioth has a conflict or interest in. Linda Davis was on to something long before this fiasco.
Way too many hotels in that area. Kerioth did not do a good job of diversifying that development. I assume those of you demonizing Ridgeland for trying to control development do the same against Mary too?
@3:36..I'm not sure what your requirements are for a "great guy", but mine certainly does not include criminal bribery by a public official. I keep seeing all these comments about ethical violations, and while they are obviously rampant, Gautier should probably hire a criminal defense attorney. This looks like a bad ending for him and maybe others.
I hear ethics suit coming
Hard to believe a city outside the capital of Mississippi is turning down hotels? It's not like they are building a Motel 6.
There has to be some meddling by people on the board. I hope these developers expose all corruption if it is. I don't think these developers will back down. Didn't costco and mercedes get tax benefits?
Linda Davis and these new hotel developers should see what's in common. I would love to hear the story that's going to come out of this. Also aren't the other alderman on there side? this makes no sense
So one development has checked all the boxes for the board of aldermen and isn't seeking any taxpayer money. Yet, that development is getting the run around; however, another hotel development by a competitor to which an alderman is employed by has gotten approval for both heigh variances and taxpayer money. Nothing to see here....
I agree with this comment 100% I own a small restaurant in town, how can you turn down quality hotels to eat in our local restaurants? So what's next a stop to all new development which the alderman don't Like.
Wander why the minutes are not getting posted correctly? That does not pass smell test.
I live and raise my children not far from here in the neighborhood near Holmes.... I do not want to see the proposed hotels on that property. They are cheap and will be a haven for meth heads when they are no longer shiny and new. Comparing the proposed hotels to the other hotels mentioned above is like comparing apples to plums. Kingfish.... Please post the submitted proposal.... The room sizes are so small. PLEASE NO ECONOMY HOTELS IN THIS AREA!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
Love it when the contributing JJ experts comment on saturation, prospects for room rentals and where motels ought be and ought not be. Like the professionals who invest and plan these buildings simply have no clue and are rolling dice.
Like the professionals who invest and plan these buildings simply have no clue and are rolling dice.
Love the stupid comments that assume the "professionals" possess the only expertise worthy of consideration.
@3:53am..First off, go to bed, are the pending investigations against your cronies keeping you up? The next time an alderman tries to get you to comment, just save yourself the humility and say no.
1. The STR report is the gospel in the hotel industry. It does not disguise...it does not lie. It list Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express in upper midscale. The most significant thing about that is this is the exact same category of the TownPlace Suites. I know you see where this is going now but let me spell it out. The TownPlace has been approved by this board of aldermen, built in the Township and owned by Kerioth.
2. The Hilton Tru is a smaller room (240 sq ft in fact) because that is the new "hip" concept, if you will. The most interesting thing about that is the Autograph Hotel room is 238 sq ft which was just approved by this board of aldermen during the same time a moratorium was placed on the other developers. The Autograph is owned by wait for it, wait for it ... K-E-R-I-O-T-H
Every aldermen has been presented this factual information.
If the City doesn't want these guys money/investment, they should say the hell with it. I'd give Dollar General a call, maybe Danny's wants to open a Ridgeland location on that corner.
I dont know about all the alderman/approval stuff, but I do know that the Hampton that has been under construction for years is not Kerioth's. They may have sold the land for it or something, but I know the group building/developing it is not them.
10:56, Kerioth Group has a percentage in there. It will be better to just bulldoze that place down as its been such a sore eye to look at it. I can understand if they can just complete the outside and work on the inside but 2-3 years been the same thing. Makes me not even want to turn into there and I'm sure The Blake really likes to see that too. If Kerioth runs the township and this is part of the Township what makes you say that the other two hotels wont be like this ANOTHER SORE EYE! Did they not get any TIF money for the Hampton project? Or are they trying to start two more projects to help finish this project with the other hotel TIF money?? HMMM? Too late for Alderman Chuck Gautier to help on this one.
11:30am, don't put words in my mouth and don't quiz me on things i made no statement about. All I said is Kerioth is not the developer of the Hampton. It is a different group who is listed.
This is what you call crooked local politics. It's amazing that these are elected officials who took an oath and treat developers trying to invest in the city differently. I hope they expose everyone involved, and one day they will look up to the Lord.
I heard it was a $25million dollar investment and not good enough for Ridgeland. Renasaince mall can barely keep tentants in mall just drive by and see all the vacant space boarded up. This is the most unheard thing I've heard in along time. How can there development hurt anything? Chuck Gautier should get exposed and rest of people behind the scene. I wander if they will get the $20 million dollar tax break from the government once ethics committee gets a whiff of this balonyyyyy
@3:53am Who is the loser who is up at 3:53am commenting on this? HA! I like how you tried to sound informed too. If you have this much time at 3:53 in the morning to troll the blog, why don't you go patrol for those meth heads?
11:30 Well which group is it then since you know more than me....You sure are taking up for Kerioth Group.
3:15pm, I'm not taking up for anyone. You sure do like to make misleading statements and deflections to put words in your opponents mouth. You must be a lawyer. when you are in an industry, and a project in that industry is going as badly as that one is, you hear about it.
And i don't spread other peoples pain on the internet, just debunk things i know to be untrue. I could give you the name, but all you have to do is call the permit department or use google.
As a resident of Madison County, with significant real estate interests in the City of Ridgeland and the City of Madison (that pale in comparison to Ali, Chico & Todd's endeavor), I want to apologize for the way that the matter has been handled. Many that comment may not have all the facts - nor do I.
How I wish I didn't have first hand experience with what you're dealing with! I don't have a dog in this fight, but if I did - I'd require Bulldog adornments at the front entrance.
The aldermen are doing a great job. This area needs no more hotels.Chico Patel is a phony. Look up the federal lawsuit files in Louisiana about the unfinished holiday inn by s&r development, which is the Ridgeland hospility's other name. The aldermen obviously know who he is and made the right call! Go Ridgeland aldermen!
" I don't have a dog in this fight, but if I did - I'd require Bulldog adornments at the front entrance. "
Trying to keep out the riff-raff from Ole Miss? ;-)
I have never read so many incoherent, badly spelled, and badly punctuated posts, in a single place, in my entire life. Considering that most of these posts are obviously by developers and paid trolls, it's doubly pitiful that so few here can write coherently.
@6:46 Welcome to the iPhone generation.
I'm an attorney and no I am not looking for a pat on the back. I simply reference that because when I see cases like this, it intrigues me. I read this article late in the week and finally had some time this afternoon to research the facts. It really doesn't matter what anyone thinks of this project..it doesn't even matter if you think Ridgeland has an adequate number of hotels. These developers have been approved unanimously by the Architectural Review Board and "hotel and motels" are permitted uses under this zoning so they are zoned correctly. That is black and white. At this point, all the board of aldermen is doing is preventing them of their constitutional right to develop their property. It is interesting because all these aldermen are Republicans, yet ignoring the constitution is a page straight out of the Obama administration. Like him or hate him, and I personally don't consider myself too far one way or the other, but that is why Donald Trump is our president. The American people are sick and tired of politicians thinking they are above the constitution like these Ridgeland aldermen apparently think they are.
NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING goes on in Ridgeland that Gene McGee doesn't have a hand in. Several of the Aldermen are just doing his bidding. He may have expressed his "disappointment" but you can bet he had those votes lined up in advance. He was covering his back.
As for Gautier, why do you think Clint Herring hired him? For his looks and personality? He needed an "in" on the Board of Alderman, and what better way to get it than to hire one of them. As for Buster Bailey, he just keeps on coming back to the city to get them to "change the rules" on zoning when it suits his pocketbook, and the city complies. Wonder why?
Wow, to 9:27, the "attorney " who is incidentally into this case late, who knows a lot about the constitution, its really funny that Donald trump was elected for this shady hotel project. The Ridgeland aldermen must be very scared. Haha.
There are many citations and fines by the Mississippi and Louisiana contractor board to the S&R development, and lawsuits of unfinished projects. Ridgeland citizens should be concerned. Ever thought about why they use multiple names?
I think its funny how we are not looking at the main point of this conversation. The owners have been approved by the review committee but the Alderman are purposely delaying there development. It shouldn't matter if you like them, hate them etc. They
have equal rights just like everyone else does under the constitution.
The main point of the discussion is the developer wants to build low class motels in an mid-upper class area, and claims to be their constitutional right. Using some kid of rating to talk up holiday inn/express/tru is same as putting lipstick on a pig. Every one knows it is still a pig. Those brands are nowhere near the reputation of the Marriott brands.
@8:51 Clearly not having any common sense, they are entitled to build whatever damn brand they want. Are Costco and Hyundai "mid-upper class?"
What tier is the Dollar General the geniuses approved across the street from City Hall?
That is the whole point, to have affordable quality hotels that cater to everyday people other than "mid-upper class/nouveau riche posers."
Surely Costco and Hyundai are much more reputable business than some damn Ridgeland hostility!
The city approved a Dollar General across City Hall, and Hilton and Holiday Inn hotels are not to there standard?
Dam somebody smoking some good stuff around the city.
I wander what is really stopping there approval? I would say local crooks, they must have not donated enough money under the table like the COSTCO deal lol.
The rendering of the motels looks bad. Can you imagine what the real construction looks like?
Gautier also used his alderman status and influence to help his close friend Amy Felder avoid felony charges last May when she hit and ran over a pedestrian in the parking lot of a Kerioth owned property.
Mr. Gautier is a good friend to have. There is nothing wrong with that. He doesn't have to use any status to help his friend. If it is ok with the victim, who the hell are you to slandering him?
Mr. Kingfish must have a share in this motel project. He is picking and choose what to publish in favor of the developer.
Who would turn down revenue for a city with Quality Hotels? I stay in Holiday Inn hotels across the US and have found that brand as good as any. Everyone knows what a Hilton brand hotel is about unless your from Redneck Mississippi.
Quality hotel build by Chico Patel?
@8:36 prove it by facts troll. Just another hater, move along.
@2:07 do tell? Chuck has been playing dirty for some time now. Ethics commission should have a ball with him.
I just saw on WAPT that Chico and his group building in Jackson. So what's the issue in Ridgeland they must know what they are doing ? Must be some strange things happening in Ridgeland? No wonder Ridgeland Closed For Business! JUST LIKE the Mayor McGee said. The Mayor should have said if you don't have close friends with the Ridgeland Aldermans or on your payroll there's no chance you will have a chance here for Buisness!
Patel and his people just cannot stop posting here. Go find a real job.
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