Jackson Jambalaya

Sun and Sand. Funeral Home. Prime locations in downtown being added to the tax-exempt land rolls.

What happened to shrinking the state government? They've been steady acquiring and building buildings for the last decade.

You reckon a developer is at fault or there is something else that is the real reason?

What was the Hotel on the Mississippi coast that had colorful Dots in its signage?
Surf & Sand ??

The article incorrectly states that the Sun-n-Sand is on the Dept. of Archives and History's landmarks list. The hotel does not turn up in a search of the department's official state landmarks database. If it was actually a state landmark, it could not be demolished.

"hash out bills outside the glare of public scrutiny"

That wasnt the only thing they were "hashing out".

No tax base in Jackson, how you think that will work out?

The open, outdoor corridors would present security problems if someone was to restore the hotel. Women especially, prefer secure room access from indoor jallways, goven Jackson's crime problems.

@11:02 DEMOCRAT David Blount has been pushing government HARD for the last decade to do exactly what you are bemoaning. GROW and grow SPECIFICALLY by purchasing properties in downtown Jackson. Give his office a call and register your complaint.

Sun & Sand was built in the late 50s. Nothing particular about the architexture to make it significant. It's a 60 year old buidling that has outlived it's usefulness and has no significant historical value except that a bunch of lwgislators lived there and drank a lot. By that standard, there are a lot of 'historic buildings around. Hell, in 20 years Archives and History will be declaring Tico's historic.

Also known as the No-tell Motel.

11:02. Not being sarcastic, but the facts are:

1. the Sun and Sand is not generating any revenue at the moment;
2. the State of Mississippi is probably the only entity that wants and needs to invest in Jackson; and
3. the City of Jackson has nothing that attracts local businesses, but does offer failing infrastructure, high crime rates, and a group of City leaders that couldn't govern a weekly pot-luck event at the local church.

Well it is an eyesore.

The citizens of this state are far too ignorant to appreciate a landmark such as the Sun & Sand. Well, Kingfish, at least we have your Matchbook Monday features!

I still have a key to one of the rooms. Came across it in a box of stuff not long ago. We would get rooms there in the early to mid 90"s as high school students for parties. I think I was 15 when I did it the first time....lots of good memories (or more accurately, vague recollections).

A shame no developer could make it work because such motels are "chic" again.

Yeah, for all those potential tourists who'd want to come to Jackson and risk their lives in that neighborhood.

It's a pity.

Back in the day I called the Sun and Sand trying to reach a legislator, and I swear the front desk clerk answered "Son of Sam;" freaked me out a little.

1:24, if it were such a prime location and the landmark you say it is, a developer would have come along a long time ago. Perhaps a good business model could have been just-in-time, rooms by the hour for legislators and their special guests.

I recognize that. That's why I said too bad. Of course, more land taken off the tax rolls but if Jackson dares point it out, the rednecks in legislature will blame Jackson.

Well right now it is in massive disrepair. Actually dfa used to pay the former owner a ton of money to rent the parking lot. So they figured it was cheaper to buy the thing. Its full of as asbestos

"What was the Hotel on the Mississippi coast that had colorful Dots in its signage? Surf & Sand ??"

Pete Fountain's Buena Vista? Stayed there wunst with my first ex-wife on a honeymoon, just before Camille wiped it off the map.

Seems like there was also a Sun N Sand on the Gulf Coast back in the fifties/sixties.

The demolition matter may be being reviewed by the Archives and History Department, which regulates demolition of historically significant government owned buildings, under the State Antiquities Law. Hopefully, MDAH will not authorize demolition. Katie Blount is MDAH executive director and Kane Ditto chairs the governing board. The decision to raze the building was made by the DFA Director, Laura Jackson, who serves at the will and pleasure of the governor. Arguably, the demolition decision should be deferred until the next governor is installed, who should review the matter. DFA only recently purchased the property after leasing it for several years for parking. DFA should issue a RFP for development of the property through a long term lease. Such a development would generate rent revenue to the state and the leasehold would be subject to local ad valorem taxes. A developer would be able to take advantage of state and federal new market and historic tax credits and federal Opportunity zone incentives. The Mississippi Heritage Trust, a historic preservation charity, placed the building on its 10 most endangered list. For years there have been discussions about acquiring the property for legislative housing and for office use. Other cities have seen mid century motels undergo dramatic renovations. the senate passed a bill a few years ago to privatize the Robert E. Lee building.

two memories....at the grand opening when I was a little kid, standing by the sandy area in the front, my Mom pointing up and saying "there's the Sun" and then pointing down and saying, "there's the sand"....

Memory number two ..many years later but at least 29 years ago ( when I was still drinking) ...closing up George St and going for the after party at Willie Morris' suite at the sun & sand...the door was open for stragglers and while drinking yet another beer Willie said, "listen, listen....listen to that bird (outside) chirping....don't 'cha wish we could invite the bird to come in and have beer with us!" ....what a great line!

Is the Coliseum on this same list? Seems the only use it's seen in the past eight years is Feel Bryant and Cindy Bryant Hyde- Smith riding around inside the building in a horse-drawn buggy or in the back of a pickup flying the state flag. When will the state buy it?

I hope they can save the Sun & Sand sign. Classic.

916. One question.

Why?

This is not an historically significant building. If a developer had any reason to try to refurbish this relic, it would have been done years ago.

And if you think the decision to buy, and demolish this building was done singly by Laura Jackson with no other state leaders in the discussion, it helps explain how you could be as delusional as your comments indicate.

So, again. Why? Why should there be tax credits allowed for a sixty year old two story motel? MDAH have no say in this decision (thank God) but smarter heads than you are doing what is reasonable - demolishing an eyesore -not an historic building.

The State paid $76,800 a year in rent and was responsible for the maintenance of the parking lot, fences, shrubbery and utility bills. It was a great deal for SidneyMack and he only paid $21,329 a year property taxes for sitting on the property.

A little history here from someone who was there.....

http://www.boomjackson.com/stories/-old-haunt-sun-n-sand-motor-hotel

I love the idiot(s) that call it a “huge mistake.” Mam, with all due respect, take out your checkbook and purchase the properties and then YOU can do whatever YOU want with it. Here are the facts-There’s nothing historic about it. It’s now a rat infested asbestos infested eye sore. The fact that anyone would want it for anything other than a parking lot is ah-mazing. Back in the day it was a great home away from home for legis-liars. It was a great place for lobbyist to round up a table of the legis-liars, fill them up with free booze and food and then make worthless deals deals for the state. Again, buy it and you can make it whatever you want. If not, go back to minding your own business. Thank you!

@9:34,

Since it was purchased with OUR MONEY than it is OUR BUSINESS dumbass

The place had a decent breakfast 30 years ago. You, as a regular John, could eat grits and eggs and look around and see all manner of real important people having coffee, trying to sober up and wondering what they did last night. Nothing wrong with that. But, facts is facts.

Senators from the Delta were trying to convince Ellis Bodron to go along with them and Bodron was shaking his head and saying, "I just can't see it".

What do you want to bet that 9:16 is a bearded, skinny jean wearing hipster who would pull down a Confederate monument in a heartbeat...but please save a dilapidated rat infested monument to legislative debauchery.

The plumbing in this facility has been stopped up for fifty years. I ain't about to say why.