Ag Commish Andrew Gipson issued the following statement.
Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson announced the completion of the multi-million dollar renovation project to the Mississippi Coliseum five months ahead of schedule.
“I am excited to announce the early completion of renovations to the Coliseum on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds,” said Commerce Andy Gipson. “Initially, the renovation work was taking place in between scheduled events, but with event cancellations due to COVID-19, the contractors were able to complete the job five months early. I want to once again thank the Mississippi Legislature for their support that made these renovations possible.”
The $2.2 million renovation began in October of 2019 and was to be completed in January of 2021. Renovations included repairing and painting the floors and walls, installing new seating, and adding handrails and reflectors. The floors were equipped with an abrasive, slip-resistant paint to prevent falls and reflectors were specifically placed for the lighting of walkways. Wier Boerner Allin Architecture designed the renovation project and Paul Jackson and Son, Inc. was the general contractor.
This investment in the Coliseum provides new and safe aesthetics, conveniences and amenities that will attract new business and groups to the Mississippi Fairgrounds. The Mississippi Coliseum is attached to the new Trade Mart, which will make both facilities more marketable for hosting a wide array of events.
“The safety and security of our guests is our top priority, and these repairs have been completed with that goal in mind,” said Michael Lasseter, acting director of the Mississippi Fairgrounds Complex. “Now, we are looking forward to getting back to business and once again hosting some of the state’s largest events, in a safe and engaging environment.”
The Mississippi Legislature consolidated the Mississippi Fair Commission into the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce effective July 1, 2020. According to Commissioner Gipson, the Mississippi Fair Commission and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce have had a long, beneficial working relationship.
“We have worked so closely together that most in the public and many in state government didn’t realize they have been separate agencies. I expect our strong mutual commitment to promoting agriculture, commerce and industry to continue as we move forward together,” said Commissioner Andy Gipson.
Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/bureaus-departments/state-fairgrounds/ for more information.
25 comments:
5 months ahead of schedule, but no events until 2022.
With a scheduled completion date of 2021 for a state project, I can understand why they didn’t schedule events until 2022.
There's your Covid warehouse all prettied up. Now we need a crematorium outback. I mean anyone who is positive is dead or soon to be dead and we need to dispose of them all.
Great job, and kudos to all involved.
But it seems like a waste of money.
Very few still use this ancient venue anyway.
I'm surprised the Dixie National Rodeo is still there.
The state fair is one event the Governor needs to cancel. Can you imagine all those people on the grounds - no social distancing. What about the fair rides - how are the going to disinfect each and every ride down there? Are they going to spray them down and the wipe each one off after a ride ends? As to the trade mart, I know of several vendors scared to be down there. Are you going to wipe every item off before letting someone else pick it up another time? And the food vendors - I would be scared to eat anything from them! The heat seems to be a factor in COVID 19 - the temperature sometimes get hot down there. Look for a big spike in the numbers 1-2 weeks after the fair begins and ends. Other state fairs have canceled their fairs, but not “White Hat”! Hell, he doesn’t even know when to take his hat off inside! The House members were glad to see him go when he was appointed by Cowboy Phil!
Gipson keeps saying the State Fair will take place even though every state fair in America since spring has been cancelled including the big Daddy Texas Fair scheduled for late September thru mid October. If the fair happens I'll shove a dozen pronto pups down my throat.
Coloseum finished just in time to facilitate the spread of coronavirus. What they should really do is set up a mobile tent hospital inside where is can be more easily imate controlled and given electrical power.
And now we know why the governor exempted construction projects in his executive orders.
" pronto pups "
Gawd I how I miss pronto pups ... nothing at all like a regular corn dog .
I think the last place in Jackson that had access to pronto pups, was the old Dairy Queen on West Capitol Street around 1969/1970 .
That DQ was almost to the Zoo, and across from Cedar Lawn Cemetery.
( I'm sure a few readers can remember when traveling down W. Capitol Street to the Zoo was a pleasant
way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon).
2:51 you missed the point of the article. Because events were cancelled due to the virus, the 15 month project was finished in 10 months. It doesn't make sense the other way. 'Other way' being the state cancelled a year's worth of events on a 2 mil renovation to get a lower price on the bid. 2 mil in a year is not a lot of work in a building that size. The project was bid to work around the events. No doubt the contractor had some extra expenses due to the virus, but becuase events were cancelled he must have made a healthy profit.
The state should build a new top notch facility that cOils host concerts, ice hockey and basketball. The coliseum is dreadfully outdated and lacks the modern sometimes that are expected today. Quality of life is important in attracting businesses and people to a metro area. Yes, it would take over a hundred million dollars. The Pavilion at Ole Miss cost nearly $100 million and it is state of the art in every way. The facility in Jackson though should seat 12,000 to 15,000.
What events are scheduled for 2022? The venue will continue to be as much of a ghost town as the Jackson Convention Center. I hope to see a large flashing neon sign on High Street featuring a 15 gallon hat. Lipstick on a pig named Jackson.
renovating a facility that sits mostly dormant??? but then again, the trademart is busy enough to have raised the 2.2 mil...
Kingfish, this story has an error in it. The contractor is Fountain Construction Company. I know this because I am employed by the contractor! The renovation work to the coliseum was a change order to the new Trademart project. I don't care if you post this comment or not. I would prefer you correct the story. Thank you sir.
Another great achievement and photo op for the guy in the Big White Hat.
Get that “Running for Governor” portfolio in order, Yee hah! .
Easy to finish construction early when the place hasn’t hosted anything of value in years. Such a well-oiled machine.
What a colossal waste of money.
The load-in ability if that facility is so outdated that most current touring headlining bands can’t even play there. It’s so outdated and quite frankly, a relic.
Even the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi has fallen behind with new competition in both New Orleans and Pensacola. But Jackson’s situation is a joke.
The state leaders truly have their heads up their asses when it comes to the fair grounds. They think rodeos and monster truck rallies are all that tax payers want.
But maybe changing the state flag will bring in the BIG TIME entertainment!
Referring to 9:22’s comment, is that Ole miss has a 700+ million endowment. Jackson has a corrupt administration that is the worst this city has ever seen. I’ve been wondering for a few weeks as to why Madison or Brandon don’t have a Television station or an event venue like the coliseum. But, with the current issue with COVID-19, it wouldn’t make sense to even begin with a venue. But I really think on of those cities could have a much better news station than what we have in Jackson. I’m tired of the disproportionate views and staffing of he current news stations. It’s time for a change.
"Photo op for the guy in the Big White Hat.
Get that “Running for Governor” portfolio in order, Yee hah! . "
Gipson is really a nice guy and means well.
But he has no PR people.
I don't think he realizes that "Hoss Cartwright"
persona only works within a few rural communities.
And no, I'm not a $1.50 member of Donna Ladd's JFP/VIP group.
Just saying that ten gallon hat and "aw shucks"
act might work in some HWY 49 villages, but it won't work on the Gulf Coast or in the Mississippi suburbs south of Memphis.
But what do I know ?
Andy did win !
Does this mean Trans Siberian Orchestra will come here again?
This is/was not needed as the end of the world, as we know it, is at hand. Hopefully any and all sport contests will be banded for the next 5 years, and no one need ever eat at a restaurant again and alcohol needs to be banned along with all tobacco products. We need to wear the same clothing and follow the new Government/Medical Complex diet regimens. This needs to be forcefully enforced, at gun point, if need be. Enforcement with executions' of sentence to be swift and without hesitation.
I can't get the vision out of my head!
The Coliseum lights go to dark. Cindy and Phil are riding galloping steeds, standing on the saddles. Cindy is doing a lit-up Hula-Hoop and Phil is holding a sparkler in each hand. Spotlights scan the crowd and everybody is cheering. Suddenly a light shines on the south end...Andy Gibson appears, riding a squealing pig while waving that hat. The crowd erupts. The smell of popcorn permeates the venue.
Making The Coliseum Great Again...
2:52's obviously a VERY disgruntled ex-employee.
What happened to the original renovations for the coliseum designed by Wier Boerner Allin that included expanded concourse/concession areas, a club level, a new main entrance, and updates to the exterior? https://wbaarchitecture.com/projects_wba/mississippi-coliseum/
If what is described in the press release is all that was done, this place is still a dump.
Two million dollar renovation. That's (in ag terms) chicken-feed. They painted some walls and the floor and replaced some seats. What the hell is renovated? The bathrooms still resemble stadium urinals at Mississippi State. Who the hell over the age of forty likes climbing those damned concrete stair-steps? The entrance door protocol is atrocious (ten door and three work). The ticket window resembles a 1955 picture-show venue...
But this state pig now has a bit of fresh lipstick. Not much, but a bit.
Great job. Maybe they can share how this was completed in a reasonable amount of time with the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, JMAA. JMAA has never been able to complete a substantial project on time.
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