The past is never dead, it's not even past.
The Faulkner truism applies today, even to Smith-Wills Stadium. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is fond of saying the city of Jackson built Smith-Wills Stadium when discussing the state's termination of the lease for the property, thus implying the state is getting something for nothing. However, the federal government, not the city of Jackson, paid for the construction of the stadium just as it paid for nearly almost all of the construction for Jackson's airport.
Once upon a time there was a federal program called revenue-sharing. Cambridge University provides an apt description of the program:
In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act, creating a program of general revenue sharing with state and local governments. At the signing ceremony, Nixon proclaimed that the new program would “give these hard-pressed governments the dollars they need so badly” and “the freedom they need to use those dollars as effectively as possible.” With virtually no strings attached, general revenue sharing offered state and local governments unprecedented spending discretion. And at the time of passage, its $30 billion price tag over the first five years made it the largest federal grant-in-aid ever enacted (Stephens and Wikstrom 2007, 39). Not surprisingly, state and local officials had lobbied vigorously for its passage; indeed, Nixon observed that its enactment would have been impossible without their support.
The program was terminated as part of the 1986 Tax Reform Act. However, the program paid for Smith-Wills Stadium. The Northside Sun reported on October 30, 1974:
It might be hard to read the print so here is an expanded version of the relevant passage.
The Clarion-Ledger reported the federal funding as well on September 25, 1974:
The city of Jackson purchased the property for $50,000 in 1944. However, the deed contained a reverter clause that stated the property would return to the state if the city did not use it for "park purposes." The legislature passed a bill this year that terminated the lease and directed the Attorney General to take appropriate action because the property was not used for park purposes.
Proponents of the bill said allowing a cigar bar to operate in the stadium and subleasing the parking lot to the V.A. for $360,000 a year violated the deed restrictions. The city of Jackson sued in Hinds County Chancery Court for a declaratory judgment last week.
Kingfish note: If the state successfully terminates the lease, it should refund Jackson's payment and do so in 2024 dollars.
40 comments:
Do y'all know how to determine if Chowke be lying? Easy: His lips be moving. Right?
'...and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality—judiciously, as you will—we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors...and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do'.
why should the State refund the money? does the lease specify this? If not, that would be illegal.
Cut Choak some slack. None of his people knew, If they had, they would have told him. At that point, assuming he was listening, he would have known. As he probably told his girlfriend, "It ain't his fault."
Is there still a baseball park there? And is that park ever used to play baseball or some other sport? Even though a part of the property is rented and used by the tenant for other purposes, unless those purposes are strictly prohibited by the state, I don't see how the reverter takes effect. There is still a functioning ball park there. I almost never agree with this sorry mayor but......
Appreciate you, Kingfish. It is a breath of fresh air when someone investigates what is claimed and posts facts.
Gonna have to think about the state reimbursing the city. Part of me thinks that would be very nice. Part of me thinks this was a contract and it was broken, which should not have a reward attached to that.
Unfortunately, Chowke's "useful idiot" voters believe every word out of his lying mouth.
Rounding-up, to better capture TRUE inflation between now and 1944, I get a tidy million Dollars for that property. It's nothing, really. And paying it, would be a gracious gesture.
However, the Cigar Bar was so foul/egregious/nasty/obscene/brazen.... I don't see that the state should be making any gracious concessions toward the city, over the Stadium. The State should be as PUNITIVE as it can be.
So, this was good research in discovering articles discussing the federal government/Jackson revenue sharing agreement. However, it’s disingenuous and not journalistic to not gather more facts before making a post.
Unless, of course, this website is merely an opinion piece by disgruntled conservatives and right-wing shills whose sole purpose is to bash Jackson - to further their own agenda of creating division and confusion and anger.
The journalism thing would be to obtain the actual revenue sharing agreement and read its terms. Perhaps the feds were fully repaid and/or repaid to the terms of the agreement in the twelve years the program was in place after the stadium was built? Why bash the city for making a good deal with the revenue sharing agreement? It enabled the stadium to be built. And that stadium was really enjoyed by many people in its heyday.
I pledge allegiance, to the federal checkbook.
Chok's playing everybody.
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2024/10/02/jackson-ms-smith-wills-stadium-a-brief-history/75391706007/
I think it is worth asking the question of why the state is interested in taking the property now. Someone must have an interest in it. Does the Hat want to expand the Ag Museum? Is this part of the Great City boondoggle? The place hasn't been a functioning park for a while. Who is pushing the state to take it back?
12:48 PM. I see by going to YOUR website that you did some incredible research.
Not bashing the city for making the deal with the Feds to build stadium. It really was a great place for many years. Sadly, it is not anymore. That one guy seems to be making a great little payday by subleasing parking. But that's not why it was built. It would be great if it could be used for something beneficial to the community.
great work, King Fish!
refund? If we're trying to balance a ledger, how about the state's losses for improper use and a turnover of those improper parking lease charges
Go to https://www.historicaerials.com/viewer enter in 1200 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS, select aerials, then select 1937, 1955, and 1960. It looks like it was a mostly dirt baseball field in 1955 after the divided highway was constructed, along with the US-51 bypass where I-55 now sits. But in 1937 it appeared to be a field. By 1960 there are two fields north of Lakeland and three south of Lakeland.
October 2, 2024 at 12:48 PM
Again, get your own blog, Melvin.
The city can have Smith Wills, I'm sure it will flourish just as the Zoo, Libraries, Thalia Mara Hall, the roads, water system, the list goes on and on. Lumumba has the reverse Midas touch. The airport on the other hand needs to be removed from Jackson's control entirely.
I cant figure out why anyone gives a shit about smith wills stadium? There hasnt been anything of any merit happening at that stadium in at least 20 years if not more.......
all of this is just being done strictly for garnering political talking points on BOTH SIDES
its attrocious!! leave those damn people alone (coj residents) and leave that damn stadium alone
12:48 - what you suggest - that Revenue Sharing "might have" required repayment doesnt take any research, if one knows anything about the 70's,which obviously you don't.
Revenue sharing dollars were not to be repaid; in any form, for any use. Those federal dollars were a direct 'grant' from Uncle Sam to local governments. No repayment required. Thanks for playing, come back soon with a better attempt to cloud the water.
The stadium as built has depreciated, the land under it has appreciated. The city does not get reimbursed for the land, which they violated use of. The stadium building has questionable value which must be adjusted for true cost of repairs/upgrades. Perhaps City should pay for its demolition.
Clarion Ledger did it first.
If memory is correct, the parking lot was resurfaced using a federal grant to the County somewhere around 1988 along with a small county matching grant. Again, no city dollars used to improve the area.
Mayor Flapsalot sure is opening wide and inserting foot.
It would make no sense (that means nonsense) to pay Jackson for violating the terms and conditions and retaking the parcel/facility.
Makes no more sense than the city repaying the State every dime it made over the life of the agreement.
Saw a bunch of movie set trucks out there today; who makes money for the use of the stadium?
Hi Donna!
I bet that sounded clever in your head when you wrote it. Just curious, did you go over to the CL and complain? Because Charlie Drape wrote a similar story without the documentation you so desire. Of course not because you are about trashing this site, not actually learning the truth. As for any repayment, read the post. I provided a revenue sharing definition. It was a grant, not a loan. You know what that means? No repayment. Still feel so clever? Oh, and who bashed the city for getting the feds to pay for it?
It's an old stadium. Traditional minor league baseball will not return. Period. Bennett is trying but he is recruiting from leagues that will probably never put 500 butts in the stands. If I had my way, I would tear it down and build a natatorium, similar to the Aquatic Center in Tupelo. Jackson metro area does not have a nice facility for swim meets. They have them at the old Courthouse but the parking is always a mess and it just has a few aluminum bleachers. It would bring tourism to the area, an area with museums and near retail. It would also provide a better place for high schools to practice as well instead of using Briarwood's pool.
The federal government has paid and continues to pay far more for everything in Mississippi than taxpayers pay to the feds. The city fathers anywhere in this state can't claim to have done more than give contracts to their supporters using federal money.
Using the theory of where money orignated for our expensive expenditures, the state government could take over every city and town in this state! Indeed, Madison County wouldn't annex anything that didn't already have federal water and sewer lines already in place 46 years ago nor would Ridgeland.
There was a major federal grant which upgraded SW also along the way .
It strikes me that the original legislation did not define "park purposes and purposes incident thereto." That leaves a hole wide enough to drive a Mack truck through. There is a great argument that a Cigar bar brought revenue to the stadium, Just as the Left Field Lounge did years ago. No one complains that the quasi-public Central Miss. Planning and Development District has operated there for years. Also, no one complained when the parking lot of the stadium was used as a staging ground for COVID vaccinations. The same could be said of the sub-lease to the V.A. for parking. Each generates revenue to facilitate the continued functioning of the park. The bill to re-take the property simply declares that the property is not being used for "park purposes" and again does not define what is or is not a "park purpose." One questions whether the enabling legislation could be altered as such 80 years after the fact anyway. For that reason alone, my money, at least at the Chancery Court level, will be on the City.
What an idiotic statement - there were no federal sewer lines in Ridgeland and Madison prior to their being incorporated, and any waterlines that may have existed were part of a rural water association's system that have long been replaced, as those 2 and 4 inch lines would never provide adequate service.
Did either use federal dollars to assist in the construction of water, or sewer, or roads, or whatever? Very possible. But this is not a case of 'where money originated' but rather a deed restriction that rides with the property.
Try again next week once you come up with a better claim. This one sounds no more intelligent than the crap that comes out of the Mayor's mouth.
I had the pleasure of attending the 2022 GCAC Baseball Championship, sponsored by Hope Credit Union, at the 5,200-seat Smith-Wills Stadium—a well-known venue for college-level baseball games. As an alumnus of Dillard University in New Orleans, I thoroughly enjoyed the event and was impressed with the facility. Teams like Tougaloo College and Rust College from Holly Springs participated, and I felt safe and engaged throughout the entire experience.
While I didn’t stop by the Cigar Shop for snacks or an adult beverage, I did take note of it among the stadium’s amenities. It brought to mind the Braves stadium in Pearl, which features a restaurant and drinks, and I thought the Cigar Shop could have thrived similarly with the right support. Rather than shutting it down, I believe concerns or complaints could have been addressed, making the space more inclusive and family-friendly. With a few adjustments, it could have enhanced the overall experience for a wider audience.
Jackson needs more venues like this, and if we work together to improve them while being inclusive of all races, ages, and backgrounds, we can create entertainment spaces that attract visitors—even from places like New Orleans—for an afternoon baseball game.
"The same could be said of the sub-lease to the V.A. for parking. Each generates revenue to facilitate the continued functioning of the park."
Except that the guy who leased from the city and sub-leased to the VA didn't pay the rent he was supposed to pay to the city, and the city turned around and forgave the back-due rent.
At 9:03 a.m., it was noted that building a natatorium in Jackson would be a great idea. There's enough space to preserve Smith Wills Stadium while also constructing the natatorium. The complex in Laurel, with its walking trail, excellent swimming facility similar to Tupelo's, and overall impressive health amenities, serves as a strong example. Jackson, as the state's capital, could greatly benefit from a facility like this, promoting health and family-friendly activities. Keeping the baseball stadium would further enhance the appeal, making the city a hub for both recreation and wellness.
he GCAC Baseball Championship 2022 held by Hope CreditThere have been baseball games on a college level held at the 5,200 seat venue known as Smith Wills Stadium. I am an alumnus of Dillard University in New Orleans Louisiana. I went out to t Union. The facility was very nice. Tougaloo College and Rust of Holly Springs were participants. I did not go to the Cigar Shop for snacks or an adult beverage; however, I did visualize it. The Braves stadium had a restaurant and drinks in Pearl so if the Cigar shop was a success in attendance, than it seems it should have been supported. I actually thought they should have stayed open and the complaints should have been addressed so all felt comfortable attending and a change to have made the Cigar shop more family friendly.
@11:43 AM But whether or not the City was paid or was operating at a profit at all is not the State's concern, nor was it a stated rerason to try to revert the property back to the State.
making the cigar shop family friendly…that’s rich.
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