| cover story |
off West and State streets. Veterans Memorial sits on property across from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. UMMC has indicated it would like to use the area to expand as the state proceeds with plans to establish a medical corridor. “I think we need to keep in mind that this whole project is a Mississippi project,” Cook said. “I thank God for Carolyn Meyers, for a president with the courage of her vision, who’s shown us how to be committed to dreaming beyond what has been and seeing the unlimited possibilities of what could be, if we just don’t give in to our fears. We can be the flagship of HBCUs and a leader among higher education institutions across this country.” Cook said the stadium project is unprecedented in Mississippi, “but it’s a plan that’s not totally generated from state and public funds.” There are four potential sites for the stadium. All would accommodate the stadium design. George Heery, a principal with the Brookwood Group and former owner of Heery International, is the lead architect. Heery has directed or been involved in more than 120 projects around the world, including
the Carrier Dome. The stadium would belong to a limited liability corporation owned by the Jackson State University Development Foundation. The foundation would contract SMG to manage the facility and book additional activities. SMG is one of the largest and well-regarded stadium management companies in the world. The university would use the stadium rent-free between 45 and 50 days per year for football and basketball games and other special events. The facility would be rented out an additional 200 days a year. The stadium would be made available for use by various entities, including the city, county, state and other universities, for a fee. Hoard said the stadium would produce revenue for JSU, the city and state as it draws spectators from inside and outside the region. Those people would spend money on hotels, in restaurants and on retail. “There’s no doubt it would be a boon to tourism,” Hoard said. “The dome stadium would have a tremendous effect on Jackson State’s economic impact on the region.”
jacksonian | 13