As the City of Jackson embarks upon a new year, more entrepreneurs are buying into the vision of the need for additional development and revitalization in the capital city.
Among these entrepreneurs are two local longtime Jackson businessmen who have formed a development consortium to construct a parking lot/hotel combination on the banks of Town Creek at Court Street.
Dean Blackwell of Blackwell Chevrolet, and Socrates Garrett of Garrett Enterprises Consolidated, Inc., along with Roger Landry, an Atlanta-based developer, were among those who recently presented a proposal to the Jackson Redevelopment Authority (JRA) for what is being unofficially called, The Court Street Hotel Project.
Blackwell said they have not identified a hotel brand name yet. However, the plans are for the structure to be a 100-130-room lodging facility at Court and Lamar streets.
Garrett, whose entrepreneurial spirit stems back to his childhood, said, “My involvement is based upon my desire to see the city continue to be revitalized.” He said he wants to invest in community projects and developments which make good economic sense.
Although Garrett compliments Blackwell for being the lead visionary of the project, both men share a common bond of wanting to see their city grow and attract businesses and events like other major cities.
“The Court Street Hotel Project is one of those initiative I feel really good about,” said Garrett. “I think there is tremendous need for hotel space to support the Convention Center and the new federal courthouse.”
It was that need and others south of the Complex that were the driving factors in putting together this consortium according to Blackwell. He said they are also looking at an additional two and a half acres of land in that area in which they envision a coffee/sandwich shop, gas station and restaurant. Blackwell also shared that JRA was excited about their proposal.
Garrett, who also owns a construction company, has his sight set on involving his company in more technological jobs, particularly the push for broadband Internet access infrastructure in rural communities.
As for slowing down or retiring, Garrett told The Mississippi Link, “One day when you hear the question on the commercial that asks, ‘where did you get that app?’ – the answer just might be: ‘Garrett Enterprises.’”
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