The wheels are in motion for the City of Jackson to purchase Jackson Plaza located on Old Hickory Boulevard.
Jackson Plaza has been empty for the most part since the closing of Service Merchandise in 2002. Through the years, city leaders have heard plenty of complaints from Jacksonians about the unused space.
Jackson mayor Scott Conger says what started as work by the city Codes Department and the Fire Marshall on the buildings led to negotiations with property management company Aronov Realty and to the end of a long-term lease three and a half years early.
Conger says Aronov Realty would have been given the chance to bring the buildings up to code and avoid fines. But the company chose to end the lease. The original goal was to find a way to keep the buildings from being vacant any longer. The mayor says the goal now is for the city to purchase the 21-acre site for $4 million from the Rosenblum Family Trust.
According to Conger, the site was the number two option in a study of possible convention center sites back in 2017, when he was on the city council. The top choice was downtown, but land availability was an issue.
Conger says the Jackson Plaza location would allow for a roughly 10,000-seat arena and multi-use convention center, which would bring Jackson more opportunities for mid to large-sized conventions and concerts.
The possibility of such a major project in the heart of the city also brings the potential for the revitalization of the area from North Highland to the Highway 45 Bypass, and for improvements from Old Hickory Mall to I-40.
“The relationship between the Rosenblum Family Trust and the city has been reignited by the plans for Jackson Plaza,” Conger said. When asked if the purchase is made what effect it might have on the struggling Old Hickory Mall Conger said that “Rosenblum family member and representative Brad Snider has expressed interest in discussions with CBL, which owns the mall, once Jackson’s construction plans are in place.”
Not only could Jackson see a renewal of the entire area, the city would reap the financial benefit of increased tourism dollars with added hotels and restaurants needed to accommodate the surge of visitors.
The City Council Budget Committee will meet Thursday (Dec. 8) to discuss hiring an architectural and engineering firm to develop a master plan for the site. And if all goes as planned demolition of Jackson Plaza could begin late 2023.
