NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM visits with Gary Taylor, president of Gary A. Taylor Investment Co., on a yearly basis for a question and answer session about development in Jackson and Madison County for 2019 – with a look back at 2018.

Question: For several, 2018, was a continuation of what we’ve grown accustomed to.
What year would you say Jackson and Madison County began to expand the way it has, and what would you say has attributed to the amount of projects we’ve seen during that time?

Answer: One of the greatest expansion periods in the history of Jackson was between 1995-2005. I attribute a large part of the expansion to three key Leaders – Jim Moss, who was president/CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare; John Williams, president/CEO of Jackson Energy Authority and Jackson Mayor Charles Farmer.

Jim Moss – In 1980, revenue at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital was approximately $50,000 million. In 2010, revenues were over $1 billion. His servant style leadership along with his vision and “get it done” attitude grew the hospital to the largest job producer in West Tennessee. Due to his leadership, Jackson has become the medical Mecca of a 13 county region. 

John Williams – He had the vision for Jackson to be one of the first small cities in the nation to be connected with fiber optics. The $60 million investment for fiber optics seemed to be crazy at the time, but has proved to be one of the best investments our city has ever made. He also started Tenergy, which has grown to become a large part of the services of JEA. His foresight and managing principles continue to be ingrained in the JEA culture. He was about taking care of all customers.

Charles Farmer – He led the efforts to rebuild downtown after the (2003) tornado. He retained the urban planning institute to assist in the redevelopment planning efforts. As a result, much of what we see today in the restoration of downtown is from his leadership.
 
In addition, he brought (minor league baseball), a 17-field baseball, softball complex at exit 85, where over 200,000-square-feet of development has occurred, and he had the insight to expand the interchange at (Highway) 45 (Bypass) and I-40 to open up development along Vann Drive.
 
The result is over two-million square feet of retail, hotels, restaurants, banks, car dealerships and movie theatres.
 
This has created over an additional 2,000 jobs and over $300 million new (retail sales) dollars from primarily outside the City of Jackson.

Question: One of your newest projects on Vann Drive is Empire Theatre. Could we get you to discuss this development, and what the theatre will mean to Jackson and the area?

Answer: Phoenix Theatres is the managing and operating company of the new luxury eight screen Empire Theatre under construction and located in the Columns Development scheduled to open this spring.

MG Construction Company, led by owner Mike Gardner, and Birmingham Architect David Bledsoe have done an excellent job constructing the project.

Paul Taylor is the project manager, and represents the owner for all construction and scheduling matters.

The amenities will include on-line reserved electric reclining seats, high quality sound and projection system, acoustic sound proofing system, craft beer, fresh popcorn and an expanded menu. The goal is to provide the community with a more enhanced movie experience.

Question: On the subject of Vann Drive, can you tell us about your newest development – a strip center on Pleasant Plains Extended in The Columns, or the 100-plus acres west on Vann Drive that can be developed?

Answer: Not yet

Question: Can you tell us about future plans for Park Place East and West near the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex?

Answer: There are currently two hotels under construction and another hotel projected to start in May of 2019.

There’s two fast food restaurants and a dental office set to begin construction. We anticipate building another retail center across from Subway in 2019. We think a Walk-In (Medical) Clinic and a pharmacy will eventually be a part of the development.

Question: It’s been a few years since plans for developing Smith Farms (north of Oil Well Road) were announced. Is it possible we could see activity in 2019?

Answer: I’m not sure, but it’s not likely. The retail sector is going through a difficult time regarding new stores.

Question: Do you have any thoughts about a proposed hotel/conference center near The Ballpark at Jackson?

Answer: In my opinion, it needs to be revenue neutral. If it proves to not cost the city anymore money – it should be a good project.

I’m not sure the city can financially take on anymore additional expenses based on the current budget and current debt.

We need projects that will bring money into the city coffers and not take them out. I’m OK with the TIF funds being used to create new jobs, the property taxes being deferred, and the hotel/motel tax going back to the hotel owner.

It does get cloudy when other hotels are paying all the same taxes, and in part it doesn’t seem fair. However, no group has stepped up to invest and build a conference center, and if the community sees this as a need, it’s probably the only way it gets done.

(PHOTO: Gary Taylor, president, Gary A. Taylor Investment Company)
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