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A memo released by David Watkins today says that construction on the King Edward Hotel has begun. Has the threat of implosion finally passed?

Previous Comments

It would appear that everything is in order for a successful renovation of the King Edward! I look forward to seeing the progress this will bring to downtown Jackson!

#88646 | Author: tombarnes | Date: Aug 3 2006

I still want a tour. I guess the old lobby has been ripped off by “vagrants” by now…

#88647 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Aug 4 2006

They started back on the 17th? Praise da Lawd! I’m glad that $750,000 is earmarked so no one else can squander it. I really hope that they don’t run into any snags with the public bidding.

#88648 | Author: LatashaWillis | Date: Aug 4 2006

These pictures were taken fairly recently- I think in March or April. I found them on the web… http://edsam1.livejournal.com/15965.html?view=14685#t14685 Bear in mind that much of what is seen here will soon be cleaned out. The lobby retains more original detail than I had previously supposed.

#88649 | Author: tombarnes | Date: Aug 4 2006

Cool Pics! Too bad I’ve respected trespassing laws all these years.

#88650 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Aug 4 2006

What amazing photos. Thanks for posting them! I’ve never been inside the King Edward, but even from the street I could tell it has a lot of potential. Here’s hoping… Cheers, TH

#88651 | Author: Tom Head | Date: Aug 4 2006

really good news for you guys….

#88652 | Author: ATLExile | Date: Aug 4 2006

Johnson worked hard on this one and it is a victory, of sort, to know that this project was not killed as promised by frank melton.

#88653 | Author: justjess | Date: Aug 4 2006

He’s a worn out old man, but we are his children and I’m glad to see us come together and get our leading man back to swagger. I really hope all the red tape and filibuster is behind us and we can get this building up and running again. my mother is still alive and she remembers how it used to be. she tears up when she talks about it’s heyday. I would love her to be around long enough to see the remodel.

#88654 | Author: laughter | Date: Aug 4 2006

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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.

Mississippi native Donna Ladd and partner Todd Stauffer founded the Jackson Free Press in 2002 in the capital city. The heavily awarded local newspaper did many investigations heralded across the state and nation and served as a paper of record due to its diversity, inclusion, in-depth reporting and deep connection to readers and dedication to narrative change in and about Mississippi. In 2022, the nonprofit Mississippi Free Press, founded by Ladd and JFP Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin in 2020, purchased the journalism assets and archives of the Jackson Free Press. A Google grant through AAN Publishers enabled Newspack's integration of the JFP archives into the Mississippi Free Press website to become part of a more searchable archive of recent Mississippi history and essential journalism.