Opening dates were scheduled for some of the businesses but funding and foundation issues put them on hold.
"Our Achilles' heel on this project is the fact we don't really have money invested in it," said Council President Tony Yarber.JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
It's still quiet along Farish Street, an area projected to become the city's entertainment district.
The City Council discussed the need for progress at Tuesday's meeting.
"Our Achilles' heel on this project is the fact we don't really have money invested in it. So we can't necessarily call certain shots. However, we do have some say so and this council is leveraging that," said Council President Tony Yarber.
The Jackson Redevelopment Authority holds the master lease and Watkins Development is leasing the land from them. The JRA has been asked to brief the economic development committee, so Council can form strategies moving forward.
"When we talk about Farish Street we're not simply talking about a group of council folk who are frustrated with it. We're talking about a city whose history revolves around Farish Street," expressed Yarber.
Opening dates were scheduled for some of the businesses but funding and foundation issues put them on hold.
"It just breaks my heart to see Farish Street just not up and running. Just promises and promise. We're going to do this. We're going to do that. But when?," said Janice Beal who has worked at Big Apple Inn for 15 years.
Beal says customers ask about the empty buildings everyday.
"They just [ask], 'when Farish Street? When Farish Street?' 'Soon,' all we can say is, 'soon,'" Beal said.
Watkins Development did not return calls for comment.
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