State might buy old Dennery's restaurant
State considering buying old Dennery's restaurant building and the Regency Hotel and tearing them down for fairground parking.
State might buy old Dennery's restaurant State considering buying old Dennery's restaurant building and the Regency Hotel and tearing them down for fairground parking. Check out this story on clarionledger.com: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/19/why-state-may-buy-old-dennerys-restaurant-and-regency-hotel/351104002/
Jimmie E. Gates, Clarion Ledger Published 2:30 p.m. CT Feb. 19, 2018 | Updated 4:00 p.m. CT Feb. 19, 2018
This file photo shows Dennery's Restaurant on Greymont Ave. in Jackson which closed after 60 years.(Photo: Clarion Ledger)
In its heyday, Dennery's restaurant adjacent to the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson was a hot spot for state and national leaders, dignitaries and sports stars who wanted to dine and socialize.
But for the last decade, the large building that housed the eatery has sat empty. The building is still listed as owned by John Dennery, but Hinds County tax records show no property taxes have been paid on it in the last three years.
Now, if the state has its way, the old Dennery's, the Regency Hotel — once a premier location in Jackson for conferences — and another parcel on Greymont Avenue, immediately east of the fairgrounds, will be razed to make way for additional parking for the fairgrounds.
Read: Mississippi State Fair Commission head ousted
A House bill awaiting Senate action would authorize the Department of Finance and Administration to purchase the properties for the Mississippi Fair Commission at fair market prices.
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Rep. Randy Boyd, R-Mantachie, who handled House Bill 766 on the House floor, said the plan is for the Fair Commission to create 1,500 additional parking spaces for overflow crowds at the Mississippi Coliseum and the Trade Mart building. The Fair Commission is planning to build a new exhibit hall to replace the Trade Mart, which could increase the need for parking.
Lawmakers say no dollar amount has been attached to the legislation because the Department of Finance and Administration will have to determine a fair market value for the properties.
Boyd said the Fair Commission believes it can make revenue from additional parking to help pay for the cost to purchase the properties.
Responding to a question from Rep. Chris Bell, D-Jackson, Boyd said there is no plan for the state to purchase the Holiday Inn Express at the intersection of Greymont and High Street.
Replacing the Mississippi Trade Mart building has been the goal of Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Hyde-Smith has said the building, which was built in 1962, is outdated and too small to accommodate some large exhibits.
The Legislature previously approved $30 million in bonds for the project. It's expected that work could begin this year. The Trade Mart will remain open until the new building is constructed.
Contact Jimmie E. Gates at 601-961-7212 or jgates@gannett.com. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
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