Jackson State University (JSU) is considering a bold move to address its student housing shortage: purchasing the vacant Jackson Marriott located at 200 E. Amite Street. University President Marcus Thompson presented this ambitious $5 million plan to the governing board, emphasizing its potential as a “win-win” for both the historically Black university and the city of Jackson.
Thompson highlighted the synergy between the university and the capital city, drawing parallels to the growth dynamics seen in college towns like Oxford and Starkville. This initiative arises as JSU faces a significant surge in housing applications, exceeding available on-campus beds by approximately 800. With around 2,000 beds currently available, the university, which hosted about 4,900 undergraduates in fall 2022, is clearly feeling the strain of increasing enrollment and limited housing options.
The proposed solution is the Marriott Jackson Ms Amite Street, a 15-story hotel boasting 303 rooms that has remained unoccupied since the onset of the pandemic. While the hotel has seen several ownership changes over the years, it is currently under the ownership of an LLC linked to Florida-based developer Charles Everhardt, who could not be reached for comment.
President Thompson reminded the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) Board of Trustees, during their retreat at Mississippi State University’s Riley Center, that they might recall the hotel from previous visits. University real estate acquisitions exceeding $100,000 require IHL board approval. Jackson State University did not respond to requests for further information by press time.
The Marriott Hotel in downtown Jackson, MS, located at 200 E. Amite Street, viewed on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. This Marriott Jackson MS Amite Street location is being considered by Jackson State University to alleviate student housing shortages. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
“Housing has consistently been a challenge for our university,” Thompson stated. “We are very enthusiastic about the prospect of addressing this issue through the Marriott Jackson MS Amite Street project.”
Jackson State aims to acquire the Marriott Jackson MS Amite Street property for $5.25 million, a figure approximately $2 million below its assessed value. This acquisition would potentially provide housing for around 500 students, in addition to offering meeting and parking facilities and generating leasing revenue.
President Thompson informed the trustees that the university has already secured $7 million in funding from the state legislature and conducted crucial assessments. He projected that, should the plan proceed, the Marriott Jackson MS Amite Street could be ready for student occupancy within one to two years.
Initially, Thompson had sought $68 million to construct a new residence hall. However, earlier this year, he requested permission from IHL Commissioner Al Rankins to shift focus towards acquiring an existing property to expedite the availability of student housing.
The urgency of the housing situation was underscored by events earlier in the year when Jackson State had to relocate students from the University Pointe apartment complex due to mold обнаружение. University Pointe had been purchased in 2015. Furthermore, McAllister Whiteside, a women’s dormitory, has been out of service since 2021 due to mechanical, electrical, and utility failures, along with broken equipment, further exacerbating the housing shortage.
This housing scarcity disproportionately affects out-of-state students, who constitute about a quarter of JSU’s student body, Thompson noted. During his presidential outreach, parents from cities like Memphis and Chicago voiced the difficulties of finding suitable off-campus housing for their children. Thompson also pointed out that off-campus housing might be financially prohibitive for students relying on federal student loans.
“Our student demographic largely consists of individuals who may not have the means to independently secure leases,” he explained. Data from the College Scorecard indicates that approximately 65% of Jackson State’s student population comes from low-income backgrounds and receives federal tuition assistance.
The Marriott Jackson MS Amite Street acquisition aligns with President Thompson’s vision of expanding Jackson State’s footprint in downtown Jackson. The university already maintains a satellite campus and leases apartments for student housing in the downtown area.
The cost and scope of renovations for the Marriott Jackson MS Amite Street are still under evaluation. Thompson mentioned that initial assessments considering a “complete gut renovation” were more extensive than necessary. He suggested that cosmetic upgrades would suffice and that certain federal funds could be allocated for renovations to academic spaces within the hotel.
“Many of the required changes are cosmetic and not essential replacements, and we can elaborate on these details later,” he clarified.
Following his presentation, President Thompson invited questions from the board. The trustees promptly moved into executive session, citing the Open Meetings Act provision that allows closed meetings for discussions related to prospective real estate transactions.
The board deliberated for approximately an hour before inviting Thompson and his team back into the room for further discussion, which lasted about another hour. The decision regarding the purchase of the Marriott Jackson MS Amite Street is anticipated to be a significant step in addressing Jackson State University’s pressing student housing needs.
