Officials break ground for 'District at Midtown'
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The following is a press release from the Area Development Partnership.
Nearly a decade ago, the planning process began for an extensive redevelopment of Hattiesburg’s Midtown District. The Midtown in Motion Master Plan outlines new form-based building codes for the targeted redevelopment district connecting The University of Southern Mississippi with Forrest General Hospital and Hattiesburg Clinic.
The overarching goal is to create a walkable, workable, livable mixed-use community that connects people to living, shopping, dining and the like. The hard work of many will soon pay dividends in the heart of Hattiesburg with the unveiling of The District at Midtown.
The next step of a redeveloped Midtown has come to fruition with The District at Midtown groundbreaking. Located at 31st Avenue directly across Hardy Street from The University of Southern Mississippi, The District at Midtown will be a living, shopping and dining mixed-use development, and will be home to the Hotel Indigo – the boutique hotel brand’s first operation in the state of Mississippi.
Since no two Hotel Indigos are the same, patrons can expect to see design elements within the facility’s 100 hotel rooms and throughout the property that are specific to the Hub City, including nods to the timber industry, rail industry and The University of Southern Mississippi. Retail and restaurant storefronts will line Hardy Street on the northern end of the project and along 31st Avenue.
These will include Fuzzy’s Tacos, Newk’s Eatery, Pyro’s Pizza, Chicken Salad Chick, 5-Star Nutrition, AT&T and Hancock Bank locations, and The Midtowner – a brunch concept restaurant by local chef and restaurateur Robert St. John. The District at Midtown will serve the cornerstones of the regional economy, Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg Clinic and The University of Southern Mississippi, in the heart of the Hub City. The new development represents 200 new jobs and a $35 million investment on the part of local developer CR Properties, LLC, who are also responsible for The Claiborne at Hattiesburg – an upscale assisted living community – and the Hub City Lofts restoration of the Carter Building and the America Building in Hattiesburg’s Downtown district.
Governor Phil Bryant said, “Modernizing our communities to make them more livable is a key component of local economic development. I am confident The District at Midtown will do exactly that for Hattiesburg, and I am grateful to everyone involved for making the project a reality.”
According to Rob Tatum, Principal, CR Properties, LLC, “We are elated to be breaking ground today on a project that brings in a unique boutique hotel and adds restaurants and retailers that will be well received in the marketplace. Along with our many partnering entities, we are thrilled to be making such a strategic investment in the core of Hattiesburg.”
Mayor Johnny DuPree, City of Hattiesburg, stated “The District at Midtown is a game changing project for Greater Hattiesburg. This large-scale mixed-use development is a critical step in the redevelopment of the entire Midtown area.” David Hogan, President, Forrest County Board of Supervisors, commented “Forrest County is proud and excited to partner with Rob Tatum on this project. We greatly appreciate Rob’s decision to invest in his hometown when he has the ability to direct those resources elsewhere. We look forward to the continued partnership with the City of Hattiesburg and the ADP as Midtown continues to progress.”
Evan Dillard, Chair, Area Development Partnership, adds “The redevelopment of Midtown is crucial as we continue to strengthen our current economic pillars and recruit new companies to the region.”
The District at Midtown is a culmination of years of planning and a collaborative effort between CR Properties and numerous local and statelevel partners.
The City of Hattiesburg and Forrest County came together on the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, The University of Southern Mississippi developed the original Request for Proposal (RFP) for potential developments, the Area Development Partnership (ADP) has provided project assistance throughout and the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) granted a Tourism Rebate Program approval for a portion of the project. CR Properties has worked closely with the University, Forrest General Hospital, the City and County, and the Area Development Partnership to ensure the District at Midtown is cohesive with the overall Midtown development plan.
Construction is projected to last 12-14 months.
