JSU Stadium Vs. Downtown Arena

A plan to build a downtown arena in Jackson, Miss., in the works for about five years may be derailed by the city university’s plan to build an on-campus stadium.

Jackson State University officials want to build a $200 million, 50,000-capacity domed stadium on campus to host its football and basketball teams as well as concerts and other events. The university has tapped SMG, which operates the city’s Jackson Convention Center, to oversee the future stadium.

Meanwhile, the Jackson City Council and other backers have already been studying the feasibility of building a 9,000-capacity downtown arena at an estimated cost of $115 million.

What is yet to be settled on both projects is securing the funding as well as whether the market can support two venues. A bill that would have supplied $75 million in state bonds was reportedly killed in the state House but could be revived as part of a larger bonding bill for colleges and universities.

Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Executive Director Duane O’Neill has reportedly suggested keeping the arena plan open in case the university’s stadium plan doesn’t pan out.

City officials have also discussed renovating the city’s aging, 10,000-capacity Mississippi Coliseum.