Today brought another big announcement for the Natchez Renewal. At a press conference this morning, Natchez Mayor, Dan Gibson, Natchez city officials, and various business partners gathered with the community in the shadow of the beloved Eola Hotel to officially reveal plans for her revitalization and reopening. We are looking at first quarter of 2022 for the groundbreaking and renovations to begin.
At the opening of the press conference, Mayor Gibson also teased a billion-dollar deal in the works with Velocys, which he and Natchez, Inc. will have a meeting about later today in Jackson with Gov. Reeves. However, “Today is about The Eola. A grand lady coming back from the ashes, we call this Project Phoenix,” Gibson proclaimed during the Thursday morning briefing.
Mayor Gibson has brought together a team of professionals and developers to ensure the very best for The Eola’s future. The development group, Endeavor, was enlisted to lead this project, which was represented by Hayes Dent of Jackson, president of Hayes Dent Public Strategies.
Dent has partnered with Natchez Inc., Kevin Preston of Magnolia Bluffs Casino, and architect, John Stewart, among others to make this project possible. For food and beverage, they have also partnered with Dickie Brennan, award-winning restaurant owner of New Orleans. The Eola will also be affiliated with a major chain hotel, which will be named at a later date.
Dent and Gibson also took time to recognize Walter Davis and the Fry family for their donation of the Fry Building, next door to the Eola. This donation, which will allow the city to building a much-needed parking structure, was paramount in the success of Project Phoenix.
Each person that spoke shared their own personal stories from the Eola over the years. That is part of the legacy of The Eola Hotel; almost everyone that lives in or has frequently visited Natchez has an “Eola Story.” She is indeed a “grand lady” and has been dearly missed over the past few years by locals and travelers alike. Just like the large, excited crowd gathered for this announcement, we look forward to watching The Eola Hotel and Natchez continue to rise.
Comments