North State Street

The Clarion Ledger writes about the developments on North State Street:

More than $50 million is being invested in construction projects on five blocks of North State Street between Baptist Medical Center and the high-rise once known as Magnolia Towers.

Construction is under way at Baptist Medical Center on a $40 million expansion, while a few blocks away, face-lifts are taking place at two high-rise residential buildings and several smaller buildings.

"Investors are realizing the potential of the area," said Virgi Lindsay, executive director of the Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation. "There's a strong economic base in the area. We have about $60 million in expendable income in this neighborhood."

...Sapheneia Medical Minimally Invasive Therapy Institute at 932 N. State St., which looks more like a boutique hotel than a medical clinic, has led the way in renovating the area. The clinic opened in August.

...Across the street from Sapheneia and down a block, the four-story City View Apartments building at 827 N. State St. is being transformed into luxury condominiums with a rooftop terrace. Tropical landscaping and gating will be added.

...At North State and Barksdale streets, a $5 million renovation is under way to update Magnolia Towers. Construction is expected to be complete this fall, and the building will be known then by its address, 809 State St., said Bill Hardin, manager of special projects for Park Development in Jackson.

...Admiral Extended Stay and Retirement Center at 905 N. State St. has been revamped and is marketing itself as an extended-stay facility for patients at the area's medical centers, Lindsay said.

...Baptist Medical Center has the largest project under way - construction of a six-story tower on the west side of the hospital. It should be complete in the fall of 2008.

...Baptist Medical Center recently purchased the former Church's Fried Chicken location at North State and Carlisle streets and tore the building down. Plans are to landscape the lot and use it for additional parking for Medical Arts East, Channell said. Baptist owns about 40 acres on State Street, including the building located next to McDonald's.

Wesley Wilson, owner of Jackson Brace & Limb Co. at 1320 N. State St., is completing renovations of the building next door at 1316 N. State St., said his daughter, Rebecca Dickerson. The two buildings are across from Baptist Medical Center.

...Tom Ross, president of Ross and Associates, is renovating a 7,000-square-foot building at 925 N. State St. The building once housed a medical supply company. He expects to have it complete in 90 days and plans for his business to occupy the center portion.

...Allen Langford, owner of United Medical Recovery medical collections agency at 950 N. State St., recently purchased a building at 960 N. State St. for another business he owns, Langford Financial Services commercial debt collection. He plans to invest $60,000 in the building, which was once a podiatrist's clinic....