Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The Mill at Mississippi State University master plan is the recipient of a statewide award from the American Planning Association, Mississippi Chapter.
Named "Best Project/Outstanding Project" for 2014, the award will be presented on Thursday [Nov. 13] at the organization's annual luncheon in Tupelo.
A $40-million economic development project, The Mill at MSU is transforming the historic John M. Stone Cotton Mill, formerly MSU's E.E. Cooley Building, into a state-of-the-art conference and meeting complex.
The project was submitted by APA-MS member Buddy Sanders, who serves as community development director for the City of Starkville, an important partner in moving the project forward.
"The Mill at MSU is a great project restoring the former cotton mill in a historic, appropriate way," said Sanders. "It's providing an economic engine to continue additional smart growth projects in Starkville."
David Shaw, MSU's vice president for research and economic development agreed.
"We are witnessing this structure's repurposing into a 21st century economic asset for the local community and the larger region."
The award is presented for an outstanding plan for a neighborhood, community, region or campus, and may be prepared for a local, state or federal agency or jurisdiction.
The Mill master plan was judged based on its innovation, comprehensiveness, quality and implementation. Judging also was based on the holistic approach used to formalize project goals, objectives and recommendations. Also noted was The Mill's transferability or potential applicability to other areas of the state.
The 73,975-square-foot conference center will feature a 1,000-seat ballroom, breakout rooms, and Class A office space. The latest communication technologies will be integrated throughout the facility and on-site catering will be available.
Located on 11 acres at the corner of Russell St. and state Highway 12, the site also will include a 110-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel and a 450-car garage.
At a spring groundbreaking ceremony, MSU President Mark E. Keenum credited the team effort by all key stakeholders in seeing this project become a reality.
"It is a testament to the power of partnerships, without which none of this would be possible," he said of the immediate and far-reaching benefits for not only MSU, but the entire surrounding area.
Dale Partners is providing architectural services, while Copeland & Johns, Inc. serves as the construction manager. Mark Castleberry and Peachtree Hotel Group are leading development. Also, the National Parks Service, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and Mississippi Development Authority have been integrally involved.
The project is slated for completion in fall 2015.
For additional information about APA Mississippi, see http://msplanning.squarespace.com.
To learn more about Mississippi State, visit www.msstate.edu.