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Riverbend Crossing, DeSoto County, MS

tombarnes

By tombarnes
in Mississippi

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sleepy Burg

sleepy

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This article mentions Riverbend Crossing, but also talks about the general growth of the area. The hospital expansion appears to be well underway. From the Memphis Daily News

That area really is exploding. An article from this week's MBJ mentioned that DeSoto County now has the 3rd largest bank deposits in the state after Hinds and Harrison, up from something like 11th or 13th in 1990.

It wouldn't surprise me if by 2010, it tops Harrison in population as the 2nd largest county in the state. In 2004, it was the 4th largest county.

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DruidCity Hamlet

DruidCity

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Yet another article:

http://www.tunicatimes.com/default.asp?sou...catimes&he=.com

"Also included in the development is a large family oriented theme park. MGM is tentatively set to manage the park."

"In all, Riverbend Crossing is estimated to house 30,000 residents and attract 2.5 to 3 million tourists annually. The project is also estimated to create 28,000 new jobs."

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jmduke Whistle-Stop

jmduke

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The Memphis Commercial Appeal has had some news about the Riverbend Development the past several days. Project still appears to be in good shape.

From June 21st: Walls, MS gives approval: http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/desoto...4789951,00.html

From June 22nd: Plan pitched to state: http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/desoto...4792708,00.html

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Clobber Burg

Clobber

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The Memphis Commercial Appeal has had some news about the Riverbend Development the past several days. Project still appears to be in good shape.

From June 21st: Walls, MS gives approval: http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/desoto...4789951,00.html

From June 22nd: Plan pitched to state: http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/desoto...4792708,00.html

There's still the state government and whether or not it will be willing to help or not . . .

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tombarnes City

tombarnes

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I think that the State of Mississippi can be persuaded that this is a good way to spend its money. It may take longer than originally thought to wrest the money from them, but I do think it can and will be done.

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northernbizzkit1 Hamlet

northernbizzkit1

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More news on Riverbend

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/desoto...4799863,00.html

I drove past the area a few weeks ago. It's hard to believe that land might be destined for something so huge!

The way it says the shopping district will be anchored by a "nationally known outdoor sporting goods retailer" makes me wonder if Bass Pro Shops will add a third store in the Memphis area or if it will just be a Dick's Sporting Goods.

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tombarnes City

tombarnes

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Governor Barbour Likely to Call Special Session for Funding

Governor Barbour will likely call a special session for the legislature to debate an additional $57m in funding for infrastructure in the area around the proposed development. This is a bargain when one considers the untold benefits of this project. I hope the special session goes through without a hitch. I'd hate to see it derailed by legislators from other parts of the state.

The Clarion Ledger

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tombarnes City

tombarnes

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Senate Passes Legislation to Provide incentives for Riverbend Crossing- Really

The Mississippi Senate has fianlly passed legislation which will provide $23m in direct incentives and $175m in indirect tax incentives for the Riverbend Crossing project. I expect this will be signed by Governor Barbour without delay.

The Clarion Ledger

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WDWBish Crossroads

WDWBish

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Senate Passes Legislation to Provide incentives for Riverbend Crossing- Really

The Mississippi Senate has fianlly passed legislation which will provide $23m in direct incentives and $175m in indirect tax incentives for the Riverbend Crossing project. I expect this will be signed by Governor Barbour without delay.

The Clarion Ledger

Govenor Barbour signed the bill yesterday, at 2:00, at an event in the volunteer fire station in Walls. My girlfriend and i were present for the signing. Saw some very good plans for the first phase, which includes the MGM theme park, an according to the plans the outdoor retailer is not Bass Pro, but rather Cabela's. It was said we can expect the park to open in 3 years. Talked to John Mayo and you can expect pictures from the event to be posted on his site soon.

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tombarnes City

tombarnes

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Welcome to Urban Planet! Please do keep us posted on developments in and around Tunica. I can't wait to see more about Riverbend. From what I have heard, the hotel might be a St. Regis. There is also talk of a larger property for the convention trade. Can't wait to see your pics from the signing!

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WDWBish Crossroads

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Thanks for the welcome! I have been reading the forums for a while , trying to get more info on RBC and was glad I had some new info to post. As I hear more I'll keep you posted. Here are the pics John has up, can't see much of the project boards, but I'll try to get some pics of those soon.

http://www.johnmayo.com/bill_signing.htm

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djensen330 Unincorporated Area

djensen330

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This Info is Old but I got it from John Mayo's Website under press register

It Mentions a Ripley's Aquarium has anyone else heard this

Officials backing the Riverbend Crossing project in nearby DeSoto County met with area leaders Monday. The meeting, held at Rest Haven Restaurant, included speeches by state Rep. John Mayo , D-Clarksdale, and project manager Neil Burckart.

September 20, 2006

By: David Owens

Clarksdale Press Register

From left: Rep. John Mayo, Developer Neil Burckart, Rep. Clara Burnett, Rep. John Hines who chaired the meeting

Burckart, a representative of Highland Development, shared his vision on the 4,500-acre project.

"I've been working with developments since 1963, but none with the complexity of this project," he said. "Riverbend Crossing is huge. It's a 40,000 person city." Burckart said Riverbend Crossing will be one of the biggest cities in DeSoto County, but it wouldn't happen overnight.

"Besides the $2.7 billion estimated cost, there will be ongoing jobs that go on forever," he said. "This project will be a catalyst for development all over DeSoto County."

Burckart said a new school will be built two miles from the property in addition to other ventures.

Burckart said crews face a major obstacle in locating in the Mississippi Delta.

"People in Mississippi want to stay away from the Delta," he said. "None of us are from this area and we don't have that mindset. If we see a good opportunity, it's a good opportunity.

"We see this as a fantastic opportunity," Burckart said. "The casinos bring in traffic and a lot of money. This will be bigger than the casinos."

Burckart said Riverbend Crossing is going to need everything any community has including grocery stores, barber shops and the like.

The featured attractions are a 600-acre lake, a number of premiere hotels, two golf courses and a MGM theme park.

Burckart said employment opportunities will be numerous and surrounding towns, including Clarksdale, will get a piece of the action. "The golf course will need pros to people who cut the grass," he said. "For every job we create, we will need three to five to service that. If we create 3,500 jobs, that's 10,000 to 12,000 throughout DeSoto County and the Delta."

Burckart said the challenge will be finding qualified people to fill those positions.

"We're going to need help," he said. "This project will put a real strain on the workforce. We need people to be prepared for an opportunity."

Burckart said the project will see some vertical movement within a year because much landscaping needs to be done.

"We want this to be the best project," he said. "We have made an agreement with Comcast and Bell South to have the smarted community in the U.S." Burckart said the developers have thought "outside the box" with the project.

"They have no qualms about taking a chance to make something better," he said. "We're asked what is the percentage of work for the Delta. We don't want to go any further than we have to to find companies and workers."

Burckart said a majority of the employment will come when crews start building hotels, houses, commercial property and MGM.

The project covers property from the county line (Star Landing Road) to Highway 61 and the Mississippi River. "We intend to develop wherever we can along the Mississippi River," Burckart said. "MGM will cover 200 acres along with Ripley's Aquarium and dozens of smaller commercial businesses."

Burckart said there is also talk of bringing in a major hospital and convention center to Riverbend Crossing. "We're going to be watched by a lot outside Mississippi," he said. "This project is not just big in the Mid-South but big nationally. It will receive a lot of national recognition."

Mayo said what makes the project special is that DeSoto County nor Mississippi sought the project.

"They wanted to locate in the Mid-South," he said. "They had been researching for the last three years before we knew who they were. They settled on DeSoto County."

State Rep. John Hines, D-Greenville, said he hopes people take advantage of this opportunity.

"Don't let them roll by," he said. "Get to the depot ahead of time. As the northern part of the Delta grows, so does the central and the south."

Burckart said he wanted this pilot project to be a great starting point for the ongoing success of the state. "We're going to prove this can be done in the Delta," he said. "This project will open the eyes for the rest of Mississippi."

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johnnydr87 Burg

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Wow, I just read this report, and I'm incredibly jealous of Mississippi right now. This is an INCREDIBLE development:

Mississippi Casino Hub Getting MGM Family Zone to Bypass Vegas

By Jason Kelly

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Mississippi, the biggest U.S. gambling destination after Nevada and New Jersey, is determined to boost tourism -- without luring Las Vegas-style debauchery.

Casinos began rising from Tunica County cotton fields beside the Mississippi River 14 years ago. Now officials are negotiating for a $2.7 billion gaming-free development in adjacent DeSoto County, anchored by a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. movie theme park and backed by about $200 million in state incentives. Plans for the project, called Riverbend Crossing, include hotels, golf courses, shops and rides.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...id=aoVjbKOG_4_g

For an area that is prone to poor development news (the Delta), this project is a godsend. It should really uplift the economies in NW MS, SE TN, and eastern Arkansas.

Thoughts?

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Rardy Burg

Rardy

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I have been hoping for more news on this project. I can't imagine what the delay might be. Let's get this thing going!

well don't panic. these things take time. riverbend wasn't built in a day! (i know, i know...bad joke).

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