Meridian’s historic Threefoot Building has new life

It was built in 1930 and at one time the Threefoot Building in downtown Meridian was the tallest building in Mississippi.

Eighty-five years later, the 16-story structure is undergoing a transformation after years of neglect and decay in part to a renovation project led by Ascent Hospitality Management LLC.

For Mississippi Power, that means a huge shot in the arm to the company’s local economic development efforts, especially in the downtown area.

“The selling of the Threefoot Building is great news for the Meridian central business district,” said Eddie Kelly, Meridian Division manager. “It will be a great draw for other potential businesses looking to come to Meridian. It also fits well with the other renovation projects going on downtown.”

One of those projects is the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center, for which groundbreaking ceremonies were held Oct. 3.

For Meridian native Alisha Bailey, a new beginning at the Threefoot Building further signals a “rebirth to the downtown area.”

She serves as the company’s Economic Development representative in Meridian, and says projects like the Threefoot Building plan are significant in attracting future commercial and industrial development ventures.

“The history behind the Threefoot Building is a big deal to the people who live here,” Bailey said. “In 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and it became an official Mississippi landmark in 2008. In the 1930s, the building was mainly used for office space, however it’s been vacant since the 1990s. Planning is still in the early process, but eventually it will be a Courtyard by Marriott with 120 guest rooms and meeting space.”

Bailey also added that it’s expected to take about a year for plans to be finalized and potential construction to begin.