APPEAL STATUS: Judge Upholds Highrise!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Just to let you know, Judge Richardson ruled on the lawsuit on the 13 story building. The ruling is in favor of the city of Ridgeland, therefore the decision made by the board of alderman is affirmed.

CONGRATULATIONS, Renaissance and Ridgeland!

Ridgeland aldermen to consider parking garage plans for 200 Renaissance

Ridgeland aldermen to consider parking garage plans for 200 Renaissance

By Leah Square
leah.square@mcherald.com

In Ridgeland’s mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting tonight, aldermen will consider modifications to the plans for a parking garage for a controversial 13-story office building.

The building, also known as 200 Renaissance, is located in mixed-use development Renaissance at Colony Park on Highland Colony Parkway.

According to the minutes of the city’s Architectural Review Board meeting Aug. 26, 200 Renaissance developer Buster Bailey proposed a “green screen” system in lieu of the previously approved metal perforated screen panels to be placed around the garage.

The green screen will be a system of metal trellises attached to the exterior of the garage.

Vines are to be planted at the base of the system and will cover the trellises over time.

The original metal screen was designed to screen cars from view and provide air circulation. Bailey said the green screen will function in the same way but will also make the parking garage more aesthetically pleasing.

Bailey and the city are currently involved in a heated court battle with a group of residents calling themselves Zoning Ordinances Need Enforcement over the 13-story building.

The city approved the building in October 2007, issuing a height variance and conditional use permit to allow the building to be built higher than four stories.

Four stories is the maximum building height allowed by the city.

ZONE dislikes the building’s tall height and wants the ongoing construction process halted. Bailey supporters contend the building will bring upscale tenants into Ridgeland.

Lawson Hester, a ZONE attorney, expects Madison County Circuit Court will make a decision regarding the building in the next several weeks.

200 Renaissance will house the employees of Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada law firm, the Horne CPA Group and Regions Bank’s corporate headquarters.

The building will be ready for tenants to move in during the fall 2009, Bailey has said.