While Jackson State University’s new Downtown Campus has been compared to a bridge that connects students with government agencies, little is said about those who labored physically to resurrect the 52,000-square-foot structure.
MAC & Associates, LLC., 125 S. Congress Street, has been one of the top minority-owned firms in Jackson since 1996. It was hired as the general contractor for the $2 million university project that culminated in a grand opening ceremony Thursday, Sept. 3, and attracted more than 200 people. Guests included state and local elected officials, civic leaders and JSU faculty, staff, students and supporters. The building’s lobby was dedicated in honor of state Rep. Percy W. Watson, chair of the House Ethics Committee, who helped JSU secure the structure.
Marcus L. Wallace, president of the company, won the bid for the downtown renovation, and his firm has a strong relationship with JSU and other city entities. He said his organization was pleased to have the opportunity to remodel another landmark city facility.
“We’ve had an excellent relationship with the university over the years. Our future plan is to do more work for the institution,” said Wallace, who is also the mayor of Edwards.
In the past, the company has completed numerous tasks for JSU, such as gatehouse projects, parking lots, and renovations to its band room, Human Resources building and the president’s home.
The firm continues to leave its imprint throughout the city and has employed up to 80 people, performing jobs throughout Jackson, including a $90 million water and sewer infrastructure project for the City of Jackson, the Fondren Enhancement Project and street resurfacing. Also, it provided downtown enhancements to Thalia Mara Hall and City Hall and is involved in the downtown Westin Hotel construction.
Aside from construction services, MAC & Associates also focuses on project management. As a major contributor, it provided leadership and expertise to the $10 million roadway project that transformed Capitol Street into a two-way, pedestrian-friendly route.
Wallace says MAC & Associates is more than just about “business as usual.” He said community engagement is an important element of its mission statement. “We have a huge outreach division. We’ve provided more than 760 new coats to kids and distributed toys to children in the inner-city; given 8,000 backpacks to youths; and adopted Provine High School.”
And, if that’s not enough, the firm is currently expanding into Memphis and Shreveport, La.
Of his work with Jackson State, Wallace says, “I’m still extremely elated about the relationship and JSU’s confidence in allowing us to help bring its academic departments downtown. Furthermore, it’s seldom that minority firms are given huge projects. To perform a project for the largest HBCU in this state is a great opportunity for the university and local government.”
The businessman and elected official said more should be done to expose quality work of minority-owned firms because they are often overlooked. “MAC & Associates aims to give young people hope and let them know there are other careers they can pursue besides sports and entertainment that may be more short-lived,” he said.