Keep the former Meridian Police Station a Mississippi Landmark!

The Issue

On October 23, 2023, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History posted a public notice announcing that the former Meridian Police Station is under consideration for removal of Mississippi Landmark designation.

Mississippi Landmark status “recognizes the historical and/or architectural significance of the property and requires that proposed alterations that may affect the property’s historic character be reviewed and approved by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.” If the Mississippi Department of Archives and History removes this protection from the former Meridian Police Station, the way will be paved for demolition or other changes to the structure that the City of Meridian or any future owner wishes to undertake; they could “put up a parking lot” despite the pre-existing parking garage located less than a block away from city hall.

Why should we, as citizens of Meridian or residents of Mississippi, care about the future of the former Meridian Police Station? This building was designed by Meridian architect Chris Risher Sr. and was built between 1975 and 1977. The application for Mississippi Landmark status states “as one of Mississippi's most outstanding works of Modernism, the police station is of exceptional architectural significance at the statewide level.” Numerous articles and blog posts below discuss the importance of this building.

We should see Mississippi Landmark status not as a roadblock to future development, but as a sign that we have something special: an opportunity rather than a shackle. In 2018, the former Meridian Police Station was the focus of a collaborative studio between MSU’s School of Architecture and its Building Construction Science Program. The publication created at the end of that cooperative studio highlights just a few of the potential uses of this building: theater, venue, restaurant, gym and fitness studios, local market, small museums, or art galleries. Creative use of this structure could bolster tourism in the downtown district as well as educational and economic growth centered around the Threefoot Hotel, MSU Riley Center, the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience, and the Meridian Children’s Museum.

Some argue that the cost of rehabilitating historic buildings outweighs the cost of building new; modern research has debunked this argument. The former Meridian Police Station, as a building that is eligible for listing on the national register, could take advantage of public-private partnerships to access National and State Historic Tax Credits and grant funds. These avenues should be explored before revoking the Mississippi Landmark Status of this building.

Lastly, the public notice states that “removal of Mississippi Landmark designation is considered when a property has lost significant architectural and/or structural integrity.” I believe the citizens of Meridian are entitled to know what significant loss has occurred and why that would justify the removal of status. Communities across Mississippi have saved and repurposed buildings in much worse condition than the former Meridian Police Station: the Old Hattiesburg High School and the Gulfport Library.

I ask you to reach out now and let public officials in Meridian and the Mississippi Department of Archives know that this place matters. The former Meridian Police Station should remain a Mississippi Landmark.

Either sign and comment on this petition which will be submitted to MDAH on December 29, 2023. Or you can write your own letter to Clay Mapp, Mississippi Landmarks Coordinator, Historic Preservation Division, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, P.O. Box 571, Jackson, MS 39205 or mslandmark@mdah.ms.gov

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