The Millward Mega-Dig: Jackson’s Deepest Basement + Robot Parking Lot?

Big changes could be coming to the corner of Millward and Pearl. Dauntless Capital Partners has proposed a bold new 66,000-square-foot mixed-use development in downtown Jackson, complete with 67 hotel rooms, underground robotic parking, and a design that digs deeper (literally) than anything Jackson’s ever seen.

Supporters are calling it a creative solution for a constrained downtown. Critics? They’re not sold on the density or the idea of a single car elevator managing the whole garage. Here’s what’s planned, what’s raising eyebrows, and what comes next.

🏗 Development Overview

• Location: 50 S. Millward Street at Pearl Avenue, downtown Jackson.
• Program: A 66,000 ft² mixed-use hotel and residential development to replace 12 existing short‑term rental units.
• Units included: 67 hotel rooms, 7 deed-restricted (workforce/housing-required) units, and 3 market-rate residential units.

Aspect	Details
Site	50 S. Millward St & Pearl Ave, downtown
Total Area	~66,000 ft²
Structure	3 stories above ground + ~33k ft² underground
Components	67 hotel rooms, 10 residential units (7 deed‑restricted), retail
Pertinent Features	Automated underground parking (75 spots via car elevator)
Key Concerns	System reliability, project scale, traffic & environmental impacts
Approval Process	Design Review → Planning Commission → Town Council, CUP pending

Design & Features

• Structure: Three above-ground stories for guest rooms, retail space, and residential units; roughly half (~33,000 ft²) is underground.
• Excavation: Approximately 38–39 feet deep basement, which is likely the deepest inhabitable foundation ever proposed in Jackson.
• Automated Parking: A single-car elevator leads to a robotic Automated Parking System (APS) that accommodates 75 underground parking spaces. This design choice frees surface space and reduces visible bulk.

Review Process & Concerns

• Planning milestones:
  • Sketch Plan passed Design Review Committee unanimously.
  • Planning Commission granted support (with required traffic and parking studies).
  • Town Council discussed it on July 7; further review postponed to August 4.
• Primary concerns voiced:
  • Potential for the APS to fail (e.g. elevator breakdown) and disrupt traffic flow.
  • The building’s density and scale relative to site footprint—some councilors felt it may be overdeveloped.
  • Potential impacts on local infrastructure, employee/affordable housing supply, traffic, and environmental conditions.
• Mitigation steps requested:
  • Traffic and parking studies.
  • Groundwater, geotechnical safety, and environmental impact assessments.
  • Conditional Use Permit (CUP) review because it’s within the Downtown Design Overlay zone.

Community & Planning Context

• Supporters’ perspective: Councilor Devon Viehman described the underground parking as particularly creative for space-constrained Jackson, and suggested the design conceals mass more effectively.
• Skeptics’ perspective: Councilor Kevin Regan raised concerns about overuse of limited downtown real estate and questions about system reliability.

What’s Next?

• A detailed Development Plan including traffic, parking, groundwater, and environmental studies is expected before final approval.
• A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) will be required to assess community, design, and infrastructure impacts.
• Council will revisit the plan on or after August 4, giving stakeholders more opportunity for feedback and adjustment.