Landers Center expansion project update

Photo: A rendering of the Landers Center and how it may appear once the center’s expansion project is completed. This rendering was shown during Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

AERC architect Doug Thornton believes we should start seeing construction go vertical at the Landers Center expansion site in about 1-2 months with completion on the $88.7 million project to be in the summer of 2027. 

That’s some of the information Thornton provided to the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors at its Monday meeting in Hernando.  

Thornton told supervisors that site grading and pacing expected to be done by June 2 for the project that will expand the convention center space and relocate the Landers Center Theatre to another portion of the complex. 

Thornton said the overall design for the facility is on track and there’s been significant interest from contractor for the project.  

A groundbreaking ceremony for the expanded Landers Center is expected in the next several days but officials are trying to coincide the event with the 1998 date that groundbreaking originally took place for the then-called DeSoto Civic Center. 

While the entire package of design renderings is to be shown to a board meeting of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the owner-operators of the Landers Center, one design rendering was shown to supervisors of how the front of the facility should look when finished.  

Security was discussed and the CVB plans to meet with the Sheriff’s Department, emergency management, and the Fire Department to discuss safety measures.

Thornton did emphasize the importance of cost control, especially with market volatility and tariffs.

“We’re hoping that we’re getting a lot of competition on the steel, especially, that will help us offset some of the anticipated tariff costs on steel,” Thornton said. “So far, we’re tracking on budget.”  

The new Landers Center will almost double its current size, which is now at 199,000 square feet, Thornton said. 

The expansion is part of a comprehensive upgrade of the center’s facilities along with the addition of an adjacent seven-story Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel. 

The on-site hotel is projected to make the Landers Center more attractive to events and make Southaven and DeSoto County more competitive in the events market.