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The commission voted unanimously to spend up to $10,000 to see if a 500- to 2,000-seat performing arts facility would be a viable option.
"We might find that it's not worth doing," said Scott Reed, commission president. "We're going through it with an open mind."
Reed and Todd Hunt, executive director of the BancorpSouth Arena, said they expect to spend the summer trying to determine if it's economically feasible for the commission to own or lease a venue built on or near the BancorpSouth Arena's campus.
The pair will determine if there are any public or private partners to help with the effort. They'll also investigate city, state and federal sources for funding, Reed said.
The first phase probably will include an artist's rendering of the proposed facility.
The goal is to complete the initial investigation in time for the city's budgeting process in September.
Contact M. Scott Morris at (662) 678-1589 or scott.morris@djournal.com.