The era of JUMP begins

At long last, the public will get a chance to see the inside of Jack’s Urban Meeting Place.

Some of the details, including the landscaping of the grounds, will have to wait for completion of the J.R. Simplot Co. headquarters, located on the same lot. The people who run JUMP aren’t booking events yet, spokeswoman Kathy O’Neill said. In the coming weeks and months, they’ll ease their way into that phase, O’Neill said.

The lobby, where visitors can get more information about JUMP’s arts and crafts studios, as well as its variety of events and leisure space, will open Dec. 15.

“You really can’t explain JUMP,” said spokeswoman Kathy O’Neill. “You have to experience it for yourself.”

Here are some details to know if you’re interested in hosting an event at JUMP or just want a tour:

Is it open to the public? The lobby, accessible from the 9th Street entrance between Front and Myrtle streets, will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, starting Dec. 15. JUMP’s rooms aren’t available for booking yet, and the rest of the building is off-limits to the public as staff works through the kinks of the reservation process. For news on when you can register for events and schedule tours, visit jacksurbanmeetingplace.org.

How much will it cost? Fees for space will depend on a variety of factors, including length of time and equipment used. The fee schedule will be posted on the JUMP website.

When will the Simplot World Headquarters be finished? The buildings should be done by next fall, O’Neill said. The landscaping of the grounds between JUMP and the office buildings likely will be done the following spring.

What about parking? JUMP’s parking garages aren’t ready yet but are expected to be finished this winter, O’Neill said.

This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 11:11 PM with the headline "The era of JUMP begins."