[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6148336,"mediaKeyId","5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0","parentId",5516664,"title","Habitat for Humanity outlines neighborhood building and blight‑removal work; council accepts challenge to build a house with volunteers","audioSeconds",254,"startMs",4131000,"endMs",4385000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0&start=4131&end=4385","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0/thumbnail_4131000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6148336/Jackson-City/Hinds-County/Mississippi/Habitat-for-Humanity-outlines-neighborhood-building-and-blightremoval-work-council-accepts-challenge-to-build-a-house-with-volunteers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148336-747a4b634ceb41244d66c1cc65975473/orig.mp4?Expires=1773417193&Signature=bqTZi75S3v~7pj6OY0yYPL~G2S9yaLunQAdV4yP7xe5I5IWkj9gMZAlClBOkbvpcJNY1oSzf9JMqcZ96TbP2hv7nqsPiTyDI61So4qkEAP0xmFB15-aqm5mH0gGBkqFYKFRXwkIkae9z7kRxgLtuBy8MFpahBrpyNGDkCeOZalpNOADXIlQgS55mf2d7~3OYPUnDIMCb5cEg0xYZdcYXV-xsHZ6XIufxcd4eNvWDeNAy~9zIreB3ejxK9Jfvz4QYOpMwj~5d1J~FZAnl15PWzC15dVdKtnG1Gj4oDG3NtjEzswpQjz7RwIG-sqCuGpblIEM~cEZO2W5p9IXt~8isiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Jackson, MI","date","2025-07-29T00:00:00Z","article","Merrill McEwen, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area, told the council the nonprofit has built and rehabbed houses in Broadmoor and many other Jackson neighborhoods and emphasized that Habitat operates as an \"economic engine,\" not a charity. \"We do not give houses away. We were not started by Jimmy Carter, and we are not a charity. We are an economic engine,\" McEwen said.

McEwen described 28 completed houses in Broadmoor with three under construction and said Habitat has impacted roughly 50 lots and plans a second set of 50. She described the organization's home‑buyer model: homes are sold with zero‑interest mortgages and include education, sweat‑equity requirements and budget counseling, and she noted the organization also opened a ReStore retail outlet at 615 Stonewall to raise revenue and lower construction costs.

Council members praised the work and asked staff to expedite reimbursements on completed contracts. Councilwoman Clay proposed a visible show of council support by committing members and staff to volunteer labor on a Habitat house; McEwen and the mayor accepted the challenge and asked staff to coordinate a build date.

Why it matters: Habitat's work supports homeownership and blight removal in neighborhoods city officials have prioritized. The group's model combines construction, resale with owner occupancy, and homeowner education. Reimbursement for city contracts was raised as a near‑term administrative issue.

Next steps: Administration said it will follow up on pending reimbursements and coordinate with Habitat and council volunteers to schedule a future build day.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting July 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The CEO of Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area described 40 years of activity in Jackson, current work in Broadmoor and plans for additional rehab and new‑build projects; she asked for continued city support and reimbursements for completed contracts, and council members pledged volunteer help and partnership.","taxTitle","Jackson City, Hinds County, Mississippi","taxId",3823,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148341,"Council sets public hearing to consider amendment adding multifamily units to TIF district for Fund Run project",121,1839000,1960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0&start=1839&end=1960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0/thumbnail_1839000.jpg","/articles/6148341/Jackson-City/Hinds-County/Mississippi/Council-sets-public-hearing-to-consider-amendment-adding-multifamily-units-to-TIF-district-for-Fund-Run-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148341-797f2ef4bb13b266c3164ea12b31dc18/orig.mp4?Expires=1773417193&Signature=lXIushEn14VgKmcBTXOtoLIWZiIUdocwu~5M2vxHVHB5txzqjjPMFxeln5LP9EDS6w9MvR8Ivqoh3TYg3lz-XXpnIlpjMtLpIvp2eQU3TNwHNCzabK1n8CQtt~zNC~7etLSdJndpHToM5RF23Kr6Y3Z4cjBaRAfchyzRUcc9iRldwLqPKLUMCXaKn1-Ptt-SmXkQWTG-EM5XUfxGfHp0rsLH1RgYCuNrfL9EA2wMMC2-HFyfY3YHL~SC~NyWTIkzzs2ddofukRcBa0X2Wxz7nORMQaIBc-vMWBoid1dkRc2aLqgxZp~fdSNtME9oT0WWLDUIpNLbLyolbgGOkk0lmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a resolution to conduct a public hearing on Aug. 12 to consider amending the 2015 tax increment financing (TIF) plan for the Fund Run development. The vote to set the hearing was unanimous.

Trey Harrison of Butler Snow said the resolution is procedural: it sets public notice and a hearing required by state law for the developer's proposed change. \"This is simply a resolution setting a public hearing, which would take place on August 12,\" Harrison told the council.

Christiana Sugg, representing project consultants, told the council the TIF amendment would allow the developer to add lots to the back of the TIF district and replace a previously proposed mixed‑use infill with 230 upscale multifamily units. \"This amendment pertains to the Picks And Pins strip ... the change ... is instead of doing mixed use behind that strip there, we would like to build 230 upscale multifamily housing units,\" Sugg said. She said the amendment would enable a sale to Arlington and allow a transfer to a developer with a record of other Meridian and hospital‑area projects.

Why it matters: Amendments to a TIF plan can change which parcels are included in a TIF district and shift the tax increment stream that funds project infrastructure or incentives. Council members asked for clarity about financing, project timelines and whether the development was the same project discussed previously; representatives said this is a different portion of a longer project and that financing details will be discussed at the hearing.

Next steps: The council adopted the resolution setting public notice and the Aug. 12 public hearing; the developer must publish notice and attend the hearing to answer questions from the public and council. Council members asked staff to provide financing details and a status update at the hearing.","The council approved a resolution to set a public hearing Aug. 12 to consider amendments to the 2015 tax increment financing (TIF) plan for the Fund Run development, including adding lots to the TIF district to allow construction of 230 multifamily units behind a commercial strip.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148344,"Council approves $50,000 city commitment for National Folk Festival after amendment clarifies city purchases and ownership of equipment",549,3511000,4060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0&start=3511&end=4060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0/thumbnail_3511000.jpg","/articles/6148344/Jackson-City/Hinds-County/Mississippi/Council-approves-50000-city-commitment-for-National-Folk-Festival-after-amendment-clarifies-city-purchases-and-ownership-of-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148344-806254aff32300b1f51ef65663785893/orig.mp4?Expires=1773417193&Signature=R-nFsFfyMdYgaX8FFfVtvk7QWF7XaDAojuQkpHfWIGig3yJbZ6u0bnruUOvaK4ahL5O2-MS~lGryrNsueJEMbckHxR7delV0YubY9nhaJ6skGtnZ0ZQUg9R0nkHi2bg0uIwr2QnUj6AMYiIWRCX~53k4m~QzMq3V651LYBp2vHy1ZIYFGPZpU-GQDQEQsUsC1sXZMnF8pU3TT1yoHEYGessLQhwKnJt02BTFifNgO4zQOuyeWIDDwYceb4Jb1yqXr-c3UTQS0EPawcP95pVWJXrM~dl5MqNyNMiD8zMmIbNonPETm1z6cKiOGY5p9kRDPqRKkv0vm1I9im0k61n5fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a $50,000 appropriation to support capital needs for the National Folk Festival, after the administration and legal counsel moved an amendment clarifying how the funds will be used.

Peter Tawelson, the interim chief administrative officer, told the council festival organizers would visit the administration next week to brief staff and council members. \"They will spend the week with the administration and we'll be able to better brief you at the next meeting,\" Tawelson said. He said the organizers and the city previously agreed to a multi‑year commitment and that the city had pledged to help underwrite the event.

During debate, several council members questioned language in the original order that appeared to give funds directly to the National Council for the Traditional Arts. Legal staff explained the amended language will keep purchases as city procurements and specified that the city would keep ownership of capital items purchased with the funds. State Attorney Martin told the council the amendment reflected conversations with the festival's executive director and that \"the city will actually be purchasing these items ... and the equipment the city will maintain ownership of.\"

Why it matters: The festival is a multi‑day cultural event planned for downtown Jackson in November; city officials said the event could draw tens of thousands of visitors and serve as an economic and tourism development tool. The council noted that the city previously committed funding in 2024 and that additional fundraising had been expected.

Vote and next steps: Councilman Foote moved to amend the order's title to align it with the substance of the amended order; the amendment passed on a 5‑2 vote. The amended order then passed 7‑0. Administration said it would circulate a fuller briefing after organizers meet with city staff next week and would provide an expected performer list and a timeline for expenditures before the next council meeting.","The City Council approved a $50,000 allocation to support the National Folk Festival in November and adopted an amendment clarifying that the city will purchase and own capital equipment to be used for the three‑year festival agreement, rather than transferring funds for the national organization to spend directly.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148349,"Council approves HVAC and invoice payments for police while chief urges investment in forensic capacity",538,2178000,2716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0&start=2178&end=2716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0/thumbnail_2178000.jpg","/articles/6148349/Jackson-City/Hinds-County/Mississippi/Council-approves-HVAC-and-invoice-payments-for-police-while-chief-urges-investment-in-forensic-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148349-70418d97af60f8243468230c2b1c17d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773417193&Signature=mhpFK-NTX8ihwDgmGGpSE93gN4iolVBwe-31T5DZ-0ZKUPiTTXBP06LOC68kU9f05~f-UvBFsrmC~xWo9qaHy7JxUKkQoLq0-njruzzmvhh04xohEQrO1FphC9ZOPIZY5To9a~Qlk57rnfPlFPha6vynjpndz6YiPzQKhiLbimkvTKWLI2sVgRcrqFCLsbGqfpgcdgcLPjMv-qjzKVPh-F3AWX86ACOCNtxXtV9dVPngOQePf20FiCOnltntMN8khDIuTj3bN4B9VNWes4XiUW9nJ4AmbJ1fr2ob5JvTiSZoJzjSoYPrXL~3GdsdxXMP9083Tj0BimRCLK5CeyDgcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted unanimously to approve repairs and payments related to police operations, including air‑conditioning and facility work at Jackson Police Department precincts and to clear long‑standing invoices for forensic testing.

Chief Joseph Wade briefed the council on Precinct 1, describing it as \"the last precinct that we were having air conditioning issues with\" and said the building will receive a new roof, condensers and HVAC units under the authorized work. The chief said the work will restore the precinct for officers and for community use and that other precincts have been renovated or have no outstanding HVAC issues.

On forensic services, Chief Wade said the police department conducted an internal audit that revealed invoices to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety crime lab dating back to 2014. The council authorized payment of those invoices and a continuing arrangement for analytical fees within the department's budget. \"We had invoices that dated way back to 2014 coming forward ... we need to pay these invoices,\" the chief said, adding that the state lab performs high‑volume testing the department cannot complete in house, such as DNA and shell‑case analysis.

Why it matters: The HVAC work affects officer safety and precinct usability; funding and clearing forensic lab arrears affect case processing and prosecutors' ability to present evidence. Chief Wade said the city could ultimately restore a fuller local forensic lab but would need funding, facilities and qualified staff; until then the state crime lab remains essential for prosecutions.

Council action: Item 20 (HVAC/precinct work) passed 7‑0. Item 21 (payments to the Mississippi Forensic Laboratory) also passed 7‑0 after the chief and administration presented a memo explaining invoices that extended back multiple years. The council asked for timelines and confirmed that much of the cost will come from repair funds and departmental budgets.

Immediate follow up: The chief committed to provide a contractor timeline after the vote. Council members asked administration to track ongoing facility maintenance and to explore options to rebuild in‑house forensic capacity over time.","Council authorized air‑conditioning repairs for Precinct 1 and ratified payments to the state crime lab for backlog invoices dating to 2014; Police Chief Joseph Wade said repairs will restore precinct functionality and said the city still outsources critical forensic testing to the state lab.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148353,"Residents, owner and city officials press for repairs after water outage and safety complaints at several Jackson apartment complexes",7935,392000,8327000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0&start=392&end=8327","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516664-b8a6c81dcbccdb30078fdf81a1e9e6f0/thumbnail_392000.jpg","/articles/6148353/Jackson-City/Hinds-County/Mississippi/Residents-owner-and-city-officials-press-for-repairs-after-water-outage-and-safety-complaints-at-several-Jackson-apartment-complexes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148353-ac628369f5521715faab1c850362247d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773417193&Signature=ENdjXOlmy5rx5ZNxuQZLoa9-zqMwPSEGvRTeBuyiRlhJC2lu6Qxm3oZ974mnCSNQm41PTaJTvrKgn61XrTQpcWeq4vKMYYE7OP1b4q0iH2wg5DZpdtTCgKtT1S5IPSGdNgm9rXs5lSFkeD~lHh7yNvlfgDaDmNSSygJnd3J4UCr334BLmU1PQS9BpPUdsVqWeDv9o3nUcRMnnsCcLBWR-sRxTPAwJMCVk9MwpwT0lPUclFPozA0T43puuAAuC4QcSdghLcRBn3p8mZ3oKrDHc1YXwJhX-dtKCrHBPCbXtOyofpVACOiq7KOnTYUwgDXOxlWkYx7dldRSlhAJLCnHzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GLORIA BAILEY, a resident, told the City Council she lives at 809 North State Street and urged officials to inspect an 11-story, 157-unit building she described as hazardous and inaccessible for people with mobility challenges. \"I live at 809 North State Street,\" Bailey said during the council's public-comment period, and listed peeling paint that may be lead-based, long elevator outages and recurring smoke‑alarm problems.

The council also heard from Tony Little, who identified himself as owner of Blossom Apartments, which experienced a water outage this month. Little said the property has faced ongoing infrastructure problems since a high‑pressure water line burst about 15 months ago and pointed to billing anomalies for a Flow IQ 20 meter: \"At the center of every single controversy with the water system is this Flow IQ 20 water meter,\" he told the council, adding that one bill showed an \"egregious\" reading he said was far beyond the meter's capacity.

Mayor Joseph Horn and other city officials described immediate and planned actions. The city said Blossom residents without vouchers were being relocated, that Jackson Water restored service for some buildings, and that the fire department and Council members had assisted with bottled water and outreach. Horn told the council the administration will create a task force of city staff, housing advocates and outside specialists to identify the city's most delinquent property owners and consider enforcement options. \"We are going to publish the list of the top 15 bad actors who are in arrears of at least $100,000 in their water bills,\" the mayor said, and the city will explore civil and criminal penalties and legislative remedies.

Why it matters: Council members and speakers framed the problems as immediate public‑health and access issues for elderly and mobility‑impaired residents, and as part of a wider pattern involving out‑of‑state owners, shell companies and properties falling into disrepair. Council members pressed administration to share a list of affected properties and to coordinate relocation and code enforcement so tenants are not left without water or safe access.

What the council did and directed: The council discussed but did not adopt new legislation during the meeting. The administration said it will assemble the task force, publish the list of property owners and convene follow‑up meetings with council members and neighborhood representatives. Staff identified next steps: expand inspections, coordinate with housing authorities for placements, and explore legal remedies to enforce repairs and recover water and code enforcement costs.

Context and background: Speakers and the mayor referenced multiple apartment properties, including Blossom Apartments and 809 North State Street. Council members said similar problems have arisen at other complexes and asked administration to create a proactive plan so the city does not learn about widespread housing failures only through media reports or court hearings.

What to watch next: The administration said it will release the task force membership and the list of priority properties; council members asked that the list and any recommended ordinances or penalties be circulated well in advance of the next council meeting so members can review and question the approach.","Residents described mold, elevator failures and chronic water outages at several large apartment complexes; the city reported water arrears at some properties and said it will form a task force to identify worst offenders and help relocate residents when needed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Habitat for Humanity outlines neighborhood building and blight‑removal work; council accepts challenge to build a house with volunteers

Council sets public hearing to consider amendment adding multifamily units to TIF district for Fund Run project

Council approves $50,000 city commitment for National Folk Festival after amendment clarifies city purchases and ownership of equipment

Council approves HVAC and invoice payments for police while chief urges investment in forensic capacity

Residents, owner and city officials press for repairs after water outage and safety complaints at several Jackson apartment complexes