Rankin County suspends condemnation of 123 Lakeside Street to allow buyer time to repair

The Rankin County Board of Supervisors on June 2 voted to suspend a prior condemnation finding for 123 Lakeside Street for six months and authorized the Community Development Office to issue permits to allow repairs, after a prospective buyer said he planned to rehabilitate the property.

The board’s action followed a public comment from Robert Owens, who identified himself as a prospective purchaser and said he is “trying to get it uncondemned so I can actually get out there and renovate it, you know, remodel it, fix it back up.” County legal counsel and staff told the board the property had been condemned in April and that community development and the fire coordinator had found it “not safe for human habitation.”

Board attorney (identified in the meeting as the county’s counsel) told the board an engineer report provided by Owens affirmed community development’s finding that the structure was unsafe and confirmed the condition documented at the April condemnation hearing. The attorney said the county could suspend the condemnation while work proceeds but warned the board and Owens that returning the building to habitability will likely require substantial foundation repair and “a lot of sweat equity and a lot of money.”

Supervisor Brad moved to add the item to the agenda; Supervisor Steve seconded. Later, a motion to suspend the condemnation for six months and authorize the Community Development Office to issue permits was made and carried. The board directed Owens to work with his structural engineer and Community Development and instructed staff to monitor progress.

County counsel advised Owens to secure independent legal advice about his ownership claim before spending significant funds, noting that the parcel is currently owned by a tax-sale entity and that title and possession were not yet in Owens’s name. The board reiterated that, if the property is still unsafe after the suspension period, it may have to revisit the condemnation.

The board and staff emphasized that no one may occupy the structure until it is brought up to code, and that any permit approvals would be subject to community development inspections and code compliance.

Supervisor Greg asked the county’s building official and Community Development to stay in close contact with Owens and his engineer. Owens told the board he expected the work could be completed within six months; county staff noted building permits are typically valid for six months.

The suspension gives Owens a six-month window to pursue repairs under county oversight; if repairs are not completed or are insufficient, the board retained the option to re-impose condemnation and pursue remediation with county resources and lien authority.

The board recorded the motion as carried; no individual roll-call tallies were read into the record.