Jackson Jambalaya

You may remember the slight bout of unpleasantness that took place two weeks ago in the chambers of the Jackson City Council.  Some questions arose over the public-private cooperation on the District at Eastover project.  Developer Ted Duckworth said the city was "Mickey-Mousing around".* The Mayor met with Mr. Duckworth and co-developer Breck Hines two days later.  The Mayor then had a few things to say at the following city council meeting.  Earlier post.

Mayor Lumumba said he made every effort to have a transparent administration.  He said he was "unaware of any problems with Eastover" and investigated after the city council meeting.  He said the agreement (on environmental tax credits) was being reviewed by a secretary for the developers (Lacy Peterson) and it had not yet been presented to the council.  He said "it would be kind of hard to sign papers that have not even been typed."   The Mayor said "I took exception" to Mr. Duckworth's address to the council.

The Mayor also disputed Mr. Duckworth's statement that the deal was being held up over a $150,000 contribution from the city for the same agreement.  He said the actual amount was $245,000 and took issue with the way it was presented to the city council (4:50).  Mayor Lumumba also defended all hirings and firings made by Harold Lathon, Director of Economic Development.

JJ can also report the city located the water line on the site on February 14. 

This website reported two weeks ago:

Mr. Duckworth said The District project is stalled because Interim Economic Development Director Harold Lathon was "retrading the deal."  He said the city was "Mickey Mousing around" in signing an agreement over environmental cleanup tax credits.  Mr. Duckworth said he had been "working the deal since 2007" and it was very "frustrating", as they were told the agreement would be signed by the end of January.  He said there had been no problems with the Johnson administration, but things changed when Mr. Lathon released employees in the planning department and tried to impose new conditions on the agreement.  

Mr. Duckworth said the city is holding up the project over the matching funds for a "Brownfield rebate."  The rebate is a DEQ program that allows a developer to recover 25% tax credits for environmental cleanup costs on a designated site.   The state committed $1 million  to the project under the program, but apparently requires a $150,000 in matching funds from the city.  More information about DEQ Brownfield program. He said a $110 million project was being "held up" over $150,000 after the city had already committed a $7 million TIF (Tax Incremental Financing).


*Caps were used so Disney does not sue.