Yet another out of state landlord and its manager learned the hard way Jackson Environmental Court Judge Jeff Reynolds does not play when it comes to abandoned properties. Despite all the finger-pointing, Judge Reynolds sentenced Chapel Ridge Apartments Manager Larry Jackson to serve one year in jail if he does not demolish the property by December 9 after finding him guilty of four environmental code violations.
Jackson Code Enforcement issued four citations on March 9 to Larry Jackson, the manager of Chapel Ridge Apartments on Raymond Road for an unsafe/burned structure, sanitation issues, overgrown vegetation, and unsecured vacant structures.
Chapel Ridge Apts., LLC in New York owns the property. However, X-Caliber Funding foreclosed on the property in October 2025. The company kept Larry Jackson as "asset manager."
Jackson tried to avoid service of process at his New Orleans home but was served anyway. Judge Reynolds held Jackon's trial on September 10.
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Code Enforcement Officer Harvey Beasley testified the apartments had burn marks on exteriors and were surrounded by "trash, debris, and weeds." One building had a burned and collapsed roof with exposed rafters while tries and trash decorated the property.
Unfortunately for Jackson, the past was not dead that morning. Judge Kevin Bass declared the property a "menage" at a March 10 hearing. Jackson promised to "remediate" the code violations, stating "It's my responsibility." Judge Bass ordered him to take those measures but Jackson blew off the Court after promising to do so.
The defendant tried to weasel his way out of the charges by blaming Mississippi Home Corporation:
Defendant testified that, while they intended to renovate the Property, an issue arose with Mississippi Home Corporation (""MHC""), which Defendant alleged has an ownership interest in the Property. (The trial exhibits reflect that MHC is the beneficiary of a recorded Declaration of Land Use Restrictive Covenants for Housing Tax Credits, rather than a fee ownership interest, arising from low-income housing tax credits originally awarded in connection with the Property's development.) Defendant claimed, with no proof, that a ""Land Use Agreement""-apparently a reference to that Declaration of Land Use Restrictive Covenants, dated August 14, 2003, executed in connection with low-income housing tax credits originally awarded to the Property's developer, Jackson Housing Associates of Mississippi LP-prohibited any Property renovations and that, when he tried to renovate, he was met with ""roadblocks."
Despite it all, Judge Reynolds call Chapel Ridge Apartments a "danger" the the residents of Jackson, stating it in was "deplorable condition" due to major roof damage, trash, charring of buildins, and holes in walls. Jackson did not dispute the property needed major repairs. The property has been in such a condition for over 18 months. The defendant admitted it needed repair but continued to come up with excuses for doing nothing. (It is quite hard to see how MHC would have put up a "roadblock" to cutting the grass.).
Jackson argued he could not be found guilty because he was not the owner of the property. However, Mississippi law states the owner's "authorized agent" can be held criminally responsible.
After finding Jackson guilty of all charges, Judge Reynolds sentenced him to pay a $250 fine for each violation and serve 90 days in jail for each violation. The jail sentences are to be served consecutively. Judge Reynolds suspended the sentences if Jackson cleaned up the property in 30 days and applied for a demolition permit within 14 days. The property should be demolished by December 9.
If Larry Jackson thinks of appealing the sentence, he better whip out the checkbook. Judge Reynolds set his cost bond at $2,500 and his appearance bond at $2 million.
8 comments:
Has he cleaned up the property yet?
How can he? If he kicks out everyone they come right back. The city needs to help keep them out.
Can the Judge order the Zoo to close. It is an environmental disaster.
Good question
Fixer-upper.
Judge Jeff Reynolds, if you can hear me, please allow me to drive you around and let’s make a list of the abandoned buildings that will never be filled again that we should demolish. Let’s start with the Arby’s on High Street! Thank you sir.
That's a nearly-new and well-designed complex. The hapless Landlord may be a baddie: I don't know. But it's "The People of Jackson", who probably made the situation hopeless. It takes extraordinary (and, often extralegal) measures, and tenant-editing skills and efforts, to successfully run an apartment complex, in Jackson. It's a constant battle. Such battles cannot be fought from afar.
It's certainly "The People of Jackson", who wrecked the place. As a former landlord, I speak from experience. (as government interference increased, we - just in the nick of time - concluded that the old models no longer applied)
Apologies if the answer is staring me in the face, but where is the money for this supposed to come from? Is that on the property manager to figure out? It's not like he just let the grass get overgrown. There will have to be real money spent to get that place cleaned up and secured.
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