Monday, February 10, 2025

Hotel 0 Demolition Delayed

The Hotel O stands strong on I-55 North as a middle finger to Jackson.  Although the City Council approved funding the demolition of the building, nary a wrecking ball has appeared on the premises as the city lags behind on getting MDEQ approval for the teardown.  MDEQ issued the following statement last week: 

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is providing clarification regarding the status of the City of Jackson’s Hotel O demolition project in response to recent/ongoing claims that the project is awaiting “MDEQ approval”. These claims are inaccurate.

MDEQ has received no response to its notice of deficiencies (via letter dated December 18, 2024) regarding the City of Jackson’s Hotel O demolition. Regulations require that prior to demolition, the building(s) be properly inspected for the presence of asbestos and that any known asbestos hazards be mitigated. MDEQ is still awaiting certification from the city that these regulatory requirements have been satisfied. Asbestos regulations are in place to ensure the safety of the workers and the surrounding community.

MDEQ will review and respond to this information as soon as it is submitted.

The city inspected Hotel O for asbestos in October but the inspection was incomplete. The December 18 letter to the city of Jackson states: 


 

Kingfish note: Somehow, someway, this sounds familiar.  Can't imagine why.  

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

How can one city and state be this backwards and f’ed up

Anonymous said...

When it comes to incompetence, Mayor Chumpalot leads the pack by a wide margin.

Anonymous said...

D.O.G.E needs to come in and shutdown MDEQ.

Anonymous said...

Past time to hire Socrate's Asbestus Antar Wecantell PLLC to get on with the inspection and certification.

Anonymous said...

MDEQ’s Sontyna Dixon has introduced the Oakland form of spelling into her letter. What a shame. People with authority are becoming increasingly less educated. The city can’t follow simple instructions and the inspector isn’t qualified or simply not thorough. People, if there is a mistake, fix it and learn how to do it correctly for the next go round.

Anonymous said...

If they light it on fire first then can they tear it down? I’ve seen many of abandoned Jackson crack houses gone that were demolished after a little fire. Does the asbestos rule not apply to residential structures? Those houses are usually full of asbestos siding and stuff.

Anonymous said...

That MDEQ letter probably got placed in the same drawer the EPA letter regarding the water system was hidden for 2 years. Standard operating procedure for the city of Jackson.

Anonymous said...

If anyone has any experience - MDEQ gone MDEQ regardless of who any given mair is.

Anonymous said...

It was boarded up, but where there is a will there is a way. It has already been broken into.

Anonymous said...

Dude. 'Shutdown' is the NOUN form. What you want, is the VERB: "shut down".

Anonymous said...

MDEQ get out of the way and let Jackson tear down this eye soar!

Anonymous said...

@ 12:54, I think I see what you did there. I hope I do.

Anonymous said...

I, for one, will miss this historic Jackson landmark--

Anonymous said...

11:14 - and others ---- MDEQ isn't the problem here, just as it wasn't the problem with Jackson's failure to manage its sewer system and keep raw booboo from floating down the streets. Nor was MDEQ, along with EPA, the problem when Jackson's water treatment plant failed due to improper maintenance of the equipment, failure to pay vendors, and hire adequate staff.

MDEQ is doing its job to protect us - citizens of Jackson - from continued mismanagement by the Mayor and his departments in the CIty of Jackson. No different than when the Mayor tried to tell the State Fire Marshall he was not allowed to enter Thalia Mara Hall last week, or publilcally said that the FIre Marshall's report was the same as the one issued months earlier.

The Mayor proclaims all the time that "ITS THEIR FAULT", just as they did here saying that MDEQ was holding it up when in fact, it was the failure of the CIty and its cadre of lawyers to respond to the statutory requirements as spelled out to them by MDEQ.

If your hoping DOGE would come in and take down MDEQ, let me suggest you turn your MAGA hat around and focus it on the problem here -- Lumumba and his cronies who do nothing but pontificate and bitch.

If/when Jackson compllies with the law and reports such to MDEQ, they would gladly allow this eyesore to be torn down. But in the meantime, STFU if you can't understand that there are some good laws and regulations existing in this world and there are some good bureaucrats working hard to see that they are properly followed. If you don't like that, move your ass to Ruby Ridge and fight it out.

Anonymous said...

Hotel O is just one of many old hotels in the city that need to be torn down. They are ultimately pubic health and safety hazards.

Anonymous said...

Can Chalkline do ANYTHING right?

Anonymous said...

What's a little asbestos among friends?

Anonymous said...

Is no one going to even call out the pipskweak liar WE HAVE as a "Mayor"? Lied about Thalia Mara (and STILL IS) and lying about Hotel O. Lies about sewerage issues and water plant issues. Just a low class, common liar. Bald face lies. Were he white he would be in jail.

Anonymous said...

I have a feeling it want be torn down anytime soon

Anonymous said...

This isn't the MDEQ's delay any more than the recent failed fire inspection at Thalia Mara Hall was the State Fire Marshall's fault.

This is the kind of stupid lack of paying attention to the details that injures and kills people.

Those dead bodies from past stupidity are why we have fire curtain and fire extinguisher regulations for theaters; as well as pre-demolition asbestos inspections.

Kingfish said...

Keep in mind Jackson doesn't have a true public works director. The current one is actually the Chief Administrative Officer for the city. He is doubling up.

Anonymous said...

Now this doesn't count as a continuation as in the Warnock vein.

Steve said...

Jackson needs to hire the guy who knocked down the old Ridgeland City Hall.

Anonymous said...

This is Chokwe's fault as well.

Anonymous said...

It’s Mississippi, what else do you expect?
Ya’ll whine incessantly, but nary is a solution is offered. Ya’ll just blame. Ya’ll are last for a reason, look inside yourselves (on this page bitches), it’s you holding us back.

Anonymous said...

The solution is to educate the voters on who to vote for. There’s your offer. Instead, they vote for the same old lying kind of folks.

Anonymous said...

11:14: You really want DOGE to cancel a state agency? I bet you were all about state's rights when it came to outlawing abortion.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like MDEQ is following regulations, as it is supposed to do. Asbestos regs are there for good reasons. Unfortunately, the city cannot get its act together and do what the regs require. Don’t blame the MDEQ for irresponsible failures of the city.

Anonymous said...

One needs a knowledge of bureaucratic speak. All this really says is that not all the paperwork was filled out in the way she wanted it to be suited her. It may just mean that the person in charge of removing asbestos didn't note the pipe inspection or include his resume.
EPA only requires visual examination of asbestos if it was used for pipe insulation and even then, removal only if it looks damaged. It may just be the inspector didn't see any damage and fail to note he looked.

Anonymous said...

We don’t need no water let the :$-&:&3!::er burn

Anonymous said...

Nice try but incorrect. Suspect material must be identified and removed prior to a total demolition. You can’t leave it in place even if it is undamaged. Pipe insulation is easily friable and would be completely disturbed during the demolition process.

Anonymous said...

I would imagine it would be really easy and quick to look through google earth imagery going back in their historical imagery data to find the Hotel O didn't exist until far after asbestos was banned in building construction. Back it up with a title search of the property. This isn't rocket science (with props to Mairoral candidate Kim Wade).

Anonymous said...

It's not rocket science. They already hired and paid for CTEH tp perfoom an asbestos inspection at Thalia Mara.

Also could google and/or an rfp, if they are able to.

Anonymous said...

Asbestos testing and remediation of a building that used the material when it was still code. What a fucking racket. Great case for arson now. Tires literally burned for days in Jackson and the dorks at MDEQ are all in a knot over this.

Anonymous said...

9:16 That's some really good detective work on your part. If I understand what you're suggesting, you're saying the Hotel O was constructed AFTER 1989? I'm no detective, but I know I was born in 1960, and that hotel was there then. I have no idea when it was actually constructed, but suffice it to say that it CERTAINLY has asbestos in it.

Anonymous said...

MDEQ is doesn't do anything. Where were they when Jackson was pumping that sewage into Town Creek. The legislature needs to shut down this agency and focus those tax dollars somewhere else.

9:16 in reply to 3:34 said...

You might "Google" a little deeper and I'm more than certain that hotel isn't pre-1960.

History of Asbestos Regulation
While asbestos isn’t banned in the U.S., it is strictly regulated. The U.S. has stopped using asbestos in several products and industries due to decades of legislation:

1970: Congress passes the Clean Air Act, which classifies asbestos as hazardous and gives the EPA the power to regulate it.
1972: The Consumer Product Safety Act bans asbestos in wall patching compounds and artificial fireplace embers.
1973: Clarence Borel wins one of the first successful mesothelioma lawsuits. The EPA also bans spray-on asbestos products, which were used for fireproofing and insulation.
1975: The EPA bans other specific types of asbestos pipe insulation and block insulation.
1976: The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) gives the EPA more authority to regulate the packaging, handling, storing and disposing of asbestos. An amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act allows a ban on asbestos-containing filters in pharmaceuticals.
1986: The Asbestos Information Act requires asbestos companies to report information to the EPA to be made public. The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires the EPA to create standards for asbestos in schools.
1989: The EPA attempts to ban all uses of asbestos in the U.S., but the complete ban is overturned in 1991. A ban on five products (flooring felt, rollboard, commercial paper, corrugated paper and specialty paper) and new uses of asbestos is allowed to remain in place.
2016: The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act expands the EPA’s powers regarding asbestos to help prevent challenges to a complete asbestos ban.
2019: The EPA’s Restrictions on Discontinued Uses of Asbestos Rule requires that certain uses of asbestos not already covered under the TSCA be subject to review.
2022: The EPA proposes a federal ban on chrysotile asbestos.
2023: The EPA releases data on asbestos use in the chloralkali industry for public comment.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.