Jackson Free Press

Mayor Frank Melton began the year 2006 with a resolution to remain a dogged pest to development he views as going too slow. On. Dec. 30, Melton announced that he intends to keep the heat on development of the King Edward Hotel and the Entertainment District on Farish Street for the first two months of 2006, going so far as to set a schedule for demolition of the King Edward.

"If major progress is not made on the King Edward Hotel, we plan to implode the facility in late February or early March," Melton said on Dec. 30.

WAPT reported that Melton said he can get around state and federal laws to destroy the King Edward by issuing an emergency order for demolition due to environmental risks.

Any expenditure of city funds to demolish the building would have to be approved by the City Council, however, which still does not approve the demolition.

Ward 1 Councilman Ben Allen, Ward 2 Councilman Leslie McLemore, Council President Marshand Crisler and Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett Simon oppose demolition of the building.

"The Federal Section 108 $4 M project viability loans have to be birthed and followed through by the office of the mayor and have not been aggressively pursued by that same office. The complaining of the 'slowness' of the project sits squarely with the complainer. We are witnessing a huge P.R. campaign bitching about the slowness of something that the developers have no control over. The mayor's office alone can effect expediency in this process," Allen said, adding that the mayor seemed to have a "closed mind" in regard to the King Edward project.

Attorney Sam Begley said the building enjoys further protection as a landmark, making the destruction of the hotel all the harder.

"The King Edward Hotel is a designated Mississippi landmark protected by the Mississippi antiquities law, thus no public work, including demolition, may lawfully occur without the city obtaining a permit from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History," Begley said. "Any violation is a misdemeanor. Fines are up to $5,000 dollars and include jail time."

Begley added that the Attorney General and any citizen are authorized under the antiquities law to bring an injunction action against an offender, including the mayor.

Investors like Jackson attorney David Watkins and Saints' running back Deuce McAllister, along with HRI Properties of New Orleans, plan to rehabilitate the dilapidated hotel and convert it into rental units, retail businesses and condominiums. All investors are waiting anxiously on federal funding for the project, which has been stalled twice by the city administration.

Melton had already issued a 30-day notice to developers in July to get the ball rolling on the King Edward or, he said, he would pull out his own wrecking ball and get rolling. That same day, Melton learned the HUD paperwork was sitting in the offices of city administration, and issued a second 30-day notice to his staff.

Chief Financial Officer Peyton Prospere supposedly sent off the paperwork soon after. Months later, HUD responded in an e-mail to the city that it favored the application, but added that a second, sister application - a Federal Section 108 loan application - had not been sent in September, as expected.

Developers and council members were momentarily panicked, saying the city had put the project at risk by lingering too long on the second application. The loan itself was saved only through the intervention of Hurricane Katrina, which forced HUD to extend the deadlines of all applications issued from storm-damaged zones.

"Otherwise we would have lost it," Watkins told the Jackson Free Press last month.

Jimmy Heidel, the contracted head of the city's Planning and Development Department - which has been summarily gutted by the mayor - assured Watkins and others that the 108 application has since been submitted, well within the application deadline. Nevertheless, Melton warns that he's looking to raze the building within three months.

Former Governor William Winter, a board member of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and is an outspoken opponent of demolishing the hotel.

"The King Edward is a very well-built structure which will not be demolished cheaply. Also, its close proximity to other buildings in the downtown area and the need to remove asbestos from the building prior to demolition will not make the cost of removal any lower. The way I see it, if you have the money to tear it down, you've got the money to renovate it," Winter told the Jackson Free Press in an earlier interview.

Previous Commentsshow

This is one strange administration. To my knowledge neither Melton nor anyone else from his camp has had the balls to publicly acknowledge that it is their own office that’s stalling the KE project! An occurrence at the recent city council meeting speaks to how Melton seemingly has an intimidation factor that precedes his sporadic presents at council meetings, where councilman Mclemore took chief administrative officer Robert Walker to task for going back on his word regarding funding for an African art exhibition. Walker simply took the lashing even when confronted by Mclemore with Melton’s decision to turn down the two-hundred grand from UMC, of which in-part could have been used to fund the art exhibition noted Mclemore. It calls to question how Walker as a former Mayor himself can seemingly sit idly by while Melton makes not only a mockery of himself but also those in his administration that know better. In my view to remain a part of this administration if you’re in opposition of what Melton is doing and you’ve voiced this to Melton and he doesn’t change course, to me it says you’re basically here for the money. Also during the council meeting, I can’t recall a whisper of criticism from Stokes regarding Melton’s handling of the Maple street tenants...strange indeed!

K RHODES

Jan 5 2006

''It calls to question how Walker as a former Mayor himself can seemingly sit idly by while Melton makes not only a mockery of himself but also those in his administration that know better. In my view to remain a part of this administration if you’re in opposition of what Melton is doing and you’ve voiced this to Melton and he doesn’t change course, to me it says you’re basically here for the money. Also during the council meeting, I can’t recall a whisper of criticism from Stokes regarding Melton’s handling of the Maple street tenants...strange indeed!'' Walker knows that his role as CAO is to work behind the scenes to get the Mayor's directives done in a procedurally sound manner, and I'm sure he is frustrated at the mixed signals being delivered by his boss, just as Prospere probably was annoyed at having his budget supported then dismissed the next day by the Mayor pulling a last minute about face/media stunt regarding raising taxes. Walker is probably trying to make it through this term with as much diplomacy and patience as he can muster. As a fellow former Vicksburger, he has my support and sympathy. As for Stokes, I know you (K Rhodes) keep looking for sparks to fly between Stokes and Melton, but I don't think you should get your hopes up. Stokes is not going to come out openly criticizing Melton because I believe he respect's Melton's vocal and visible commitment to address problems in West Jackson. And as I've said before, as long as Melton doesn't start playing favorites with the rich white folks in NE Jackson (I'm speaking in the broad brush way Stokes does) then he and Melton won't have a conflict, at least not in the open. For Stokes, race is all that matters. Personally I am irritated by the blatant hypocrisy in that, because if Dale Danks or Kane Ditto had behaved in the heavy-handed way that Melton has toward poor black citizens and City staff, Stokes would be ready to have a march on City Hall to have these racist KKK mayors (again speaking like Stokes) removed from office.

Jeff Lucas

Jan 6 2006

Ejeff1970, I realize that it’s still in the early goings of this administration, and perhaps Melton will experience an epiphany and become the Mayor this city so desperately needs. While most of Jackson awaits said epiphany by Melton, he must respect and utilize his administration. I believe Walker is an intelligent man as well as others in this administration. I only ask that loyalty to Melton does not supersede what is in the best interest of the citizens of Jackson. Only time will tell who in this administration has Jackson’s best interest at heart if Melton’s antics continue. Now as for Stokes, I’m not interest in seeing Stokes and Melton have at it. Given they have similar personalities, I expect they will clash. Simply put Stokes is a race baiter. As you pointed out if this had been anyone white that acted as Melton regarding Maple Street, Stokes would have needed sedation. All of Jackson would potentially benefit if Stokes’ constituents would question the nearly twenty years he has remained councilman of what has to be the worst ward in Jackson!

K RHODES

Jan 6 2006

As you pointed out if this had been anyone white that acted as Melton regarding Maple Street, Stokes would have needed sedation. K, you and I don't agree on everything, but I suspect you are really speaking the truth in that sentence. He. would. have. wigged. out. And rightfully.

DonnaLadd

Jan 6 2006

It calls to question how Walker as a former Mayor himself can seemingly sit idly by while Melton makes not only a mockery of himself but also those in his administration that know better. I've been asking myself the same question over and over and over again. I highly respect Walker. When he was an adjunct professor at Tougaloo, I thought he was pretty cool. I still think so, but something MUST be going on for him to just sit there and deal with all this "hot garbage". On the last council meeting I caught on public access, Walker was in Melton's stead. Do you think that's why Melton hired him - for Walker to handle all the boring administrative details while Melton focuses on, well, what he wants to focus on?

LatashaWillis

Jan 6 2006

Gosh, I hope that's true. If Melton doesn't shape up, the only real hope for his administration is that he leaves the actual governing to the professionals and focuses on photo-ops instead. Though preferably, in the future, ones that don't involve scaring the hell out of innocent people. Cheers, TH

Tom Head

Jan 6 2006

“On the last council meeting I caught on public access, Walker was in Melton's stead. Do you think that's why Melton hired him - for Walker to handle all the boring administrative details while Melton focuses on, well, what he wants to focus on?” I believe Melton’s sporadic Council meeting attendance is simply a ploy to avoid the members of the council that he knows will take him to task. I‘ve been told he prefers eavesdropping said meetings.

K RHODES

Jan 8 2006

I agree K Rhodes. The mayor walked into a council meeting just recently and turned around and left when he saw the press. He milked them (the press) for everything that he could when he was running for the office. Now that he is the mayor, he has discarded them just as he discards city employees when he has used them up also. Stokes acts as though Frank has him under his thumb. I have never seen him so quiet. He will not show up rather than oppose the mayor. He has turned out to be as weak as tea. I only hope that the voters of his ward can see this also. He now has displaced residents from the Maple Stree Apartments. Will he fight to make sure that the mayor keeps his promise? Or will he just go home every night and hope that the mayor does not declare his domicile a hazard as well.

lance

Jan 8 2006

Actually, lance, note the correction: The mayor walked into City Hall, saw the press, then walked over to the elevator and avoided the Council meeting. A small difference, but I want to be sure the facts are right. Adam corrected that under this story online. As far as contempt for the press, absolutely. If we are not willing to say exactly what he wants, he believes he can just ignore us, and even spread untruths about us. He's even made a point of walking up to my young interns and photographers at events and giving them a hard time for working for the JFP. Here, we are trying to help these young people build their resumes and portfolios, and get marketable skills, and he tries to intimidate them away from us. Of course, none has quit as a result. They think it's kinda funny, if sad. This administration doesn't even know enough about the First Amendment and sunshine laws to know what not to say to the press. They have openly told us that they do not want to invite us to press events, or give us information, because we do additional research and write things they wish we wouldn't. They just don't seem to understand that, as public servants, they do not have the right to pick and choose what the media say about them. Carolyn Redd came into her job seeming to think that the media would do exactly what she said, and not do what she said not to do. Of course, enough media went along with that that you could almost see why they'd think it. But we're signing cracks in that Code of Silence of late, fortunately. And the administration has learned that we report whether or not they talk to us. We are enterprising enough to find information, including what they say, in other ways. It is irresponsible for media not to report a story because someone refuses to comment. That means that the person refusing to comment is the one in control. And that makes about as much sense as taking a mink coat to hell with you.

DonnaLadd

Jan 8 2006

Just saw this... "They have openly told us that they do not want to invite us to press events, or give us information, because we do additional research and write things they wish we wouldn't." When an administration apparently has THIS much to try and hide, it scares me.

millhouse

Jan 9 2006

Millhouse, some of it, at least, is sheer hubris. They do not believe anyone should have the right to ask them something without them offering it first, and in a shaped way that they sign off on. It started with us because we were the ones asking substantive questions during the campaign, but all the media in town are encountering this now. I truly believe that Mr. Melton does not believe that any law applies to him ... because, in his mind, he is "doing the right thing." That is my "perception," but it is the one they have created since we started trying to cover them last January. And remember when he walked out of the Council meeting, accusing them of "personal attacks," because he presented a proposal for boot camps -- which they are legally responsible for funding -- without saying which part of the budget the camps would be paid out of. They asked a simple and legally required question, and he stomps out. As I understand it, he's barely attended a City Council meeting since. He is often in the building, but will not go into the Council meeting.

DonnaLadd

Jan 9 2006

See Stringfellow's column today? Heidel, based on his tone, wants the city to help a group of developers... Mayor Frank Melton, however, has run out of patience... ...he wants to implode the building, saying he's doubtful dreams for the project, which include 72 condominiums, will ever become a reality. ...{O}ne thing is clear: Based on two referendums, there is clearly a market for downtown housing in Jackson. And, thankfully, consumers are paying top dollar. ...The mayor wants the developers to use their funds to assess biohazards and develop possible abatements. This seems unreasonable, and it's unlikely the developers will accept this arrangement. It makes sense for the city to assume the risk in determining the project's feasibility. After all, when the music stops and the project goes forward, Melton and the city are poised to be big winners.

Rex

Jan 24 2006

Okay, Stringfellow said: It makes sense for the city to assume the risk in determining the project's feasibility. What does he mean? Didn't the developers and the city already assess the risk before Melton was in office? Why is it so hard for Melton to give up the $4 mil? It's the city's money.

LatashaWillis

Jan 24 2006

LW, I thought they'd done everything they needed to in order to get started. They did some kind of studies a couple of years ago. I can't believe that after all this time, they'd still wouldn't know if it's feasible or not. And, is it even the city's money?? It's federal money earmarked specifially for this project, is it not?

millhouse

Jan 24 2006

And, is it even the city's money?? It's federal money earmarked specifially for this project, is it not? Oops, my bad. Guess I got a little hot under the collar there. Either way it goes, it's not like Melton's paying out of his own pocket. He can't just sit on it like that.

LatashaWillis

Jan 24 2006

True. I believe it'd be like just saying "No, thanks" to $4 mill, because it won't be going to the city's coffers. But he keeps saying something about taxpayer's money.

millhouse

Jan 24 2006

And, is it even the city's money?? It's federal money earmarked specifially for this project, is it not? Actually, part of of the money is a Section 108 loan, I think. In my (limited) understanding, this is a loan against the city's community development block grant entitlement money. So, it is the city's money. Or at least, it's money thath the city will recieve in the future.

Justin

Jan 25 2006

That could be, Justin. I've just seen it referred to as a grant all over. "The latest snag centers on the $4 million grant." Of course, this comes from Stringfellow. ;-)

millhouse

Jan 25 2006

This notion of "imploding the building" is far fetched as well. It would cost a million or more to blow it up, clean it up, and repair the damage to the adjacent structures. Way too risky. The thing is concrete encased steel. It ain't going anywhere. Built at a time when labor ad materials were cheap and workman built for permanance. Jiminney....

ATLExile

Jan 25 2006