Jackson Free Press

Developer Mike Peters filed a breach of contract complaint in Hinds County Circuit Court last March, claiming the city stiffed him out of $500,000 in public grants for the $7 million renovation of the Plaza Building. According to the suit, which was reported by The Clarion-Ledger this week, Peters approached the city's director of planning and Development Corinne Fox in 2004, under then-Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. about contributing money to make the renovation affordable. Fox urged the city to approve the commitment and gave Peters the go-ahead to get started, explaining that the city had been planning to obtain a community development block grant to reimburse itself for the $500,000 pay-out.

A new administration rolled up in 2004, however. Mayor Frank Melton took office, followed by the departure of Fox and the similar departure of city grant-writers.

By the time the project was complete in 2006, Carl Allen, then-director of planning and development, explained in an August e-mail that the city had failed to secure the grant.

The suit claims that Peter's company had delayed filing the breach-of-contract suit after repeated promises that the city would stick to its commitment, but decided to file the complaint after the city council refused to address the issue during a Feb. 26, 2008, meeting.

Peters would not comment on the lawsuit, while the city said it would not comment on pending litigation.

Previous Commentsshow

I guest everyone should realize that again the certain members of the Jackson City Council has dropped the ball again who were the council members that were there during the whole period that this mess was going on? CRISLER AND MCLEMORE the same two that are now talking about running for Mayor. They not only allowed this to transpire but the City of Jackson lost several Federal Grants and had to repaid the Federal Government for mispending Federal Grant Funds. I remember that a fireman warned them of possible illegal actions dealing with Federal Grants and they all signed a letter to get rid of him for exposing the illegal activity. If they allowed this to happen to the City of Jackson then and now even when the citizens of Jackson had to deal with the stupidity of the current administration then why are they running for Mayor? Intead of these current City Council Member running for office my suggestion is that we run then with Fran Melton right to the nearest Federal Prison. They want to lead so bad then let them lead a mop bucket around a jail cell.

Hot Sauce

Dec 23 2008

I keep saying that it takes more than name recognition to run a city. Contrary to popular opinion, at the time, that it would only take one man and a secretary to run this city. I'm sick and tired of this City losing money secondary to ignorance.

justjess

Dec 23 2008