School board approves demolition of 3 closed JPS schools
Updated: 3:51 PM CDT Apr 29, 2024
School board approves demolition of 3 closed JPS schools
Updated: 3:51 PM CDT Apr 29, 2024
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HEADQUARTERS IN DOWNTOWN JACKSON, WITH MORE ABOUT THE DEMOLITION AND REACTION FROM RESIDENTS... MADELINE... WELL AFTER LACK OF INTEREST FROM POTENTIAL BUYERS...ESSENTIALY DUE TO THEIR CONDITIONS AND LOCATIONS...JPS DECIDED THEY NEED TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDINGS TO ONE SAVE MONEY AND TWO PREVENT ADDING 1:04:30- 1:04:37 "ALL IN FAVOR, I, ALL OPPOSED, NAY...THE MOTION CARRIES 5-1." THE JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED A MOTION TO DEMOLISH THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN JACKSON AFTER AN REQUEST FOR INTEREST SHOWED...NO INTEREST. 34:41-34:45 DR. GREENE "THERE WASNT ANY REAL INTEREST IN REPURPOSING, UTILIZING OR OTHERWISE REPURPOSING OF THOSE PROPERTIES." THE THREE PROPERTIES INCLUDE WOODVILLE HEIGHTS, BAKER, AND FRENCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. DURING A BOARD MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH, DR. ERIC GREENE TOLD BOARD MEMBERS THAT AFTER RESEARCH, THE CONDITION OF THE BUILDINGS PLUS WHERE THEY SIT IN COMMUNITIES, PROVED THAT REDEVELOPMENT WOULD BE UNLIKELY. 38:20-38:29 DR. JEANNE HAIRSTON - BOARD MEMBER "I THINK IN THE LONG RUN IN TERMS OF DECAYING PROPERTY AND ABANDONED BUILDINGS, IT IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST." AND ACCORDING TO DR. GREENE IT CURRENTLY COST AROUND HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO JUST MAINTAIN THE THREE BUILDINGS...TWO OF WHICH HAVE BEEN CLOSED...AND BOARDED UP. :56- 1:10 MICHAEL TAYLOR - RESIDENT "IT WAS A TRAGEDY TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SCHOOL, AND HEAR ABOUT THEM CLOSING IT DOWN, I MEAN BUT IT REALLY MESSED UP ALOT OF THE KIDS LIFE AROUND HERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO MOVE FARTHER, THE PARENTS AND EVERYTHING HAVE TO TAKE THEM FARTHER JUST TO GET THEM BACK AND FORTH FROM SCHOOL." MICHAEL TAYLOR IS A RESIDENT WHO LIVES DOWN THE STREET FROM BAKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL...DISSAPOINTED TO HEAR ITS BEING DEMOLISHED. AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IS CONSIDERING AFTER DEMOLITION, TO PUT IN A GREEN SPACE...OR PARK. 1:24- 1:30 "A PARK WOULD NOT STAND, I MEAN BENEFIT MORE THAN A SCHOOL WOULD." WHILE THEY DIDNT WANT TO BE ON CAMERA... SOME PEOPLE IN THE AREA NEAR FRENCH ELEMENTARY SAID IT IS ABOUT TIME...AND THAT SCHOOL IS STILL OPEN. BUT, ONE WOMAN TOLD US THAT THE SCHOOL IS JUST TOO OLD, AND WITH MOSTLY RENTERS IN THE AREA THERE'S NOT MUCH THAT CAN BE PUT FORWARD TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, A MAN TOLD US THAT THE ONLY REASON HE BOUGHT THE HOUSE WAS BECAUSE OF IT'S LOCATION ACROSS FROM THE SCHOOL. ONCE AGAIN THOUGH NEITHER THINK PUTTING IN A GREEN SPACE WOULD HELP OUT THE COMMUNITY. DR. GREENE EVEN POINTING THAT OUT IN THE BOARD MEETING. 47:17- 47:19 "THE FEED BACK WE GOT WASN'T COMPLETELY IN FAVOR OF CREATING THAT GREEN SPACE." BUT ONCE DEMOLITION IS COMPLETE...JPS SAYS WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY ON WHAT TO DO WE THESE THREE EMPTY SPACES. AS OF NOW, A DEMOLITION DATE HAS NOT BEEN SCHEDULED. WHEN WE LEARN MORE WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED. LIVE..
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School board approves demolition of 3 closed JPS schools
Updated: 3:51 PM CDT Apr 29, 2024
Three closed Jackson schools have been approved for demolition.The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees approved a recommendation April 18 from Superintendent Errick Greene and the administration to demolish Baker Elementary on E. Santa Clair Street, French Elementary on Joel Avenue and Woodville Heights Elementary on McDowell Road Extension. According to JPS officials, the decision was made after several weeks of deliberation by the Facilities Repurposing Advisory Committee. The three schools were chosen because there was "a lack of interest" from potential buyers for redevelopment."We determined that the economic value and condition of those properties were not strong after a Request for Interest was issued," Greene said in a statement. "We can no longer afford the carrying costs for maintaining the upkeep of the buildings, which have become victims of vandalism."Demolition dates have not been set. JPS officials will ask for input from the community as to what to do with the spaces once the demolition is complete.
JACKSON, Miss. —
Three closed Jackson schools have been approved for demolition.
The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees approved a recommendation April 18 from Superintendent Errick Greene and the administration to demolish Baker Elementary on E. Santa Clair Street, French Elementary on Joel Avenue and Woodville Heights Elementary on McDowell Road Extension.
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According to JPS officials, the decision was made after several weeks of deliberation by the Facilities Repurposing Advisory Committee. The three schools were chosen because there was "a lack of interest" from potential buyers for redevelopment.
"We determined that the economic value and condition of those properties were not strong after a Request for Interest was issued," Greene said in a statement. "We can no longer afford the carrying costs for maintaining the upkeep of the buildings, which have become victims of vandalism."
Demolition dates have not been set. JPS officials will ask for input from the community as to what to do with the spaces once the demolition is complete.
