Tax Exemption Plans Tabled

Plans to revitalize the old North Jackson K-Mart with tax incentives for a new tenant quickly get tabled during Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

The big plans were on the consent agenda, but Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson removed the item at the last minute.  His staff didn’t know why.

According to city documents obtained by News Channel 12, County Line Road Development, LLC is requesting certain tax exemptions for five years.  They own the property.  In return, the building owner is promising to spend at least $5.5 million on renovations and improvements, and its co-applicant - Comcast - would invest more than $1 million in personal property like computers, fixtures and furniture.

Although the documents list Comcast as a co-applicant and likely tenant, company spokesperson Frances Smith says these plans are just tentative.

“Nothing has been agreed upon,“ she said.

The old K-Mart building is located off East Beasley Road along I-55.

Ravi Singh, who owns the Exxon Gas Station on Beasley, says he’s pleased to hear the run-down, boarded-up discount store could be redeveloped.

“It’s an eyesore right now,“ he said.  “If the city is planning to do something productive over there, that will be really be great.“

Chris Mims, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office, says city hall is excited at the prospect of having a tenant move into this building because it will mean more money and more jobs.

Yet, it’s unclear why the mayor pulled the item off this week’s agenda.  County Line Road Development and their registered agent, Carpenter Properties, could not be reached for comment.

For now, it appears these development plans in North Jackson are on-hold.