The plan has returned to the original location of Francis Street, after High Street and Jackson Street were discussed. “We scheduled a public hearing for February 28th and we’re proposing to make those honorary sign permanent and rename Francis Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.” Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies said. The Mayor said that the public hearing date gives residents 14 days notice of the proposed change and allows them time to voice their opinion. “I think it’s an exciting opportunity in front of City Council, and certainly a lot of members of the community have worked on and advocated for over a long time.”
Additionally, the City Council passed the new ordinance requiring landlords to pay for displaced tenants by a vote of 4-3. Mayor Dobies said that,”It requires that any landlord that has any tenant living in a unit where that tenant is vacated on the fault of the landlord (to provide housing for the tenant until the unit can be repaired).” The provision applies only to issues caused by the landlord’s failure or inability to make necessary repairs. “In cases where there’s been clear neglect by the landlord to provide safe, clean, livable places that are in such distress that they need to be vacated for the safety of the tenant,” Dobies said. He pointed out that there are some exceptions to the rule, which ensure the ordinance is only applied in cases of landlord failures. “It provides exceptions for any damage that may be caused by the tenant, natural disasters, hazards, fires, things like that; circumstances beyond the landlord’s control.”
The next council meeting is February 26th.
