Council Votes to Demolish West Jackson School
JACKSON, Tenn.–The Jackson City Council voted on Tuesday to tear down an old school building the mayor called a dangerous liability. A boarded up building on McCowat Street, that once housed West Jackson School, now sits vacant. “It looks like it’s structurally sound on the outside, but I know there’s a lot of problems inside and kids getting in and maybe getting hurt or sick,” Barbara Petty said, who lives nearby. In a unanimous vote Tuesday, Jackson city council members agreed to tear down the building that was built in the 1939. Petty moved into the neighborhood about 17 years ago. “It’s a bittersweet kind of thing because it’s been here so long,” she said. The council agreed to spend more than $146,000 for asbestos removal and demolition. Some city leaders said the building is dangerous and a liability. “We want to make sure that our community is safe for citizens, not only from crime, but from blighted buildings and this is one of those buildings that needs to come down to make sure our citizens are safe,” Councilman Scott Conger said. The city does not have any definite plans for the land. Councilman Johnny Dodd said he wants to see someone put the space to good use. “Having that property there might be an asset for someone to come in to for further business in that area, or even home ownership possibility,” Dodd said. Petty said she would like to see a park in that lot. “There’s a lot of little kids around here that really could enjoy it,” she said. City leaders expect demolition to take about 90 days. The mayor said construction should begin this week, weather permitting.
