Commission blocks Farish St. demolitions

The Clarion-Ledger, 6/15/7

The Jackson Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday approved only two of 50 requests to demolish dilapidated buildings throughout Farish Street’s historic district.

While the commission did not actually make it through the entire list of 50 cases, it discussed and voted on 20. It denied 16 and tabled two others. Most of the 16 denials were unanimous.

Commission members expressed hesitancy to approve demolition, contending its responsibility is to judge how demolition would affect the area’s historic and architectural value and not on whether it would affect crime.