Melton vetoes property seizure in J-State area

The Clarion-Ledger, 3/28/8

After listening to residents’ concerns in recent weeks, Mayor Frank Melton exercised his veto power Thursday to bar the Jackson Redevelopment Authority from being able to seize owner-occupied homes for a contentious redevelopment project west of Jackson State University.

Melton vetoed an order approved the City Council approved on Jan. 15 that allowed JRA to use eminent domain to acquire owner-occupied residential property for the University Park project.

The project’s Phase 1 consists of single-family homes and apartment complexes on at least 50 acres near the JSU campus and anchored by Dalton and Lynch streets.