The city of Laurel is selling the old Gibson building, and it will soon be back on the tax roll.
The Laurel City Council earlier this month accepted a resolution approving the sale of the building and property on Sawmill Road. Months earlier the city was considering demolishing the building.
The Laurel City Council had received a bid on the demolition of the Gibson building. However, the item was later removed from the agenda as city officials worked on a new plan. That plan materialized this month.
During the council’s meeting this month, Mayor Johnny Magee requested that a council order involving the property be added to the council’s agenda. The council agreed to add the item.
Then, when the item was addressed, the council agreed to approve a resolution authorizing the sale of the city’s surplus property at 925 Sawmill Road known as the old Gibson building.
The recent action is the result of several years of negotiations and work.
The building, which also previously served as an adult education facility and the home office of the Jones County Department of Human Services, has been vacant for some time.
It was in 2015 that the city council authorized the sale of the property and the listing of the property with a Mississippi licensed real estate broker for marketing and sale.
In accordance with the 2015 council resolution and pursuant to 21-17-1(2)(b)(i) of the Mississippi Code of 1972, the city signed an agreement with Frist Choice, PLLC, as the licensed real estate broker for marketing and sale.
Now, four years and eight months later, the council was presented a contract for sale.
According to city documents, the contract calls for Tillery Rentals, LLC, to purchase the property at a price of $100,000.
City Council President Tony Thaxton said the sale was “the best thing for the city.”
Mayor Magee agreed. “I am glad we were able to sell it,” the mayor said. “Hopefully, it will be developed and back on the city’s tax roll.”
As a part of the resolution, Mayor Magee, acting on behalf of the city, was authorized to sign the agreement for the sale.
The contract states that the purchaser will develop the 4.53 acres property for use as retail space, gas station, curb store and multi-family housing with construction of the retail portions of the development to begin within 180 days of closing.
Over the years, some concerns about the building’s condition have been discussed.
Those concerns are addressed in the contract for the sale of the property.
The contract states that all parties acknowledged that “improvements on the property were constructed around 1975 and that significant problems exists with the floors and roof.”
The contract also calls for several test and inspections to be done in accordance with the sale.
The contract also states that the retail portion of the proposed development should be complete within 18 month after closing of the sale.