Use of Old Wal-Mart Facility For County Administration…Back on the Table Old Wal Mart facility is in foreclosure proceedings

Some Commissioners keep trying to stuff the issue of purchasing the old  90,000 sq. ft. Wal-Mart facility into a closet to be forgotten…but the option keeps surfacing regardless of their efforts.  At Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Jackson County Commission, the issue was again brought to the table of discussion when County Manager Ted Lakey announced that the facility is currently in foreclosure proceedings, and will be up for public auction in July.
It seems that there are two liens against the building, a first mortgage for $1.1 million, and a second for $200,000.  The second mortgage is in default and has initiated the action.  Thus, the outstanding debt which needs to be satisfied is $1.3 million.  That would appear to be a bargain opportunity for the county to provide 90,000 sq. ft. of space for consolidation of all functions other than court related functions which would remain in the Court House.  The purchase would come with plentiful parking and would provide “one stop shopping” for citizens who are dealing with county functions. 
During the discussion, Commissioner Spires voiced his concern for the projected high cost of renovation and upgrade of the facility which would be required.  He appeared to still favor construction of a much smaller building near the Court House for around $10,000,000.  Other commissioners pointed out the fact that this new, lower purchase price appears to offer an opportunity to save the taxpayers several million dollars while filling the space needs of the county government.
By a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Spires dissenting, the panel approved allowing County Manager Lakey and attorney Baker to proceed with discussions with the lenders to determine exact requirements, scheduling, and potential approaches.