JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
There will be a delay in moving several city offices into the Metrocenter in an effort to bring more foot traffic to the area. Monday, city council members took no action on the mayor's proposal to enter into an agreement with contractors to install wiring for the different city offices.
In December, city officials said they wanted to move 300 employees into the old Belk building by March. The contractor said they needed 60 days to prepare the building.
Mayor Johnson says the wiring would cost the city $250,000. City council members say they wanted more detailed information on how the money would be spent before they voted it through.
Mayor Johnson said, "There is no action today so we can't move forward, we just have to make sure that whatever concerns there are with the council are addressed, so we can move forward. Clearly the option is not to walk away from this project."
Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell said, "It's been referenced to us that a contract stated who was in charge of this cost, but we have not been supplied a copy of that contract."
Mayor Johnson says he's anticipating the city will spend $2.5 million in all, turning the anchor store into offices. Recently, Sears announced the Metrocenter store would close. The retailer is closing 100 stores nationwide.
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