JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
The city of Jackson has targeted 27 more unsightly properties for clean up. While they're scattered throughout the city, we found three on Ellis Avenue that have been a source of irritation for one resident for almost 7 years.
65-year-old Gary Lee Thomas has lived on this lot on Ellis Avenue nearly 40 years now. The self-employed contractor takes pride in the house he built for his family, by himself. But his hard work is overshadowed by abandoned houses next door.
Thomas said, "Well, it's been that way for quite awhile and just scandalizing my place. It look really bad. It look ridiculous."
Thomas says a rotting tree is a danger, particularly in stormy weather and that's not all.
Thomas said, "That back ditch back there behind my house back there; it ain' t been cleaned out in 50 years and it need cleaning out real bad."
He continued, "It just make me feel bad cuz I'm trying to keep mine clean, you know."
I told Thomas the eyesore properties have been put on the city's list to be cleaned.
He replied, "Alright, sir, that would be good. I sure would appreciate it and me and my wife both is living here and she is disabled and it's dangerous. All kind of people come up in here, you know, some was sleeping in there, overnight, that's real dangerous to me, my grand baby and my wife."
Thomas says he thinks the structures are too far gone to be rehab 'd and should be torn down, but he's thankful the city plans to, at least, clean up the grounds. In a previous Taking Back Our Neighborhoods report, I told you an historic Belhaven house and a house on Shady Lane in south Jackson were scheduled to be demolished. City officials told me that's not the case. Instead, the yards will be cleared of weeds and debris. We will keep you posted.
Let us help you take back your neighborhood. Just send an email to hballou@wlbt.com or contact me on Facebook or Twitter.
Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
