Councilman Vernon Hartley, Ward 5, said the city received $250,000 from the state to demolish the old Coca-Cola bottling plant and the Old Gipson Discount Foods.

“Hopefully with these eyesores out of the way, we can have a better chance of attracting businesses and residents into our community,” Hartley said.

Hartley and Councilman Ashby Foote, Ward 1, led the City Council’s Blight Taskforce. In 2024, they went before the House Select Committee to ask for help.

“What we want is not just monetary help, but changing the laws, making the laws firmer when it comes to business owners stepping away from their properties. We have to have more penalties involved,” Hartley stated.

WJTV 12 News contacted the City Attorney to see when construction will begin. As of publication, we have not heard back.