JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The city council voted unanimously to sue the property owners of Hotel O to recover roughly $240,000 in demolition and cleaning costs paid by taxpayers.

City leaders say the owners refused to keep up the property and now refuse to pay for demolition costs.

However, one owner, Noah Muthana, plans to countersue the city.

Legal battle ahead

“We’re not just going to slap your hand if you’re not keeping track of your property. We’re going to use every tool in our toolbelt to make sure that property owners are doing the responsible thing, and that they’re keeping up with their properties,” said Councilman Kevin Parkinson.

The city filed a lien on the property to recover the costs. City leaders say the owners haven’t paid property taxes since 2022.

The property is located in the 4600 block of I-55 North.

After the hotel was shut down and abandoned, squatters moved in and windows were shattered. No one was running the vacant hotel.

Owner plans countersuit

Noah Muthana, the owner, plans to take legal action of his own.

He plans to countersue the city, saying he wants a judge to hear his side of the story.

“There was no reason to shut the hotel down. My attorney will ask the court why this property was shut down in the first place,” Muthana said.

Parkinson said he knows about the issues the hotel caused. He was the principal of a school located down the street from the hotel.

“It’s not something that you want students to see or young people to see. It was an eye sore for the entire community, and unsafe,” Parkinson said.

Message to property owners

Parkinson said the lawsuit sends a strong message to other owners who are not taking care of their property.

“Whether you’re a commercial property owner, you’ve got small property, you’ve got a very large property, we are serious about holding people accountable for making sure they keep track of their own property. If you don’t, we’re going to use every available means to try and achieve justice,” Parkinson said.

“Justice needs to be served, it’s just the right thing to do. They have an obligation to make sure their property is taken care of,” Parkinson said.

If the money is recovered, Jackson leaders plan to use it to continue tackling blight issues throughout the city.

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