MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Public Property

By: Senator(s) Seymour

Senate Bill 2151

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 1, CHAPTER 475, LAWS OF 2015, TO REMOVE THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE AUTHORITY GRANTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE WRIGHT AND FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME PROPERTY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 1, Chapter 475, Laws of 2015, is amended as follows:

     Section 2.  (1)  The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to purchase certain real property, and any improvements thereon, located within the Capitol Complex in the City of Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, known as the former "Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home," and being more particularly described as follows:

Parcel of land situated in 2.0 Acre Lot 6 North and part of 18.80 Acre Lot 5 North in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at the intersection of the North right of way of High Street with the West right of way of North West Street; thence westerly along the North right of way of High Street for a distance of 247.55 feet; thence right through an angle of 92 degrees 42 minutes and run northerly for a distance of 240.2 feet to the South right of way of George Street; thence right through an angle of 86 degrees 38 minutes and run easterly along the South right of way of George Street for a distance of 249.05 feet to the West right of way of North West Street; thence right through an angle of 93 degrees 42 minutes 30 seconds and run southerly along the West right of way of North West Street for a distance of 242.9 feet to the Point of Beginning.

Parcel of land situated in the 2.5 Acre Lot 6 North and part of 18.80 Acre Lot 5 North in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at the intersection of the North right of way of High Street with the East right of way of Lamar Street; thence northerly along the East right of way of Lamar Street for a distance of 249.4 feet to the South right of way of George Street; thence right through an angle of 72 degrees 14 minutes and run easterly for a distance of 128.4 feet; thence right through an angle of 93 degrees 22 minutes and run southerly for a distance of 240.2 feet to the North right of way of High Street; thence right through an angle of 87 degrees 18 minutes and run westerly along the North right of way of High Street for a distance of 190.4 feet to the Point of Beginning.

     (2)  The real property and improvements described in subsection (1) of this section shall not be purchased for an amount greater than the current fair market value as determined by the average of two (2) appraisals by qualified appraisers, one (1) of whom shall be selected by the Department of Finance and Administration, and both of whom shall be certified and licensed by the Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board.

     (3)  The Department of Finance and Administration may correct any discrepancies in the legal description of the property provided in this section.

     (4)  In acquiring ownership of the property described in subsection (1) of this section, the state shall acquire all interest in the mineral rights in the property, which shall be retained by the state in any subsequent agreement to sell or lease the property once acquired under the provisions of this act. * * *The state also agrees to maintain the historical integrity of the property in consultation with the Department of Archives and History.  It is further the intent of the state that the structural improvements located on the property not be demolished.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.