JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A judge ruled that the City of Jackson can proceed with tearing down Hotel O.

The Northside Sun reported Municipal Court Judge Jeffery Reynolds issued a memorandum opinion on July 28 to let the city know it can proceed while there is an appeal. He previously ordered the city to demolish the hotel on June 13.

The hotel is located off of Interstate 55 South and has been in litigation for a couple of years.

The owner of the hotel is Noah Muthana, who the city has been battling in court. Jackson police said attempts have been made to contact Muthana, who now has warrants for his arrest. They said the property has become an unsafe abode for the homeless.

During a news conference in August, Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said the city plans to put a fence up around the property to keep people away before the hotel is demolished. He said the city is working to move forward with the demolition process.