JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said an eyesore along Interstate 55 will be coming down soon.

On Wednesday, February 19, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) said the demolition of Hotel O could begin.

According to MDEQ, the agency’s received a notification on Tuesday, February 18 through the Asbestos & Lead Branch that said, “it appears that the scope of the activity has been adequately outlined.”

The mayor said on Thursday, February 20 that the demolition on the hotel will begin within the next few days. The city has issued the notice to proceed with the contractor.

“We know what a blight this is on our community, what a danger and threat it is, as well. We know that we have unhoused individuals who have often been seeking shelter within Hotel O, typically when it gets cold, as it is now. They sometimes set fires in order to stay warm. Not only is there another hotel adjacent to Hotel O, but we want to make certain that no one in a heavily trafficked area is harmed by this blight and this threat to our community,” said Lumumba.

The mayor said the city’s interest in demolishing blight does not stop with Hotel O.

According to Lumumba, the demolition is expected to cost around $250,000.