Development plans for former Mayfair property not a done deal

Ownership of property, tax lien placed by city yet to be resolved

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Design Review Commission approved plans for a new apartment complex on the old Mayfair Apartments location on Tuesday, but by time the Thursday West Memphis City Council meeting rolled around, officials began to backpeddle.

It turned out, the city had approved building plans for a developer that had not yet finalized purchase plans.

The site for the planned 63unit gated apartment complex had been listed for an upcoming auction with the State Land Commission.

The city had a lien on the 4.5 acres after it paid to have the blighted lot razed down to the slabs. City Councilman James Pulliaum fretted over the details of collecting the $162,000 invested to cleanup Mayfair.

“We are looking at things and need to bring it out,” said Pulliaum. “The name submitted to us (for the building plans) are not the ones who own it.”

City Planning and Development Director Paul Luker confirmed it.

“They are not the owners,” said Luker. “At least not yet.”

“It’s on the record to be auctioned off April 18,” said Pulliaum. “I don’t know if the city is going to get our money’s worth or not.”

The Mayfair Apartment site was razed in two phases followed by two subsequent liens in July 2016.

Luker outlined the procedure to satisfy the liens during a separate interview. “When the property transfers the liens will be paid off before or during the transfer,” said Luker.

“They’ll have to finish the purchase of the property, I’m assuming they had an option to get it to this point.”

“Bottom line we need to collect our money,” said Pulliaum.