JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office has ordered the City of Jackson to turn over the deed to Smith-Wills Stadium.

Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R-Miss.) sent a letter to the city on September 13. In the letter, Fitch said her office was directed by House Bill 1983 to take action to “enforce the reverter language in the 1944 deed,” which conveyed the title from the State of Mississippi to the City of Jackson.

A provision stated that the parcel must be used for park purposes, and Fitch claimed that the terms of the deed have been breached. She said the city has until September 30, 2024, to transfer the deed to the state or there would be legal action.

“The City of Jackson does not believe that it is in breach in retaliation to the property. We certainly intend to fight in order to keep and maintain Smith-Wills Stadium,” said Melissa Faith Payne, spokesperson for the City of Jackson.

The stadium is currently home to the Hank Aaron Sports Academy.

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