JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – The City of Jackson will not turn over the deed to Smith-Wills stadium to the state.

During the City Council meeting on Tuesday, members discussed Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s order for the city to transfer the deed to the state. City Attorney Drew Martin said the state hasn’t informed the city on what may have caused a breach in the deed.

Fitch 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. The city took over the property in 1944, but Smith-Wills Stadium wasn’t built until 1974.

“Look like the city should have modified this deed years ago. You know, it’s not the first-time issues have come up about this particular property. So the city, you know, fell asleep at the wheel or somewhere down the line, didn’t modify the deed. Now it’s questionable whether or not the state is going to have a legal right where they can take it on the reverted clause,” said Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Ward 3.

Martin declined to comment, but the city plans to fight the proposed legal action from the state. Fitch said the city has until September 30, 2024, to transfer the deed to the state or there would be legal action.

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

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