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Category: Mayor's News
Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program Now Accepting Applications 2025
The Department of Human and Cultural Services Family and Youth Division has begun accepting applications for its Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. The annual program offers Jackson youth paid opportunities to develop an array of work skills and experience and aims to foster an environment that teaches work ethics and life skills, while providing exposure to diverse careers in the private and public sector.
“We need to expose our young people to the work environment so that they can begin to envision themselves in that environment,” said Mayor Lumumba. “It is through opportunities like this that we engage our young people and broaden their horizons.”
The Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program is open to all City of Jackson residents between the ages of 16 – 24 years old. To qualify for the program, students must be 16 years old by March 8, 2025.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program online https://jacksonms.portal.opengov.com/categories/1093. In addition, you can apply by downloading, printing and filling out a paper application from the City of Jackson’s website at Family and Youth – Jackson, MS (jacksonms.gov). Applications can also be picked up from the Department of Human and Cultural Services located at 633 N State Street (4th Floor). Applications are due Friday, February 28, 2025. Interviews will be conducted the week of March 10-14, 2025.
For more information, please contact Jasmine Thigpen at 601-960-0556, or email adriena@jacksonms.gov
Thalia Mara Hall Updates – Week 13
There continues to be notable progress on the Thalia Mara Hall remediation project. We will continue to publish this information as additional developments are made. The current standing of the project is listed below – as of Thursday, December 5.
- Encapsulation – Theater 30% completed (The term “encapsulation” means enclosing contaminated or hazardous materials within a barrier to prevent pollutants from spreading into the environment)
- HVAC Cleaning 25% completed
- HVAC Encapsulation to start 12-2
- Lobby Mitigation 80% completed
- Office area Mitigation 90%
- Theater Mitigation 20% completed
Next Steps:
- Fire Marshal check-in next week to discuss fire curtain replacement
- Proposals for rigging are currently under review
Previous Updates:
Week 1 (9/12/24): Week 1
Week 2 (9/19/24): Week 2
Week 3 (9/26/24): Week 3
Week 4 (10/3/24): Week 4
Week 5 (10/10/24): Week 5
Week 6 (10/18/24): Week 6
Week 7 (10/24): Week 7
Week 8 (10/31/24): N/A – Progress Continues
Week 9 (11/7/24): Week 9
Week 10 (11/14/24): N/A – Progress Continues
Week 11 (11/21/24): N/A – Progress Continues
Week 12 (11/24/28): N/A: Thanksgiving Holiday Closure
Thalia Mara Hall Updates – Week 5
The City of Jackson is currently awaiting Bids for Remediation Procurement to ensure we get the best pricing and least disruptive timeline regarding Thalia Mara Hall. We will continue to publish updates every Thursday as additional developments are made.
- 10/11: Proposals due
Next Steps:
- 10/14: Proposal Review
- 10/17: Scheduled theater rigging inspection
Previous Updates:
Thalia Mara Hall Updates – Week 4
The City of Jackson is currently awaiting Bids for Remediation Procurement to ensure we get the best pricing and least disruptive timeline regarding Thalia Mara Hall. We will continue to publish updates every Thursday as additional developments are made.
- 9/24: CTEH submitted a follow-up Proposal to their Initial Assessment
- 10/1: Request for Bids for Remediation Procurement
- 10/3: Mandatory Site Visit for Interested Contractors
Next Steps:
- 10/10: Deadline to submit bid and qualification documents
- 10/11: The City will request best and final bid from the top 2 bidders
- 10/14: Selected Bidder will receive notification
- We still do not know when remediation will begin; however, that will be determined after a Bidder is selected. So far, the remediation timelines that have been given are between 4 to 8 weeks.
- We continue to work in partnership with the State Fire Marshal’s office to correct findings and violations in their report, though many minor violations have already been remedied.
- A final inspection will be performed.
- Clearance and certificate of occupancy at this point are to be determined.
Other:
- Asbestos:
Q: Is there Abestos in the building?
A: There has been follow-up to the initial site assessment performed by CTEH, including return visits to the facility and meetings with building representatives to address other aspects of the building, including elevated surfaces and ventilation systems. Per CTEH’s 9/24/24 proposal, the next logical phase of this project would be a Limited Asbestos Survey in which the inspection and sampling of building materials in impacted areas of the building for potential asbestos. A Mississippi-licensed asbestos inspector would perform the limited survey in the building to determine the presence of asbestos materials that may be affected by cleaning, removal or destructive remediation methods. Samples may be collected from spray- on fire-proofing, plaster, ceiling tiles and other suspect materials.
- Chiller Outside:
Q: Is the chiller currently sitting outside of Thalia Mara Hall a temporary chiller? Did the City Purchase it?
A: The Chiller that is sitting outside of TMH is not a temporary Chiller. It is a permanent
replacement. It is the one referenced in the updates from week # 2 and week # 3.
Previous Updates:
City of Jackson Mounts Hurricane Francine Preparations
The City of Jackson is asking residents to remain vigilant and prepare for potential extreme weather from Hurricane Francine. The National Weather Service forecasts heavy rainfall and wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph, beginning Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning. This could lead to some flooding, downed trees and power lines, and damage to roofs and homes.
The Jackson Police Department is ready for the storm and will be working in coordination with Capitol Police. The Jackson Fire Department is also prepared and has prepped equipment in the event of flooding. The city’s Public Works Department has a crew on standby ready to remove downed trees, check traffic lights, and set up barricades.
Temporary shelter
The city will be opening the Jackson Police Department Training Academy at 3000 St. Charles St. as a temporary shelter, beginning noon Wednesday. Plans are in place to open an additional shelter if necessary.
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Sand bags
Starting Wednesday, there will be sand available to fill sandbags from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 4225 Michael Avalon St.
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Important numbers
City officials are asking residents to use the city’s 311 action line, or 601-960-1111 for service calls. Residents are asked to reserve non-emergency calls from 911 to JPD’s administrative line at 601-960-1234.
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Weather tips
Be prepared. Make a plan for your household and pets. Monitor the forecast. Tune in to local media for weather updates. As a reminder, the city urges residents to stay home if possible to avoid dangerous road conditions. We will continue to post several weather-related tips on our Facebook page.
Click here for Solid Waste Storm Preparedness
Click here for Weather Safety Reminders
Update: Environmental Report on Thalia Mara Hall
Earlier this month, the City of Jackson was forced to shut down Thalia Mara Hall after early microbial activity was found. We quickly alerted the public and the media of this development when the information was made available to us. City officials then immediately worked to hire a contractor to analyze the environment, provide a summation and propose options for remediation.
In the interest of transparency, the City of Jackson is releasing the “Indoor Air Quality Assessment” report. The report, reviewed by a senior industrial hygienist, outlines the findings from the company the city contracted with, CTEH – Environmental and Scientific Consulting Services. The report recommends the repair of the HVAC system and the removal of some carpeting. It also recommends the cleaning of carpets, hard surfaces, floors and soft upholstery. A final air quality clearance survey is also requested. Today, the remediation team will meet with city officials for the third time.
The city remains committed to restoring Thalia and has put great effort in securing funding for those means. We were recently given $1.5 million in needed funding by the state to help do this. But this is an ongoing effort.
Most important, though, is the health and safety of our community. We will reopen Thalia when these concerns are alleviated. We do not currently have a timeframe of repairs, but will advise the public when we do. The city thanks the public for their patience and understanding during this temporary hiatus.