Questions about how much work has been done to restore a downtown building were asked at Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen before Vicksburg officials granted the owners, Nelda and Malcolm Sampey, a second extension on commitments made in 2005.

Robert Ware, who has restored multiple buildings downtown and recently opened a boutique hotel there, told officials the Sampeys were showing no activity in restoring or remodeling the old Sears building at 1509 Washington St., which they bought from the city on condition that it be converted into apartments. Conditions of the sale, which was executed for $20,000 under the Central Business District Urban Renewal Project, were that work on the building must be complete by October 2006.

“The original contract was not followed,” Ware said, asking the board not to grant an extension. “Thirty months is a long time not to begin material construction.”

Owner Malcolm Sampey countered that more than $96,000 has been spent restoring the building, whose ownership can revert to the city if conditions of the contract are not met. Trash and debris have been removed and flooring replaced on the building’s second and third floors, he said.

“I don’t think his requests are out of line,” said Mayor Laurence Leyens before voting to approve a 12-month extension.

The building was among those declared a blight and marked for sale under one prong of the 2002 downtown makeover plan. The program allowed the city to purchase properties then resell them far below appraisal but with stipulations that new owners must invest in them and put them in service.

The building, which now houses a Super 10 store on the main floor, was sold to the Sampeys in April 2005. The purchase and sale agreement signed April 25 says necessary renovations included adding eight rental units to the second and third floors of the building. Material construction on the building was to begin within 60 days and completed in 18 months.

“In the event that Purchaser fails to begin and complete the rehabilitation of the property so as to allow occupancy within 18 months, or within extension of time as approved by the City of Vicksburg, the title to the property shall revert to the City of Vicksburg…” the agreement says.

The first 12-month extension was granted in September 2006. In a written request to City Attorney Nancy Thomas, the owners cited delays caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, their insurance company, and difficulty garnering approval from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The building is designated a Mississippi Landmark.

“We have now secured all approvals and are awaiting a building permit to be issued by the City of Vicksburg. As soon as that is received we will begin renovations. As of today, the roof has been replaced, and the entire 2nd and 3rd floors have been gutted,” the Sept. 7, 2006, letter stated.

Leyens said the Sampeys have acted in good faith and have shown proof of their work on the building.

“We have offered extensions to almost every other urban renewal property,” he said after the meeting. “There’s a covenant on the deed and we don’t release the covenant until they complete the work.”

Asked about the delays and for further details about work that has been done on the building, Sampey would not elaborate.

“We’re working on it, that’s all I’m going to tell you about it,” he said.