A damaged stormwater pipe that collapsed on the parking lot of Redbone’s Grill & Bar, 584 Carriage House Drive, remains the focal point in a dispute between restaurant owner Trent Alford and the City of Jackson.

Alford said he was first told by officials with the City of Jackson he would have to repair the damage, because the property – which belongs to Alford – is private.

Alford told NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM and WNWS.COM, “… a storm drain pipe, a 48-inch pipe that runs from the Wiley Parker (Road) side of our lot down to Carriage House Drive lines up at about the west side of Wiley Parker Road that meets on Carriage House Drive across the street (and) upon further research, I found out the City has a drainage easement running across the property.”

Lewis Cobb, Jackson City attorney, said expenses to repair the damage belong to Redbone’s.

Estimates range from $45,000 to $80,000.

“The storm water pipe which caused the problem was placed by private citizens, not the City,” Cobb said, “(The) City of Jackson is responsible for maintenance of the stormwater drainage system when the system component is impacting a City road right-of-way or City owned property.

“However, in the Redbone’s property issue for example, the City is not responsible for the operation or maintenance of stormwater conveyance systems located outside of an established City road right-of-way that is not affecting the general public from travel along the City Street.”

(PHOTO: Lewis Cobb)