A former Louisville, Ky., developer who left town amidst controversy and wound up on Starkville”s Comprehensive Planning Committee resigned Wednesday, according to city officials.
“Mark Isaacs” resignation from the city of Starkville Comprehensive Planning Committee has been received and accepted,” Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas said in a statement. “His resignation is a result of his understanding of the importance of the comprehensive planning process and his desire to see this process succeed without speculation, conflict, or the appearance of impropriety.”
According to an article published in The Louisville-Courier Journal, Isaacs” company, Legacy Development, went out of business.
Two of his projects, including the 38-unit Legacy Lofts, have been gathering weeds, and were taken back through foreclosure, the story states.
Isaacs also has been sued 13 times in Jefferson County over the past three years, including by banks that say he cost them millions of dollars by failing to repay loans. And he”s been slapped with two-dozen liens filed by electricians, framers, suppliers and surveyors who together say he owes them $526,000, according to The Courier-Journal.
Isaacs also is accused of misappropriating money, and residents of his condominiums say the units are leaky and in disrepair. Through an e-mailed interview with The Courier-Journal, Isaacs blamed his company”s failure on the economy and banks” unwillingness to issue loans, even though some residents of Louisville believe he skipped town to avoid trouble, according to the article.
“Without a doubt, Mark and his business endeavors have seen better days, but it should never be discounted that he is a talented and award-winning professional who has garnered national recognition from the Urban Land Institute and the like,” Dumas said. “I appreciate Mark”s willingness to serve on the committee and provide valuable planning and architectural insight.”
Attempts to reach Isaacs Wednesday by The Dispatch were unsuccessful.
Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman also released a statement on Isaacs” resignation.
“I am thankful for Mark Isaacs” willingness to volunteer his time and expertise in aiding the Starkville Comprehensive Planning Committee,” Wiseman said. “His service to the committee has been an asset. I understand and accept his desire to resign from the committee and wish him the best of luck on his future endeavors.”
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