During the Jackson City Council meeting on May 27, 2025, significant concerns were raised regarding the developer selected for the Hays Hotel project, Collier Gibson LLC. A local resident, Bert McClain, expressed strong criticism of the company, labeling it a "modern day shyster" due to its controversial history involving unpaid taxes, tax evasion, and foreclosures. McClain highlighted that one of Collier Gibson's partners, Remo Poceli, had previously been sentenced to prison for tax evasion, raising questions about the integrity of the development team.

McClain pointed out that Collier Gibson recently utilized $1.6 million from a state grant to settle back taxes on one of its developments in Metro Detroit. This revelation prompted him to question the city council members and city officials about their vetting process for the developer. He specifically called out City Manager Greene, City Attorney Hagerty, Community Development Director Shane LaPorte, and Mayor Mahoney, asking if they had thoroughly investigated Collier Gibson before approving them for the Hays Hotel project.

The resident's remarks also referenced a recent interview with Mayor Mahoney, where the mayor noted a lack of scrutiny on multimillion-dollar projects by city hall. McClain contrasted this with the scrutiny residents face, suggesting a disparity in how the city evaluates its developers versus its citizens.

The meeting underscored the community's growing concern over the selection of developers and the potential implications for local projects. As the council moves forward, the questions raised by McClain may lead to increased scrutiny of future development partnerships and a reevaluation of the vetting processes in place. The outcome of this discussion could significantly impact public trust in city governance and development initiatives in Jackson.