Thanks to $3.49 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Stimulus Package), residents of the North Mid-town area in Jackson will soon begin to see a futuristic neighborhood.
The City of Jackson and the Jackson Housing Authority (JHA) recently celebrated the ground-breaking of a multi-phase investment to provide healthy housing opportunities and neighborhood revitalization. The ground breaking was held May 20 at the corner of Livingston Street and Lamar Street in North Mid-town.
“It marks the beginning of a new era of housing in the City of Jackson,” said JHA Board President Samuel McGee. “With the solar energy feature and the savings that will come from that, “I think it will be a perfect example for the future of housing in the city.
Housing officials said as a result of using solar powered housing, residents will see a 25 percent reduction in their electric bills.
The ceremony was the beginning of Phase 1 of three-project sites to be developed as part of the North Midtown Neighborhood Master Plan, which was completed last year by its residents, the North Midtown Community Development Corporation and JHA.
The project is comprised of 16 new sustainable housing units (8 duplexes), and includes additional site and infrastructure improvements. The new 1,600 square foot, one and two story housing units of Phase 1 are sustainable, livable, secure and economical.
“We’re very excited about this new housing development and it’s contribution to Jackson. In addition to providing needed durable, sustainable and affordable housing, we’re pleased that the project will also provide new jobs in Jackson,” said Sheila Jackson, executive director of the Housing Authority. “We’re also proud to be building the first solar powered housing development in the state.”
According to Jackson, about 57 housing complexes have been removed in the Mid-town area to make room for the new solar units, which will include a diversity of housing types as part of the plan’s initiatives.
Jackson Hub Director for the Office of Public Housing, Holly Bellino Knight, shared with the crowd how impressed she was with the design of the units. “I’m very proud of the design,” Knight said. “This is not affordable housing; it is regular, upgraded, beautiful housing that just happens to be affordable.”
Knight also expressed gratitude to Jackson during her remarks. “I am very, very proud of you, Sheila. You are not just pioneering in the Jackson area, but you really are a leader for our state, and I’ve said that before and I truly mean that. Thank you for stepping out and being a leader for our state,” Knight said.
While Jackson is most appreciative of the kudos, she stressed how the project was a group effort. She thanked her staff for their hard work, the residents for their integral involvement, other partnered entities for their help with the various groundwork. She acknowledged her parents for instilling in her a hardworking attitude, and her husband Col. Kim Jackson for helping her to stay on task. “Jackson Housing Authority can do anything together. We have a true team in our staff. They all pulled together,” she said.
Mayor Harvey Johnson said he could appreciate the new concept in public housing. “I grew up in a time when public housing had people stacked on top of each other. he said. “What we have witnessed here today is a new level of thinking. Hopefully we can see this being replicated in other parts of our city.”
Noted Mississippi entrepreneur William “Bill” Cooley concured with the Mayor. He said he envisions solar powered housing extending into the West Jackson area as well.
The architectural design for the is done by Duval Decker Architects, P.A., a metro area business. “What’s unique about these houses is that they have good, flexible floor plans. They accommodate different life styles. For example, a single mother with two children of different ages will have different places to do their homework,” said Roy Decker, one of the company’s principals.
According to Jackson, Decker, who designs for JHA, easily captured her visions with his depictions. She thinks it and he designs it.
The project is expected to create approximately 110 jobs during the 12 months of construction.
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