[MittenDweller82]

For area residents and their suggestions on the future of the Jackson area

[MittenDweller82]

Not much positive news accompanies anything about Michigan right now but how about thinking ways we can help this city. I have lived in the area for 25 years. This city has tremendous opportunities for growth if the correct things are done to attract more businesses to the area. There seems to be great opposition against change in the area though. In recent years most all school millages have been crushed, along with anything that has to do with public support of advancement. There are a large number of senior citizens in the area who most likely cannot afford the higher taxes but area schools are overcrowding and city services are suffering. Since Wal-Mart came to Jackson, several downtown stores have closed, along with some inside the mall. Its sad to see a city that has a great deal to offer people continue to go down hill. After I finish my education I hope to start a family counseling practice in the area and am interested in what the general opinion was of how things can change in the area to attract more young professionals and new business? (Besides the problems at the state level)

[us2indaup]

I used to know Jackson well, and certain areas were dirty, unkempt and drug-ridden. I'm talking about the Francis Ct. area, Ganson St. area, and anything along Francis St. Is this still the case?
Taxes and millages aren't the answer - Jobs are! Period.

[MittenDweller82]

Yes at some extent most of that area of Jackson is still experiencing a general decline in the mode of living. Crime is high, but a great deal of it is hidden from media due to the small population. The jail is mostly overcrowded on weekends, a large amount of crime comes from that area.

[avalon]

Blow it up and start over!

[Piggy]

I'd start with a new Governor for the state and work your way down. She ruined the state for 4 years and she's working on 4 more. The economy is horrible, crime is increasing, she's laying off State Troopers and nothing seems to be getting better.

[kejasa]

Bulldoze the whole dang place!

I've worked in downtown Jackson for 7 years and I HATE it. People follow me to my car and knock on the windows trying to get me to roll them down. Drugged up people walk the streets. Rowdy, disrespectful teenagers are everywhere. (You can't even enjoy the public library because of all the rude teenagers who camp out in the place). The area is chock full of people who have no common sense and it just keeps getting worse. Honestly, I think there is little help for the city of Jackson. I'll be moving away soon and I cannot wait. I really, really don't like the place. If I were you, I'd open my business elsewhere. Then again, if you're opening a counseling practice you'll never lack for clients in Jackson.

[mykelcox]

Well I would have to say that first of all we need to re-zone the whole place. Starting with Downtown we need to re-zone for mixed-use buildings (first floor retail/resturants ect the rest residential going up). We need to set an urban growth boundary so when we start to grow we can contain the density within the boundary. Then we need to start working toward a singular comprehensive goal with the surrounding cities such as Michigan Center, Hanover Horton, Concord, Brooklyn, Parma, Spring Port, basically every place within the Jackson County lines. Then we need to connect to each of them by putting in light rail streetcars (for every 1 dollar you spend in light rail you get back 8 dollars and is better for the environment). We need to make the REGION more attractive for business and give EVER resident the kinds of places they would chose to live (not just the suburbs). There is room for both dense walkable communities as well as suburban and rural living if you look at Jackson County as a whole and not just the city of Jackson just like Portland Oregon. Then we need to make sure that all amenities are meet in Downtown first then spread to the suburbs. Like there should be a grocery store, video store, clothing stores, diverse eateries, a university, apt towers for renting and condo towers for buying, museums, music venues, a convention center, Parking garages instead of the sea of parking lots all of these things should be Downtown. Then in the suburbs you can have nice homes with a yard for people that wish to have that sort of living. We also need to maintain what we have instead of letting it go to the point of being noticeably in need of repair.

[alleghenyangel]

Jackson has more potential than most cities in Michigan, in my opinion. I am originally from the Howell area, and I would often take day trips to downtown Jackson. Jackson has more intact historic architecture than most cities in Michigan. Just compare Jackson to downtown Lansing -- a sea of parking lots and concrete. Jackson has beautiful old Victorian buildings, early 20th century high rises, and a remarkably dense, compact downtown area which is perfect for retail and has charm to spare. I noticed many cute little stores and boutiques. Jackson has everything you need, and the population is not too big. It's the perfect example of a "micropolitan" city.

Crime and poverty (and joblessness) aside, Jackson is a great city and I think a lot of people are blind to its strengths! I would have moved there in a second (and I really tried) if I could have found a job. If jobs ever come back to Michigan, Jackson could be a shining gem of a city, if only people would lose the general negativity and fight for the place. I think the problem is most people in Michigan don't like cities.

[Smooth23]

Jackson is doomed. There are no more jobs in the area, anywhere. Factories are closing left and right, stores everywhere going down.. Car dealerships.... I can't wait to get out of school and move out of the area.