Home run: Jackson sees the highest number of home starts in more than a decade

In 2016, Jackson saw the highest number of new home starts since 2005.

That's according to the city's building and planning superintendent Janet Sanders, who said Jackson's growth has been trending upward for the last five years.

"We're beginning to see more higher-end homes," Sanders said. "For a long time, we saw houses in the $175,000 to $200,000 range, which is a more affordable home, but in 2016, there were more houses being built in the $300,000 and up range. That's a good trend."

She said higher-end housing typically signifies better economic performance, which directly affects people living in Jackson, and allows more options for people looking to move or make improvements to their existing home.

City administrator Jim Roach agreed with Sanders' assessment of an increase in higher-end homes. He noted new single-family dwellings in 2016 were up to 80 from 53 in 2015.

Dean Day with Southeast Electric drills a hole in framework for wiring inside a home under construction Jan. 18 on Spartan Drive in Jackson.Laura Simon

Roach said while not all new homes started are in the higher-price range, there is a shift toward higher-end home construction, and he sees that as an improvement.

That trend probably doesn't reflect a shift in population demographics, Sanders said.

"We still see a lot of young families moving here and a lot of retirees," she said. "There is a new subdivision going in that will be limited to residents 55 and older, so if that is successful, we might see a lot more development in that direction."

One project aimed at people 55 and older is a new development annexed into Jackson, Ramsey Branch.

Shawn Wren, owner of Wren Homes LLC, said his company saw a need for homes for young families and retirees. But in 2014, a focus group from the city determined the biggest need for housing was for people downsizing after they had retired and their children had moved out.

"We had some property located on the South Outer Road off Old Cape Road, adjoining Klaus Park, and we decided to develop it as a community for people looking to retire," Wren said.

He said Ramsey Branch subdivision is well situated, close to shopping and hospitals and convenient to several schools if residents want to take in a ballgame.

"It's a country-like setting but close to a lot of places," Wren said. "Pretty phenomenal response we've gotten for not having any construction completed right now. It's been a good thing."

Wren has worked all over Missouri, and he said he feels Jackson is unique.

"Jackson is crossing a threshold," he said. "Just like the signs in town say, it's home of great parks, schools, churches, homes.

"In the past, growth has been a little more conservative, but the new mayor is bringing in a more progressive approach, trying to get in on the front end of the market instead of what we've seen in the past," he said. "We've got a great thing going, and we need to offer it to others. I'm excited."

Remodels have remained mostly constant since the housing market downturn in 2008, Sanders said.

"In 2008, when the housing market dropped off, we saw remodels go up at that point, and they've stayed up," Sanders said. "That trend seems to be hanging on."

There were 52 residential remodeling projects at a total declared value of $1,056,380 in 2016, up from 41 projects in 2015 with a total combined value was $490,063.

Every year, Sanders prepares the top five projects by cost and includes residential and commercial projects. The top construction project was the new Ken's Ace Hardware Store at 426 E. Main St., built by Ken Fluegge.

The heating and air conditioning system replacement at the Cape Girardeau County courthouse was next, followed by three duplexes.

"Typically when we see duplexes on this list, it means we haven't had any big commercial projects in that year," Sanders said. "In past years, we've had a lot of school projects or, in 2015, we had the Civic Center, which technically falls under commercial.

"This year, we didn't have any of that, so we have smaller projects rounding out the top five."

Developer Brandon Williams, owner of Brandon Williams Construction in Jackson, said he thinks the market will continue to grow in 2017.

"We are already off to a fast start in January, with both home and lot sales," he wrote in an email.

He said over the last five years, he has seen a gradual increase in the Jackson residential market.

"Our community tends to follow a middle-of-the-road path" without the nationwide spikes and downturns, he said.

Williams said he sees many retirees moving closer to family and second-time homebuyers who want a new home.

"I think an improving outlook on the economy is allowing people to buy a first home and upgrade existing homes," he said.

Williams said some items in the works politically, such as right-to-work legislation and easing of bank regulations, could be beneficial to potential homebuyers as well.

Williams said his company expanded two subdivisions in the last 12 months, Jackson Ridge and Pioneer Orchard, both on the west side of town.

"We are also developing a new subdivision on the north side of Jackson off County Road 302," he said.

He expects Jackson to continue expanding to the west and north.

"This is where most of the developed land is," he said.

Looking forward, there will be developments in Jackson and outside the city, Williams said. This will give options to people moving into the area and to those looking to relocate.

Jackson schools also are seeing benefits from the upward trend in new home starts.

Schools superintendent John Link said because Jackson is seeing growth, school populations are rising, too.

"Of all the problems we face in education, growth is a good one to have," he said in an email message. "We continuously monitor the new housing developments and work cooperatively with the city and county to forecast possible areas of future growth."

Part of that monitoring is the Strategic Planning Process the district began during the previous academic year.

"Our number one goal was to develop a plan that would not only allow our district to continue to prosper academically but to allow for current and future growth with a financially conservative approach," he said.

The district received input from community members, staff and students to develop a facilities master plan in addition to the strategic plan, and Link said these two efforts will coordinate to address current needs.

"With the rate of growth we are currently experiencing, we will have to monitor and review our plan annually to make adjustments as needed," Link said.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address: 426 E. Main St., Jackson