JACKSON GROWING: 1997 CONSTRUCTION TOTALS NEAR RECORD

JACKSON -- Jackson, in the middle of a significant population growth in the 1990s, is heading toward another record year of construction.

Unofficially, building permit totals for housing, home improvements, commercial building and educational facilities, were valued at just over $17 million at the three-quarter mark of the year. And, with speculation of a new Wal-Mart Supercenter, 1997 totals could eclipse 1994's record construction total of $18,598,453, when building was fueled by more than 200 residential starts, including single-family and duplex homes.

Jackson's population, which stood at 9,256 in 1990, is now approaching the 11,000 mark and growing.

More than 100 homes a year have been built in the city during each of the past three years, and could reach that total again in 1997.

The widening of U.S. 61 through East Jackson a few years ago has helped development along that main thoroughfare. In fact, speculation has it that the new Wal-Mart building will be along the highway east (but, not adjacent) of its present location.

The city is also only a few miles from the Procter & Gamble Products Inc. Plant, which announced a $350 million expansion program earlier this year.

Procter & Gamble, which employs more than 1,200 people, will add an 850,000-square-foot paper towel and tissue facility, with 350 new jobs.

New construction in the city passed the $17 million valuation mark when Penzel Construction received a permit for a new $3.6 million Jackson R-II school building, which will be constructed at 1701 S. Hope.

Going into the final quarter of 1997, a total of 279 permits have been issued here, with a valuation of more than $17 million, according to permits records provided by Leisa Floyd, who keeps tabs on the city's permits for the Public Works Department.

Although two large education projects account for more than a third of the valuation, single-family home permits have been a driving force of construction in Jackson with 61 new single-family home starts with a combined valuation of $6,280,001 for an average of more than $103,000. Ten duplexes, which add living space for another 20 families, boost the residential construction totals to 7.4 million.

About half of the home permits were in the $80,000 and under range, but no less than 10 of them were in the $150,000-plus range, including two over the $200,000 mark. The remaining single-family homes ranged from $95,000 to $135,000.

Jackson has experienced a strong growth trend over the past few years, said a city official recently.

"And that phenomenal growth could become normal," said Steve Wilson, Jackson City Administrator. "We don't know just what to expect with all of the new expansion in the area."

Wilson added that the city could experience even more population growth as a result of the P&G expansion.

"Building 100 new homes a year over the past three years has been a phenomenal development," he said. "But, that could become a normal happening.

"We have more than 800 platted building lots in the city as we speak," he added. "That tells me that people in land development have a good feeling for future home building."

Jackson's growth has been challenging, said Jackson Mayor Paul Sander.

"It's been challenging in the respect of infrastructure which goes along with orderly growth," said Sander. "Water and sewers go a long way in accomplishing good growth."

The citizens, said Sander, supported the city's need for a sewer and bond issue last August. "This will allow us to expand water and sewer and provide maintenance upgrades."

"I think our residential growth will continue," said Sander. "And, we hope that within the next couple of years to see some things will spur more commercial growth."

Five projects, in addition to the two multi-million dollar educational facilities, range in value from $190,000 to $500,000:

-- Casey's Marketing Company, a $500,000 permit for a new service station/convenience store at 920 W. Independence.

-- LeeRowan Co. additional and alteration at 1901 Lee Avenue, $500,000

-- New Faith Evangelical Free Church, 5303 Old Cape Road East, $400,000.

-- Mazzio's Restaurant, 2259, E. Jackson Blvd., $270,000.

-- McDowell South, an auto dealership at 4670 E. Jackson Blvd, near Interstate 55, $190,000.