JACKSON HOUSING STARTS CONTINUE STRONG

JACKSON - New housing starts in Jackson continued at a better than average pace during the first half of 1992, according to a report to the city's board of aldermen.

Building Inspector Robbie Roberts said permits for 30 houses worth $2,216,300 were issued during the six-month period through June 30. At this time last year, 37 permits had been issued for housing worth $2,213,600.

Roberts said the average number of new homes built each year in Jackson is 43, based on a ten-year average (1980-1990).

"At the rate we're going right now, I would say we'll hit our average again this year. We're pretty close to it now," he said.

Last year, 65 houses were built in Jackson at a cost of $4,393,684. In 1990, 40 houses were built at a cost of $2,917,000. In 1989, 45 houses were constructed, worth about $2.6 million. Roberts said the greatest number of houses built since 1987 was 74, in 1988, at a cost of $4,629,000. In 1987, 66 new homes were built at a cost of $3,819,000.

Roberts attributed the two-year decline in housing starts (1989-90) to an increase in interest rates. "As soon as interest rates started dropping at the end of 1990, construction picked up again," he said. "And even during the two-year period, the number of houses built was still around the ten-year average."

Jackson Alderman LeRoy Brown isn't surprised by the continued strong growth in new housing.

"When you talk to people, you see a definite trend of people coming into Jackson from the outlying area, including Cape Girardeau. It makes me feel pretty good," Brown said.

"Based on what I've been told, the people tell me they move to Jackson for three reasons: our school system, less expensive utilities and low property taxes. The people look around, they check the costs, and they come to Jackson."

Alderman Kevin Sawyer said quality of life is one of the city's best attractions and the main reason for its continued growth the past ten years.

"A lot of it is our stable economy in Jackson," Sawyer said. "It's known as a nice, clean, residential city. The people here take a lot of pride in their property and the community."

Sawyer said Jackson's school system, churches, parks, low property taxes and utility costs, and overall quality of life, tend to attract new residents each year.

"By themselves, each one of these does not mean much to an individual, but put them all together in a single package and it's a tremendous calling card for people to come and live in Jackson," he said.

According to the report, the greatest number of new homes built during the first six months of this year were in Jackson's northeast and east-side residential areas, where several new subdivisions have opened.

Twelve new homes were built in Ward One, at an average cost of $74,334, and ranging in cost from $47,000 to $130,000.

One new home was built in Ward Two, on Old Cape Road, at a cost of $160,000.

In Ward Three, six homes were built at an average cost of $88,334. They ranged in cost from $65,000 to $140,000.

Eleven homes were built in Ward Four, at an average cost of $57,664. They ranged in cost from $37,000 to $125,000.

Included in building permits issued since July 1 are permits for a new house in the Kasten Subdivision on Old Cape Road, at a cost of $275,000, and a house in the Bent Creek subdivision, at a cost of $100,000.