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Board selects developer to negotiate purchase for Poindexter Elementary; final sale contingent on contract
Summary
Jackson Public Schools designated Gulf Coast Housing Partnership and the Center for Social Entrepreneurship as the district’s preferred respondent to repurpose the closed Poindexter Elementary site into mixed-use affordable housing and community space, subject to a sale-and-purchase agreement and final approvals.
The Jackson Public School Board of Trustees voted Jan. 20, 2025, to advance a proposal to repurpose the long-closed Poindexter Elementary School, selecting Gulf Coast Housing Partnership and the Center for Social Entrepreneurship as the preferred respondent to negotiate a potential sale and redevelopment.
Mr. Burke, presenting for the facilities repurposing advisory and evaluation committee, said the committee received two RFP responses and recommended the Gulf Coast Housing Partnership/Center for Social Entrepreneurship proposal. The project would convert the historic building into about 30 modern apartments and dedicated community space. The respondent’s letter proposed a purchase price of about $12.81 per square foot (approximately $400,000) and indicated planned investment of roughly $15 million to renovate the structure.
Trustees approved moving forward with the recommended respondent but were explicit that the action did not finalize a sale. Attorney Dorian Turner told the board the correct procedural step was to designate an exclusive negotiating party and then finalize a sale and purchase agreement; the sale would be completed only after satisfactory negotiations and board approval of final contract terms. Trustees acknowledged a financing deadline the respondent had signaled to Mississippi Home Corporation; district staff said the respondent had noted a March 1, 2025, submission deadline for site-control documents.
Board member Dr. Hairston moved the resolution to designate the selected respondent for exclusive negotiations; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The district said it will continue negotiations, prepare a sale-and-purchase agreement for review, and — if terms are acceptable — bring a final contract back to the board for approval.
Administrators framed the project as historically sensitive adaptive reuse aimed at affordable-housing development and neighborhood revitalization in West Jackson. The district characterized the committee’s recommendation as aligned with previous board direction to seek proposals that preserve historic structures while creating community benefits.
No final sale was executed at the meeting; the board’s action authorizes staff to continue contract negotiations with the selected respondent.
