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1 Voice proposes Marshall Elementary be turned into mixed-use "renaissance hub"; purchase price listed at $441,000
Summary
1 Voice submitted a proposal to redevelop Marshall Elementary into a mixed-use community hub combining housing, disaster response, workforce development, health care and sustainability; the advisory committee recommended the proposal but legal questions remain and two board members said they will recuse themselves from considering the item.
A civic-engagement nonprofit called 1 Voice has proposed converting the vacant Marshall Elementary School into a multipurpose community hub that would combine housing, disaster response, workforce development, health care and sustainability, Jackson Public School District staff told trustees at a special meeting.
District staff described 1 Voice’s plan as a “renaissance hub” intended to address short- and long-term needs in South Jackson while producing sustainable programming that could contribute to the district’s financial strength. The district’s evaluation committee found the Marshall proposal exceeded the standards in most evaluation categories and recommended it for board consideration.
The packet says Marshall is about 44,000 square feet. The proposal packet lists a proposed purchase price of $441,000 for the Marshall building; Dr. Green noted that figure during the presentation. “The proposed purchase price for the Marshall Building is, 441,000,” Dr. Green said.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the proposal’s housing component. The advisory committee’s summary included a note that the respondent did not meet the standard for an affordable-housing component, which staff explained reflected the project’s mixed-use design rather than an absence of housing. A board member asked staff to seek more specificity about the project’s environmental and renewable-energy plans; a line item in 1 Voice’s submission mentioned solar power as a primary energy source, and trustees asked staff to request more detail from the 1 Voice team.
Two board members indicated they have conflicts and will recuse themselves from the Marshall item when it comes up for action. District staff also said a few legal questions remain and the item “may or may not be ready to come back, immediately for, on Tuesday for, for action,” Dr. Green said. No final action was taken at the informational presentation.
Speakers who presented or answered questions about the Marshall proposal included Dr. Green and Mr. Burke (district staff). 1 Voice representatives were not present at the meeting to speak to the proposal.
