Jackson school board hears two redevelopment proposals for Poindexter and Marshall; vote set for next meeting

The Jackson Public School Board on Thursday received information about two proposals to repurpose closed school properties: a plan to convert Poindexter Elementary into affordable housing and a mixed-use redevelopment proposal for Marshall Elementary that would combine housing with community services.

The presentations did not include board action. Mr. Burke, who presented the evaluation committee’s findings, said both proposals "meet the required standards as identified in the evaluation guidance" and that the submissions "exceeded the standard" in several evaluation categories. Board members were told the district will bring the items back for a formal vote at the board’s next meeting.

Why it matters: the district has a rolling repurposing process for surplus school properties and has said it prefers affordable housing and community-serving uses. Converting vacant school buildings is intended to bring investment and services to neighborhoods and reduce prolonged vacancy, but projects depend on outside financing, regulatory approvals and, in some cases, tax-credit application timelines.

What the Poindexter proposal would do: Lee Harper, chair of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and Mary Elizabeth Evans of Gulf Coast Housing Partnership described a plan to convert the Poindexter building into affordable residential units and community space. Evans said the developer estimates about 25 to 30 apartments and an overall development cost of "about $15,000,000." She said financing would rely on low-income housing tax credits, state and federal historic tax credits, and other affordable-housing funding such as Federal Home Loan Bank programs; several banks have expressed interest in the project, Evans said. The proposal team has discussed the building’s status with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History because Poindexter is a Mississippi landmark building, Evans added.

What the Marshall proposal would do: district staff described a separate submission from 1 Voice, a civic-engagement nonprofit, to transform Marshall Elementary into a "renaissance hub" that integrates housing, disaster response, workforce development, health care and sustainability programming. Administrators said the Marshall submission is a mixed-use proposal that includes a housing component but was evaluated differently than a straight housing-only project because of the mix of uses. The administration reported the proposed purchase price for the Marshall property as $441,000.

Board questions and next steps: board members asked for more detail on financing and on sustainability elements, including a line item in the Marshall proposal for solar power. The administration said it would ask proposers to provide more specificity on energy plans and other technical details before the items come back for a vote. Two board members said they have conflicts for the Marshall item and will recuse themselves when the Marshall proposal is considered for action.

Demolition permits and other properties: the board’s general counsel, Attorney Harris, told trustees the district has filed required notices with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) related to planned demolitions. Harris said MDAH will present the district’s three demolition notices to its board at the next quarterly meeting; the district expects the 30-day public comment period that follows and then hopes to receive demolition permits after the April meeting. Administrators said the district currently has seven surplus properties in play through this repurposing process and that negotiations on other properties (including Wingfield High School and Chastain) are ongoing.

Procedure and votes at the meeting: earlier in the meeting the board approved the evening’s agenda by voice vote (motion made by Mr. Figgers, seconded by Ms. Hilliard; motion carried) and adjourned at the end of the session by voice vote (motion made by Mr. Figgers, seconded by Mrs. Thompson; motion carried). No formal board approval was taken on Poindexter or Marshall during this information session; administration said it will return the items for board action once outstanding legal and financing questions are resolved.

Funding and timing caveats: presenters and staff emphasized that both projects depend on outside financing and regulatory approvals. Mary Elizabeth Evans said the Poindexter team was working toward a March application deadline for housing tax credits. Attorney Harris and staff cautioned that timing for demolitions and construction depends on MDAH reviews, tax-credit awards and closing of financing.

The district said more detailed procurement, financing and energy plans will be requested from both proposers. Board members who asked for further details said they expect staff and proposers to bring those specifics before the trustees vote.