NEW PARK TRAIL CONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS & SCHOOLS - Jackson, MI
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OFFICIAL CITY NEWSLETTER FALL 2021
NEW PARK TRAIL CONNECTING
NEIGHBORHOODS & SCHOOLS
In the seven years
they’ve lived in Jackson,
the Choate family says
they’ve enjoyed seeing
the City’s pedestrian trail
system expand.
“All the trail improve-
ments make it easier to
quickly reach parks from
our neighborhood,” said
Lesley Choate.
Brad and Lesley Cho-
ate and their 3-year-old
son Cooper are now tak-
ing advantage of a new
pedestrian trail along El-
The Choate Family using the new Ella Sharp Park Trail along Elmdale Drive.
mdale Drive in Ella Sharp
Park. “This trail will provide A new stretch of the
“Having a dedicated pe- safe routes to school for trail runs along S. Jack- INSIDE
our children for years to son Street and better
destrian trail really helps 2 City property
us appreciate all the park come. We also expect it connects the park to the sales program
has to offer,” said Brad to increase the amount of south side neighborhood.
Road construction
Choate. students walking and bik- Parks and Recreation 2 update
The new trail is the re- ing to school,” said Kriss Director Kelli Hoover
sult of a collaboration Giannetti of JPS. says both students and Nov. Election
3 preview
between the City of Jack- The Ella Sharp Park residents will benefit from
son and Jackson Public Trail replaces a 30-year- this 1 mile long trail.
Schools (JPS). old path that was deterio- “The COVID-19 pan- 4 New Deputy
Police Chief
Because this path rating, prone to flooding, demic has brought more
is used by students to and was too close to ve- residents out to use our 5 Murals honor
reach Middle School at hicle traffic. parks and trails for exer- residents
Parkside and Sharp Park The improved trail is cise. The new Ella Sharp
wider than the previous Park Trail gives another
6 Dog park update
Academy, a Safe Routes
to School grant from the path, is further set back option for residents look- New elementary
from the street, and has ing for safe outdoor exer-
6 school opens
State of Michigan was
used to partially fund trail a dedicated bridge over a cise in Jackson,” Hoover
construction. creek. said.
City Hall • 161 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49201 • 517.768.6060
www.cityofjackson.org
CITY PROPERTY SALES PROGRAM
Affordable homes are on City-owned parcel can buy
the market and residents the land and combine it
are enlarging their prop- with their property.
erties thanks to the City’s To qualify, you must own
property sales program. an adjacent property, not
Since the beginning of owe any outstanding tax-
the year, the City has sold es, water bills or fines, and
nearly 100 City-owned make a minimum offer of
properties. $300.
These consist of vacant Side lots are purchased
houses and commercial through the City Manager’s
buildings, but the majority Office.
of the sales are side lots Vacant homes and com- Vacant side lot on Burr Street.
that used to have a home mercial buildings are of- These sales are consid- iting cityofjackson.org/
on them. fered at affordable costs on ered by the City Council. citypropertysales.
Residents who own prop- the open market through a Learn more about these
erty that touches a vacant realtor. City property sales by vis-
LEAF COLLECTION ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Leaf vacuum machine cleans up Ellery Avenue in Nov. 2020. New sidewalk and roadway on Morrell Street.
Loose leaf collection is last year to provide an Drivers are enjoying tion of Morrell.
returning to Jackson this efficient leaf collection smooth street surfaces Other projects are bring-
fall. program that finished on this fall thanks to the com- ing updated water lines
The Department of schedule. pletion of several street and fresh pavement to
Public Works (DPW) is Residents are asked to construction projects. Steward Avenue, Doug-
working with four leaf please place loose leaf Construction on Morrell las Street, Clinton Street,
vacuum machines to pick piles along street curbs Street between Green- Biddle Street and Cooley
up loose leaves placed in the street and not in wood Avenue and S. MLK Place.
curbside. parkways. Drive wrapped up in Aug. Work on new traffic sig-
Every neighborhood will Collection information The project brought nals for N. Wisner Street
see two rounds of leaf will be mailed to residents a new water main, lead started in Aug. and will
collection. and available on line replacements, rebuilt take place through spring
Additional leaf collection cityofjackson.org later this roadway, and sidewalk re- 2022.
equipment was acquired fall. pairs to the five-block sec-
2 OFFICIAL CITY OF JACKSON NEWSLETTER
FALL 2021
CITY BUSINESS
NOV. 2 ELECTION
Races for the Mayor of Jackson
MAYOR and three City Council seats will be
decided by voters in the Tuesday,
Derek Dobies Nov. 2 General Election.
Current Mayor Derek Dobies is
COUNCIL Ward not seeking re-election, so residents
will be electing a new Mayor.
Arlene Robinson 1 Wards 1, 3 and 5 are all having
Freddie Dancy 2 elections for the City Council.
Jeromy Alexander 3 The following is a list of candi-
dates appearing on ballots.
Laura Dwyer Schlecte 4 MAYOR: Daniel Mahoney, John Absentee ballots must be submit-
Karen Bunnell 5 Wilson. ted by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be
WARD 1: Dena Morgan, Arlene counted in the election.
Will Forgrave 6 Ballot drop boxes are available
Robinson.
WARD 3: Caleb Blondke, Angelita outside City Hall and inside the City
CITY MANAGER Clerk’s Office.
Velasco Gunn.
Jonathan Greene WARD 5: Karen Bunnell Learn more about voting in this
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 election by visiting cityofjackson.
MEETINGS & IMPORTANT DATES p.m. on Election Day. org/elections.
Those opting to return absent bal- City elections are non-partisan
Oct. 12 • 6:30 p.m. and happen in odd-numbered years.
lots by mail are encouraged to do so
City Council Meeting as early as possible.
Oct. 26 • 6:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting
COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS
Tuesday, Nov. 2
$31 million in federal COVID-19
Nov. General Election relief funds is available to the City of
Nov. 9 • 6:30 p.m. Jackson over the next three years.
American Rescue Plan (ARP)
City Council Meeting
funds were received by the City this
Thursday, Nov. 11 summer.
City Hall Closed for Veterans Day A total of $31,444,000 is available
to the City through 2024.
Nov. 23 • 6:30 p.m. A community meeting was held
City Council Meeting in July to hear ideas from residents
about what the money should be
Thursday to Friday, Nov. 25-26 used for.
In Aug., the City Council voted to
City Hall Closed for Thanksgiving City Manager Jonathan Greene is
dedicate $1.5 million in ARP funds
proposing using the funds for wa-
Dec. 1 • 6:30 p.m. to a Group Violence Intervention
ter and street infrastructure, City
City Council Swearing In program.
budget stabilization, park improve-
The program will bring together
ments, and community investment.
Dec. 7 • 6:30 p.m. police and the community to reduce
Allocations of the funds will be
City Council Meeting incidents of gun violence in Jack-
considered by the Jackson City
son.
Council.
Get the latest news about the City of Jackson 3
by following us on social media
SERGIO GARCIA IS NEW
From the DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF
Desk of
the Mayor
Derek Dobies
In the next issue of the City Newsletter, you will
be hearing from a new Mayor.
After deciding not to run for a third term, I will
be passing the torch to a new leader for the City
of Jackson following the Nov. election
Looking back on 10 years of service to Jackson, Sergio Garcia was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police in Aug.
there is a lot to be proud of.
After rising the ranks of the Jackson Police Department for
Our neighborhoods have seen massive
the past 24 years, Sergio Garcia is ready to be the depart-
investments with new streets, improved housing
ment’s second in command.
quality, upgraded parks, renovated community
Garcia was promoted to the role of Deputy Chief in Aug., a
centers, and better pedestrian connectivity.
position that had been vacant since 2017.
The skyline of Downtown Jackson has been
The Jackson native has spent his entire career in law en-
reshaped with new apartment developments and
forcement with the department, working as a patrol officer,
full storefronts.
detective, sergeant, and lieutenant. Garcia also spent time
Passing the LGBTQ Non-Discrimination
working with JNET (Jackson Narcotics Enforcement Team)
Ordinance and recent racial equity efforts have
and the Jackson County Special Response Team.
worked toward making our City a place where
The new Deputy Chief says he’s looking forward to this role.
everyone can thrive.
“While this is a tough time to work in law enforcement,
We did this by coming together as leaders and
there is lots of work we can do to build bridges, and gain pub-
residents to do what’s right for Jackson.
lic trust. I want to challenge officers every day to do the best
It’s this collaborative spirit that will take our
they can to serve the community,” Garcia said.
community into the future, and will be needed
Elmer Hitt, Director of Jackson Police and Fire Services,
as we face continued challenges from the
says Garcia’s experience and leadership abilities make him
COVID-19 pandemic.
an asset to the police department.
While I am stepping out of the Mayoral spotlight
“I am confident he has the best interest of residents at heart
for now, I look forward to working alongside
and will strive to ensure the Jackson Police Department pro-
residents to continue our City’s progress.
vides the highest level of police service to all,” Hitt said.
I wish our next Mayor success in their effort to
A Hispanic American, Deputy Chief Garcia is the first per-
lead Jackson.
son of color to hold this position in Jackson.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to
“Personally, it’s awesome to see. I hope to use my back-
serve Jackson as a City Councilmember, Vice
ground and experiences to bring better relationships with the
Mayor and Mayor.
community,” Garcia said.
The Deputy Chief steps in for the Chief of Police in their
Sincerely,
absence.
Derek Dobies
They assist in the overall direction and supervision of po-
lice activities.
4 OFFICIAL CITY OF JACKSON NEWSLETTER
FALL 2021
COMMUNI T Y SPO T L I G H T
NEW MURALS HONOR JACKSON RESIDENTS
Two new murals honoring
residents are brightening
up Jackson neighborhoods.
They were painted this
summer by Evan Struck,
a local 19-year-old artist
who’s getting national at-
tention for his talents.
One of the murals is on
the side of a Clinton Road
building that’s home to
Jackson Michigan Giving
Back to the Community.
It shows Brenda Hughes,
the founder and CEO of the
non-profit that helps resi-
dents with basic needs like Evan Struck and Brenda Hughes in front of the mural on Clinton Road.
food and clothes.
Hughes says the mural is The other mural painted time to make them happen. Struck is also the artist
a reflection of her efforts to at VIRTUE Drums on W. “I was also looking for behind two other murals in
give back to Jackson. Michigan Avenue depicts projects to do in neigh- Jackson, a mural honoring
“I get choked up looking local drummer Geno Park- borhoods. If we can place jazz legend Benny Poole
at it. Never in my wildest er. murals and art outside of on the side of the Nite Lite
dreams did I think I would Struck says he paint- the downtown area, it can Bar on W. Pearl Street, and
be acknowledged in such a ed the murals because he really increase the positiv- a tropical fish mural at the
powerful and beautiful way. wanted to highlight the con- ity and love for art here in Pet Station on E. Michigan
I hope it brings more posi- tributions of Jackson resi- Jackson,” Struck said. Avenue.
tivity,” Hughes said. dents, donating paint and All Star Rental donated Murals and other public
the use of a lift so Struck art projects must first be ap-
could paint high walls. proved by the City of Jack-
The artist chose to honor son to make sure they are
Parker, a long-time Jack- appropriate for the building.
son drummer, on the side “I thank the Jackson Pub-
of VIRTUE Drums, a cus- lic Arts Commission for ap-
tom drum and music store. proving these murals. Be-
Parker says he’s been ing able to do this kind of
getting recognized around art the right way is always
town as the man in the mu- important,” Struck said.
ral. To start the process of
“The word ‘Listen’ in the painting a mural or install-
painting really stands out to ing an art piece, contact
me. I hope the mural will in- the Parks and Recreation
spire people to keep going, Department using the email
and encourage musicians recreation@cityofjackson.
to keep playing music,” org.
Geno Parker mural at VIRTUE Drums on W. Michigan Avenue. Parker said.
5
161 W. MICHIGAN AVE.
JACKSON, MI 49201
517-768-6060
CITYOFJACKSON.ORG
BETTY’S DOG NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PARK OPENS FIRST IN CITY FOR 50 YEARS
There’s a lot to howl about in Jackson
with the opening of Betty’s Dog Park.
The new park is named after Betty
Dahlem Desbiens, a long-time Jackson
resident who donated funds to make the
park possible.
Betty’s Dog Park is fully fenced, with
separate areas for big and small dogs to
roam free, including sidewalks, benches
and picnic tables.
The City’s first dog park makes use of
Beech Tree Park, a public park that’s been
without a use since its award-winning
beech tree was removed due to a lightning
strike. Jackson Public Schools administrators and staff gather to celebrate the
The central location of Betty’s Dog Park opening of Cascades Elementary School with a ribbon cutting in Aug.
makes it beneficial to residents all over
Students heading back to Mayor Derek Dobies says the
Jackson.
school this fall will be the first to new school is something the en-
Downtown Jackson has seen a housing
learn in a new school building. tire community can be proud of.
boom in recent years, with hundreds of
Cascades Elementary School, “Having a new elementary
new apartment units added to the area.
which replaces an old building at school inside the City adds a lot
Located within a short walk from down-
the same location on S. Wisner of value to our community and
town, Betty’s Dog Park will be useful for
Street, welcomed students this makes us a more attractive place
apartment dwellers and their pets to have
Aug. for families to thrive, ” Mayor Do-
ample space for play time.
Jackson Public Schools (JPS) bies said.
The dog-friendly digs is free to use and
says this modern building for 21st The bond is also funding im-
open to the public.
Century learning is the result of provements at school facilities
an $86.7 million bond that district across the district, including
voters passed in 2018. Northeast Elementary School,
“JPS is truly where community Middle School at Parkside, and
comes together. Cascades and Jackson High School.
all of our schools represent the Students from the former Frost
investment the Jackson commu- and Cascades schools are now
nity has in our children for their consolidated into the new build-
success in the future,” said JPS ing.
Superintendent Jeff Beal. Frost has been handed over to
Cascades is the first new school the Jackson County Intermediate
building to be constructed in the School District for a central edu-
City of Jackson for more than 50 cation facility, saving the building
Jackson resident and dog enjoy Betty’s Dog years. from demolition.
Park after its opening in July.
6 OFFICIAL CITY OF JACKSON NEWSLETTER
FALL 2021
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