Career Center’s 35th Student-Built Home Hits the Real Estate Market

Photos courtesy Jackson Area Career Center.

(October 20, 2023 11:35 AM ET) It has served as a classroom of sorts for dozens of Jackson County students, and now it’s ready for its permanent residents. The 35th home built by students in the Jackson Area Career Center’s Construction Trades program is officially for sale.

The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home is located at 1156 Lexington Boulevard in the desirable Three Forty Farms subdivision in Jackson. Its features include a dual-sided fireplace, lofts in the bedrooms, stainless steel appliances, and a finished lower level with a full kitchen and full bath. The asking price is $508,500, which is the average of the two independent appraisals that were completed on September 20, 2023.

More than 100 students from area high schools worked on the home over the last six years. This build was longer than a typical site house build due to the pandemic and the challenges that followed. While working on the home, students learn about framing, cement work, roofing, windows, installing doors and drywall, painting, tiling, electrical, putting in hardwood floors and cabinets and other elements of house construction. The program’s 36th site house build is already underway just up the street from this one, with another empty lot across the street waiting in the wings.

“This program has provided so many opportunities for our students, whether they go into the construction trades or not,” said Construction Trades instructor Gary Wrozek. “Through the construction of this house, students now have the knowledge to take with them throughout their lives

– whether they do it on their own, work for someone else, own a home and hire someone to do it – they know what the end result is supposed to be. Plus, they get the satisfaction of seeing what they’ve created with their own hands – that’s the greatest part about it,” said Wrozek.

An open house for potential buyers and former students and families is set for Friday, October 27, from 5pm – 8pm. The process to purchase this home is a bit different because it is owned by the Jackson County Intermediate School District. Interested buyers have to submit a bid by November 15, 2023, which will then be considered by the JCISD Board of Education at its November 21, 2023 meeting.

For more information about the home’s features and the bid process, visit https://www.jcisd.org. Media inquiries can be directed to JCISD Marketing & Special Projects Coordinator Kaci Babineau at kaci.babineau@jcisd.org or 517-748-1436.