Groundbreaking Set for Albert Kahn Apartments

Photo:  Aerial view of Citizen Patriot building and surrounding property.  City of Jackson photo.

A groundbreaking for the Albert Kahn Apartments, a new low-to-moderate income housing development, has been scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5 at 12:30 p.m.

The Albert Kahn Apartments will take up the entire 200 block of S. Jackson Street between Washington Avenue and Cortland Street. Currently on this block is the former Jackson Citizen Patriot newspaper building, the former Beffel Lighting building, and a vacant commercial building. The former newspaper and lighting buildings will be incorporated into one apartment development, which includes a large addition on the west side of the block. The vacant commercial building will be removed for the addition. A new landscaped parking lot is also planned on the property.

The Jackson Citizen Patriot and Beffel Lighting properties are being incorporated into the new apartment development because of their architectural and historical significance to Jackson. The development is named after Albert Kahn, the famous architect that designed the Citizen Patriot building, which was built in 1927. The Beffel building dates to 1912 and is a Jackson Historic District property.

A new three-story addition is being added to the current structures. Overall, the Albert Kahn Apartments will consist of 73 one and two bedroom apartment units. The apartments are income-restricted, and are being made available to people of low-to-moderate income. 4,000 square feet of commercial space is also planned on the first floor of the Citizen Patriot building.

The Beffel building will be used for leasing and administrative offices.

The development is a project of General Capital Group of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a $17 million investment in the City of Jackson. The Albert Kahn Apartments are taking advantage of tax credits from the State of Michigan for providing housing for low-to-moderate income residents and revitalizing a vacant historic structure.

The community is invited to join city officials and business leaders in celebrating this new development with a groundbreaking event on Monday, Aug. 5 at 12:30 p.m. The event is taking place at the site of the future Albert Kahn Apartments, on the 200 block of S. Jackson Street in Downtown Jackson.

The development will be taking shape over the next year, with a goal of opening in late 2020. Leasing will begin in spring 2020.