New Affordable Housing Development Moving Forward in Downtown Jackson

The vacant parcel on the corner of Blackstone and Louis Glick.  City of Jackson photo.

(August 16, 2023 10:28 AM ET) A new affordable apartment complex is one step closer to taking shape in Downtown Jackson. At the Tuesday, Aug. 15 meeting, the Jackson City Council voted to sell vacant City-owned property to a private developer to construct The Blackstone Apartments, a low-to-moderate income apartment development proposed on N. Blackstone Street.

The planned four-story development will feature up to 53 apartments, comprised of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, with an early education center on the first floor. It will be constructed on a vacant lot previously owned by the City on N. Blackstone Street between W. Pearl Street and W. Louis Glick Highway. This lot is currently open green space that’s ready for redevelopment. The units will be affordable for residents of a low-to-moderate income.

City Manager Jonathan Greene says this apartment complex will help with Jackson’s need for more affordable housing. “As we rebuild Jackson with new housing, it’s important that we make downtown living affordable for people of all income levels and backgrounds,” Greene said. “More people living downtown means further business opportunities and services the entire community can take advantage of.”

The vacant property was sold for $400,000 to Pivotal (formerly MVAH Partners), an Ohio-based development company. The Blackstone is projected to be a $12.2 million investment in the City of Jackson. There is currently no timeline for when construction will begin.

Pivotal previously developed the Francis Senior Lofts on S. MLK Drive, an affordable senior apartment building on S. MLK Drive that was completed in 2020. The company is also planning a workforce housing development on Greenwood Avenue in the Partnership Park neighborhood south of Downtown Jackson.