Planning Area

Downtown Neighborhood

The .9 square mile Downtown Neighborhood is defined on the south by Morrell Street and on the north by active rail tracks. SW Avenue forms the western boundary, while to the east Cooper Street acts as a defining edge. Like many urban cores, Downtown Jackson languished as communities expanded their footprints and focused energy on the edges and adjacent Townships.

Downtown Jackson is the city’s center for commerce and entrepreneurship, employing thousands at large businesses such as the CMS Energy Headquarters and small family-owned enterprises such as shoe stores, tailors, restaurants and jewelers. More businesses are moving into Downtown every day – investing in its thriving sense of community and culture and catering to the increasing number of people who are making Downtown Jackson their home. Despite this resurgence, the neighborhood has an aging housing stock, a limited number of owner-occupied units, a lack of open space, lower incomes, low educational attainment rates, and aging public infrastructure.

Reed Manor

Located at 301 Steward Ave, the 292-unit Reed Manor development, was constructed between 1953 and 1971 and sits on 5.4 acres of land. 289 residents currently call the property home. Reed Manor is a unique property with the majority of units occupied by single residents (237), along with a smaller number of 2, 3 and 4 person households (23). The buildings, which include efficiencies, 1 and 2-bedroom units, are in severely distressed physical condition and require significant rehabilitation and retrofit to render the structures viable as safe and sanitary housing. The Reed Manor site is densely packed, and outdated in its layout, which includes features such as overhead walkways and a lack of usable open spaces and convenient parking areas for current residents.