Two public meetings held on Thursday, April 30, could help local planners chart Jackson’s future.
Approximately 30 people attended the two information and discussion sessions on Thursday to explore possibilities and provide feedback on the potential use of several properties acquired by the city and county through the “buy-out” program.
The public meetings, sponsored by QK4, of Louisville, and RES (Resource Environmental Solutions), allowed residents to see maps of the properties under discussion and review several possible land uses, but were also intended as listening sessions for new ideas.
“It is good that they have given us the chance to see and ask questions,” a resident of Back Lane said as she reviewed the maps on display. “It is good to know that they want our input.”
The effort is a part of the work to produce the Jackson Revitalization & Resiliency Plan.
The Jackson City Council approved the awarding of the contract to create the plan for QK4 at the December 2025 meeting. The completed document will make recommendations for the use of the 39 properties under study.
The completed study would then be used by local officials as a guide to seek funding to complete the proposed projects.
According to QK4’s website, the group is working to produce a “community-driven plan to strengthen flood resilience, revitalize neighborhoods, and create meaningful open spaces for residents.”
Open spaces and tree-planting projects were a major focus of the discussion at the two meetings on Thursday.
Possible uses of the land included parks, a river walk, open green space, outdoor classrooms, an arboretum, pavilions, kayak launches, fishing areas, and community gardens and orchards.
Officials said that the plan was built on one simple idea: “It's your town. It’s your story. It’s your plan.”
The final plan is expected to include a “vision for housing, infrastructure, and recovery,” “strategies for flood mitigation and long-term resilience,” and “identification of funding opportunities and implementation steps.”
The plan was funded with two grants to the city of Jackson totaling $272,000, including a grant from the Community Block Grant Development Fund’s Disaster Relief effort.
Research will take the public's suggestions, information, and concerns into account as they prepare the final document to be presented to the Jackson City Council for acceptance and approval.
No date has been announced for the final product.
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