JACKSON ADMINISTRATOR SAYS HOUSING BOOM A TREND

JACKSON -- What was thought to be a boom in residential housing construction appears to be a trend instead, Jackson City Administrator Steve Wilson said Tuesday.

Although growth has been steady for the past 10 years, this is the fourth year of exceptional growth. ~~There have been more than 300 homes built in Jackson during the last two and one-half years. More than 65 permits were issued through the first six months of 1996, more per capita than in Cape Girardeau.

Currently, construction is taking place in 13 subdivisions, with home prices ranging from $75,000 to $300,000.

Martha Hamilton, owner-broker at Coldwell Banker Hamilton Realty, said the average price of a home a year ago was $82,900; this year it has jumped to $96,400, possibly due to growth in the area.

Census figures put the population of Jackson at around 11,000, up considerably from a few years ago. City officials attribute the influx of people to the city itself to a safe, clean environment.

"It seems like this is a place people want to live," said Wilson, who credited Jackson residents with a commitment to a solid community.

The big draw to Jackson, though, seems to be the reputation of the Jackson School District.

"The school district is the great magnet right now," said Gene Mackey of Century 21 Dutch Realty.

There has been a significant increase in the number of students in the school district, said the school superintendent, Dr. Howard Jones. Enrollment has increased by 330 students over the past two years.

To accommodate the increase, a bond issue was recently passed to provide construction and renovation of the schools in the district. A new elementary school to be built south of Jackson will house 450 students alone.

"There is an excellent working relationship between the city council and the school board," said Mayor Paul Sander. "We intend to keep that going."

The growth creates a challenge to the city itself in trying to keep up with infrastructure.