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Community Forum Sparks Enthusiasm for Lake Hico Development
November 20, 2024
Residents of northwest Jackson engage with Jackson Public Schools at the District's first community forum on the development of the Lake Hico area. Presenters include JPS Superintendent Dr. Errick L. Greene (bottom left) and Roy Decker, with Duvall Decker Architects (bottom center).
On Monday, November 18, Callaway High School hosted the first community forum to explore potential development opportunities for the Lake Hico area. The event attracted a diverse group of residents eager to share their thoughts on how the 640-acre property could best serve our community. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees expressing excitement about the possibilities and offering a range of creative and innovative ideas. Suggestions included sports and recreational facilities, office spaces, housing, and other versatile uses, underscoring the site's vast potential.
Superintendent Dr. Errick L. Greene facilitated the meeting, emphasizing the importance of community input in shaping the project.
"This process will be community-driven," said Dr. Greene. “This is not a JPS-driven project. We need to know what folks want to see. Many people have been waiting for decades for something special, something magical, to be developed in that space."
To ensure broad participation, a community survey is currently underway to collect additional feedback. The results will guide future conversations and play a key role in shaping the development plans.
“I want to see green spaces, solar spaces, opportunities for our children to walk safely, some gardens, and districts,” shared Zach Servis, a Ward 3 resident. “There’s so much space there. We could literally put a different district every couple of acres and create something unique that we don’t have anywhere else in Jackson.”
Over the next six months, JPS will remain in the planning phase, actively gathering input to ensure the community's needs and aspirations remain central to the project’s vision.
As 16th Section Land, Lake Hico can be leased to raise funds for public education.
Download: Community Forum: The Future of Lake Hico (PDF)
More Coverage:
- JPS Receives Community Feedback on Redevelopment of Lake Hico – WAPT, November 19, 2024
- JPS Seeks Public Input on Lake Hico Redevelopment – WJTV, November 19, 2024