100 years after it officially became known as the Jackson Citizen Patriot, and 91 years after their offices on South Jackson Street opened for business, the Jackson Citizen Patriot building will get an overhaul.
The collaboration between the City of Jackson, General Capital, and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) have resulted in the allocation of Affordable Housing Tax Credits aimed at promoting redevelopment efforts of downtown Jackson, the city announced in a press release.
“We’re excited to see this project move forward with support from these tax credits so that we can continue to infill new housing supply downtown,” said Mayor Derek Dobies. “because these units will be available to low and moderate income families, we can better ensure that the progress and burgeoning prosperity we’re seeing downtown is shared with families of a variety of income levels.”
Dobies joined WKHM and announced the tax credits are estimated to be around $1.5 million, and should generate more than 70 housing units. Additionally, the agreement between the City and General Capital requires parking lot and curb improvements, including lawn maintenance, Dobies told GOC.
MSHDA Executive Director Earl Poleski shared Mayor Dobies’ excitement for the project. “The Albert Kahn Apartments project on the grounds of the former Citizen Patriot building will bring new energy and important housing resources to the region. I’m thrilled that the city is in support of this investment and look forward to seeing more doors open to affordable housing in Jackson.”
Albert Kahn’s name is no stranger to not only downtown Jackson, but Michigan as a whole. Kahn designed the CitPat building, the Hayes Hotel, Jackson City Hall, Jackson County Tower Building, and the Packard and Ford Motor Company buildings in Detroit. General Capital’s vision for the CitPat facility, located at 214 South Jackson Street, is to transform the building into new apartments and commercial space. The updated design will incorporate both unique common spaces, and the surrounding streetscape – paying tribute to the historic interiors originally in the Kahn design.
“We were confident we would land an allocation of tax credits, but it always feels great to get the job done,” said Sig Strautmanis, a partner with General Capital. “We are really looking forward to putting the finishing touches on our design for this project. With the Kahn building anchoring the site, there is so much to work with to make this a special urban infill community. It is right up our alley.”
Construction is set to begin in December. In the meantime, General Capital will begin producing final construction documents and securing an outside institutional equity investor.
