News Flash

Jackson Youth Council ready to make a difference in City government

The voice of Jackson’s youth is about to be heard in Jackson City Hall. On Wednesday, March 3 at 10 a.m., the Jackson Youth Council will hold its first virtual public meeting. The council is comprised of nine Jackson high school students appoint...

Learn how to buy City-owned vacant lots and homes

All the information residents need to know about buying vacant lots or homes is found on the City website.

Our Town Meal Distribution Program: How to get free meals

The Our Town Meal Distribution Program is a collaboration of Consumers Energy and the City of Jackson to provide free meals from local restaurants to people in need.

Jackson City Council Feb. 23, 2021 meeting

The Jackson City Council held a virtual meeting on Feb. 23, 2021. Here are highlights from the meeting: 

• The City Council unanimously approved the first reading of a Fair Chance Housing Ordinance for the City. The ordinance would prohibit landlord...

New email address created for residents to submit comments for City Council meetings

There's now an easier email for residents to use for submitting comments to the City Council for citizen comment time and hearings. 

The email address comments@cityofjackson.org was created to provide residents with a si...

Efforts continue to help residents with unpaid water bills

With 2,200 residential water customers severely behind on paying bills, the City of Jackson continues to work with residents on ways they can take care of unpaid water bills. Help is available through various programs using COVID-19 relief funds.

Since th...

Help available for Jackson residents facing foreclosure

As foreclosures loom for some residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Jackson is allocating more funds to help keep families in their homes. At their Tuesday, Feb. 9 virtual meeting, the Jackson City Council unanimously voted to put an additio...

Jackson City Council Feb. 9, 2021 Meeting

Here are highlights from the Tuesday, Feb. 9 virtual meeting of the Jackson City Council. 

• The City Council unanimously voted to allocate an additional $120,000 toward a foreclosure prevention program. The program is administered by the Community ...

Open position on the Jackson Brownfield Redevelopment Authority

Jackson residents are invited to apply to serve on the Jackson Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (JBRA). 

The JBRA oversees the use of tax increment financing on select properties, such as former industrial and commercial sites,  that ne...

City and Ella Sharp Museum collaborate on Black History Month Celebration

The City of Jackson and Ella Sharp Museum are coming together to tell the stories of Jackson’s African American community for Black History Month 2021! Throughout the month of February, artifacts and displays relating to Black History from Ella ...

Jackson City Council Jan. 26, 2021 Meeting

Here are highlights of what was decided at tonight’s meeting of the Jackson City Council.  

Youth basketball program postponed to summer 2021

The Youth Basketball League planned for winter 2021 is postponed to the summer 2021 due to the State of Michigan's COVID-19 guidelines regarding contact sports. 

If you have already registered, contact the Jackson Recreation Depa...

City and Consumers Energy announce program to support local restaurants, provide meals to community

NEWS RELEASE FROM CONSUMERS ENERGY FROM 1-19-21: 

Consumers Energy and the City of Jackson today announced the start of the Our Town Meal Distribution program, a one-of-a-kind collaboration in Michigan to support local restaurants and provide free...

Millennium Clock Tower tolls 188 times to remember residents lost to COVID-19 pandemic

The City of Jackson is joined other communities across the country in a nationwide effort to remember lives lost in the COVID-19 pandemic. At 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Millennium Clock Tower in Downtown Jackson tolled 188 times to remember the 18...

Jackson City Council Jan. 12, 2021 Meeting

Here are highlights from the Jan. 12, 2021 virtual meeting of the Jackson City Council: 

-The City Council approved the sale of a historic train to a museum in Pennsylvania. Locomotive No. 5030, which dates to 1912, has been on display in R.A. Gre...

City of Jackson Winter Newsletter Now Available

The Winter 2021 edition of the City of Jackson newsletter is now available! The seasonal newsletter is mailed to every address in the City and is available for pick-up on the First Floor of Jackson City Hall. It can also be viewed online. 

• Winter ...

Jackson City Council Meeting Jan. 5, 2021

The Jackson City Council held a special virtual meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5 to discuss an ethics investigation. Here are highlights of what was decided: 

-The City Council voted to accept written answers from Councilmember Laura Dwyer Schlecte abou...

Woof! City of Jackson announces creation of new dog park

Four-legged furry friends and their two-legged parents will soon have a new park made just for canines to socialize and romp around in. The City of Jackson is announcing the creation of its first-ever dog park! Located at the corner of N. Blackstone and V...

Latest information on COVID-19 vaccine in Jackson County

The Jackson County Health Department will begin COVID-19 vaccinations in the coming weeks.

Jackson School of the Arts moving downtown following purchase of City-owned property

A vacant historic building in Downtown Jackson will soon be filled with art, dance, theatre and music! At their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8, the Jackson City Council approved a $500,000 offer from the Jackson School of the Arts (JSA) to purchase the former...

UPDATE: Leaf collection completed

The City of Jackson Department of Public Works (DPW) started the Fall 2020 Loose Leaf Collection Program on Monday, Nov. 2. The DPW is planning two rounds of leaf collection in every section of the City from Monday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Dec. 10. &...

Jackson City Council Meeting Dec. 8, 2020

Here are highlights from the Dec. 8, 2020 virtual meeting of the Jackson City Council: 

Jackson firefighters train to keep rescue skills sharp

When they're not putting out fires or responding to emergency calls, firefighters spend lots of time training to keep their skills sharp. 

City of Jackson and Summit Township firefighters trained together in early Dec. to make sure they&a...

1 million pounds of food distributed in community COVID-19 response

JOINT NEWS RELEASE FROM THE CITY OF JACKSON AND THE UNITED WAY OF JACKSON COUNTY: 

Despite the lingering pandemic, an army of local community volunteers, government leaders, businesses, nonprofits and others have distributed an estimated 1,032,300...

Jackson City Council Nov. 24, 2020 meeting

Here are highlights of what happened at the Nov. 24, 2020 virtual meeting of the Jackson City Council: 

-The City of Jackson is getting its first marijuana business. The City Council approved a marijuana license for Attitude Wellness at 1512 N. We...

New roundabout opens at MLK Drive and Morrell Street

Traffic is moving again through the intersection of MLK Drive and Morrell Street following the completion of a massive construction project! 

There's now a new roundabout at the intersection, which includes increased pedestrian access and...

See inside the new Dept. of Public Works Operations Center

Department of Public Works (DPW) crews have a new place to launch from when they go out to maintain Jackson's streets and infrastructure! 

The new DPW Operations Center was completed earlier this fall on Water Street. 

This video ...

Jackson City Council Meeting Nov. 10, 2020

Here are highlights from the Nov. 10, 2020 virtual meeting of the Jackson City Council: 

-Two street construction projects are taking a step forward following City Council approval. The council voted to advance special assessments for th...

New historical marker honors Jackson's anti-slavery history

Jackson’s anti-slavery history is being honored with a new State of Michigan Historical Marker. The marker, titled “Abolitionists in Jackson”, was unveiled during an outdoor event Friday morning in Bucky Harris Park.

Bucky Ha...

Jackson City Council officially creates MLK Corridor Improvement Authority

A Jackson neighborhood is set to see big improvements in the coming years. At its Oct. 27 meeting, the Jackson City Council voted unanimously to officially create the MLK Corridor Improvement Authority. 

The main goal of the corridor improvement a...

Two City Charter amendments approved by Jackson voters in Nov. election

Two changes are being made to the Jackson City Charter after voters overwhelmingly approved two amendments in the Nov. 3 General Election. Here are breakdowns of the two Charter amendments and what they mean for Jackson. 

AMENDMENT TO CITY CHARTER...

Jackson City Council Oct. 27, 2020 Meeting

The Jackson City Council returned to a virtual format for it Oct. 27 meeting. Here are highlights of what happened at the meeting: 

-The City Council voted unanimously to officially create the MLK Corridor Improvement Authority. The auth...

Human Relations Commission releases election civility statement

The City of Jackson Human Relations Commission (HRC) is calling on the Jackson community to show civility during the Nov. 3 General Election. A statement on election civility was confirmed at the commission’s meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21. This ...

Completion of MLK Center renovation project celebrated with ribbon cutting event

The Jackson community celebrated the completion of a $1.9 million renovation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center with an outdoor ribbon cutting Friday morning. The ribbon cutting event, which was attended by local officials and community membe...

City of Jackson receives award for financial reporting

The City of Jackson is getting international recognition for its transparency in financial reporting. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial...

New program helps police department identify missing people with communication difficulties

Realizing a loved one is missing and unable to communicate can be a scary experience for families. A new program launched by the Jackson Police Department will give caregivers peace of mind that their loved one can be quickly identified and safely brought...

City receives State grant to provide lighting on MLK Equality Trail

Local walkers, runners and bikers are about to be illuminated by new lighting coming to the City of Jackson’s main pedestrian trail. At their Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting, the Jackson City Council accepted a grant from the Michigan Department of Nat...

How to vote using an absentee ballot in the City of Jackson

The City of Jackson has seen a large increase in residents voting by absentee ballot during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Voters who applied for an absentee ballot in the August Primary Election and indicated they’d like to receive an absentee ballot fo...

Jackson City Council Meeting Oct. 13, 2020

The Jackson City Council had an unusual venue for its Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting. The meeting was held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center pavilion.  Due to the ending of Executive Orders on virtual meetings and COVID-19 concerns, the me...

Local high school students may now apply to serve on the first-ever Jackson Youth Council

High school students who would like to make a difference in their local government are invited to serve on the newly-created Jackson Youth Council. The City of Jackson is now taking applications for positions on the Youth Council. 

The 10 member c...

Be counted! Respond to the U.S. Census

The City of Jackson is reminding residents to be counted in the 2020 Census. 

If you haven’t completed the Census yet, you should know the deadline is Saturday, Oct. 31. Thankfully, this is something you and your family can do from the s...

Improvements planned for Loomis Park & Boos Community Center

A popular park and busy community center in an east side neighborhood are about to see big improvements from the City of Jackson. 

Loomis Park is the largest public park on Jackson’s east side. At their Sept. 8 meeting, the Jackson City ...

Fall Hydrant Flushing Program begins Sept. 21

The City of Jackson Department of Public Works (DPW) is conducting its Fall Hydrant Flushing Program starting Monday, Sept. 21. The flushing activity starts in the southwest section of the City and is set to conclude on Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the northeast se...

City Council creates Racial Equity Commission, Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

A new commission and City department has been created to focus on racial equity efforts in the City of Jackson. At their Tuesday, Sept. 9 meeting, the Jackson City Council voted to create the Racial Equity Commission and the Department of Diversity, Equit...

Jackson City Council Sept. 8, 2020 Meeting

Here are highlights from the Sept. 8, 2020 meeting of the Jackson City Council:

• The City Council unanimously approved the creation of a Racial Equity Commission and a Department of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity. The new commission and department will hel...

Fall 2020 Newsletter now available!

The Fall 2020 edition of the City of Jackson Newsletter is now available to view! 

You can see a digital copy of the newsletter on the City website. 

Here’s what’s featured in this edition: 

• A guide for...

Protect waterways: How to be storm drain savvy

You don’t have to live on waterfront property to have direct access to Michigan’s rivers and lakes. The water that runs off your property into the street storm drain flows straight into the local water system.  That’...

Neighborhood street resurfacing project continues this fall

Three neighborhood streets on Jackson’s west side with crumbling pavement and outdated sidewalks are getting big overhauls this fall as an ongoing street improvement project continues. Thompson, Durand and Higby streets between Carlton Boulevard...

City proposes using more federal funds to help residents with unpaid water bills

With job layoffs and various financial strains, the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many Jackson residents. The City of Jackson believes these tough times are causing residents to fall behind on water bills. Last month, the Utility Billing Divisi...

Smoking ban in Jackson parks and cemeteries begins

Jackson’s parks and cemeteries have gone smoke free.  An addition to the City’s Clean Air Ordinance, which prohibits the use of tobacco products in public parks and cemeteries, went into effect on Friday, Aug. 14.

The ordinanc...

Jonathan Greene is Jackson's new City Manager

Jonathan Greene has been a familiar face around Jackson for the last 11 years as he’s worked his way through City government.  His latest job has him working on the top floor of Jackson City Hall as the new City Manager. 

Greene...

Jackson City Council Aug. 11 Meeting

Here are highlights from the Aug. 11 virtual meeting of the Jackson City Council: 

The City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Jonathan Greene to the City Manager position. He had been serving as the Interim City Manager since Feb. Gr...

Learn about the proposed MLK Corridor Improvement Authority

A Jackson neighborhood could see big improvements in the coming years. The Jackson City Council will soon consider officially establishing the MLK Corridor Improvement Authority for Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Prospect Street in Jackson’s s...

Bucky Harris Park recognized by National Park Service for Underground Railroad History

A public park in Downtown Jackson is being recognized for its connections to the Underground Railroad. Bucky Harris Park was recently added to the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. It’s a program...

In-person Administrative Hearings Bureau meetings resume in Aug.

The City of Jackson’s Administrative Hearings Bureau (AHB) is resuming in-person meetings for the month of August. These will be the first in-person public meetings the City is allowing since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March.

The AHB is a C...

Summer 2020 City of Jackson Newsletter now available!

Learn the latest news from the City of Jackson! 

Our City newsletter is mailed out to every home and business in the City once every season. 

This summer 2020 issue focuses on how the City and community continues to respond to the COVID-19...

Human Relations Commission looking for new members

The City of Jackson Human Relations Commission (HRC) is looking for new members. 

The commission is currently looking to fill two vacancies.  They are for a commissioner and ex-officio commissioner position. Those interested in applying c...

Reminder: Do not place election signs on City property or along streets

With the 2020 elections quickly approaching, you’ve probably seen a lot of election signs around Jackson. 

The City has noticed that many of them are inappropriately placed on City property and the "right of way" area, which is...

New website launched for City property sales

Jackson residents have a new way to locate and buy City-owned property. The City of Jackson has launched a new section of its website for City property sales. By visiting cityofjackson.org/citypropertysales,  residents can see which properties ar...

Human Relations Commission releases anti-racism statement

The City of Jackson Human Relations Commission is releasing an anti-racism statement. The statement was confirmed at the commission’s meeting on Wednesday, July 15. This is the full statement: 

“We, the members of the City of J...

City stresses the importance of special event approval process

Response fund distributes 170k pounds of food, 132k basic need items with help from City of Jackson

Jackson continues to come together to meet community needs during the COVID-19 crisis. One partnership that is making an impact is the collaboration of the City of Jackson and the United Way of Jackson County.  

This time of the year, the Boos Com...

Jackson City Hall reopens to the public following COVID-19 closure

After a COVID-19 closure that’s lasted nearly four months, Jackson City Hall officially reopened to the public on Wednesday, July 8. 

Reopening City Hall comes with the following safety measures to protect public health: 

• Anyone ...

Greenwood Avenue and traffic circle now open to traffic!

The year-long construction project to repave Greenwood Avenue from Mason to Morrell and build a traffic circle around Austin Blair Park is finally complete! 

The scope of the project and weather delays caused this $2.3 million project to fall seve...

2019 Water Quality Report being mailed to homes

The 2019 Water Quality Report is now appearing in mailboxes all over the City of Jackson. 

The annual report, which is mandated by the State of Michigan, informs residents of how water is sourced, treated and tested by the City of Jackson Water De...

Learn about the City's fireworks laws ahead of Independence Day

As Jackson residents plan summer holiday celebrations, they will want to be aware of the City’s Fireworks ordinance.

The Jackson City Council changed the City of Jackson’s Fireworks Ordinance in April 2019 to reflect the new state laws....

Reduce the cost of blight violation fines by working with the City

Residents who are facing fines for blight violations have an opportunity to avoid some fees if they work with the City. 

At its June 16 meeting, the Jackson City Council passed a resolution that allows residents to reduce the amount they owe in fi...

Black Lives Matter mural painted in Downtown Jackson

The Jackson community came together on Friday, June 19 in Downtown Jackson to make an important statement about our city: Black Lives Matter. The City of Jackson worked with residents to paint a mural on the road surface of W. Washington Avenue that says ...

Jackson celebrates Juneteenth 2020 with special video tribute

Every June, thousands of Jackson residents pack Horace Blackman Park in Downtown Jackson to celebrate Juneteenth. This year’s public Juneteenth event, which was organized by Jackson College, had to be canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Wanting t...

Racism declared a public health crisis in Jackson

At their virtual meeting on Tuesday, June 16, the Jackson City Council unanimously approved a resolution that declares racism a public health crisis, and lays out ways to dismantle systematic racism in Jackson.

The resolution, titled Declaration of Racism ...

Jackson City Council June 16, 2020 meeting

Here are some highlights from the Jackson City Council’s virtual meeting on June 16.

• The council adopted a resolution that declares racism a public health crisis. The resolution recognizes the impacts of institutional racism on the health and wel...

MLK Drive construction project begins Monday, June 15

A $2.4 million construction project that will reconstruct a major road and build a new roundabout at a busy intersection starts Monday, June 15 in Jackson. The work is happening on S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between E. Mason and E. Morrell streets. C...

City of Jackson residents may now apply for COVID-19 relief through Community Action Agency

With the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the community, the City of Jackson and Community Action Agency (CAA) are joining forces to keep Jackson residents in their homes with access to water. Residents can now apply for assistance through CAA to ...

REVISED: Parks and Recreation reopening plan

UPDATED: The City of Jackson is announcing plans to reopen park facilities and restart recreation programs! This decision comes after a new Executive Order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that ends the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order and moves Michigan into Stage 4...

City of Jackson celebrates LGBTQ pride month

The City of Jackson is recognizing LGBTQ pride month with a Mayoral Proclamation, video, and flying of the pride flag in Horace Blackman Park.

On Monday, June 8, Mayor Derek Dobies signed a Mayoral Proclamation that designates June 2020 as LGBTQ Pride Mont...

W. Franklin St. reconstruction project starts Monday, June 8

The first major road construction project of the summer 2020 season starts in Jackson on Monday, June 8 with a full-scale reconstruction of W. Franklin Street between S. Brown Street and S. West Avenue. The $1.9 million project will fully reconstruct the ...

City's MLK Community Center getting new weight room thanks to donation from Alro Steel

When the City of Jackson’s newly renovated Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center reopens later this year, residents can enjoy new exercise equipment donated by Alro Steel, a local metal distribution company. The refurbished exercise area, name...

City reacts to lifting of Stay Home order with partial City Hall reopening & business help

Jackson has most energy-efficient buildings for a small city in the nation

TAKEN FROM CONSUMERS ENERGY PRESS RELEASE: 

JACKSON, Mich., June 3, 2020 – Consumers Energy’s hometown of Jackson is now Michigan’s clean energy capital, after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has...

City of Jackson statement on planned protests in Jackson

The City of Jackson and Jackson Police Department are aware of peaceful protests planned for the afternoon of Monday, June 1 in Downtown Jackson near the Jackson County Courthouse and at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and High Street. Ci...

Street & lane closures in Downtown Jackson start June 1 for railroad bridge replacement project

A long-waited construction project to replace two aging railroad bridges in Downtown Jackson will begin on Monday, June 1. In order to replace the railroad bridges that go over N. Jackson and N. Mechanic streets, Consumers Energy must first upgrade electr...

City creates new public park on S. MLK Drive named "Workers Memorial Park"

A new public park has been created in the City of Jackson. At their Tuesday, May 26 meeting, the Jackson City Council voted to create a new park in a neighborhood south of Downtown Jackson. 

The new park, which is located on S. Martin Luther King ...

Memorial Day message from Mayor Derek Dobies

While we are recognizing Memorial Day differently this year, the message is still the same. Thank you to the brave men and women who have died serving our country. Mayor Derek Dobies honors Memorial Day with this video message, and shares a way residents ...

COVID-19 response efforts making impact in Jackson

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis continues to affect the community, Jackson is rising to the challenge and stepping up to help those in need. This important work of responding to basic needs is taking place through the leadership of the Jackson COVID-...

Mayors of Jackson & Lansing join forces for "Stay Home, Stay Safe" PSA

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic impacts lives across mid-Michigan, two mayors are teaming up for a united message to keep people safe. Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies have recorded a joint public service announcement (PSA) t...

Jackson area public safety honors hospital workers with first responder parade

Hospitals across the country have been ground zero in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19). In Jackson, that fight is taking place at Henry Ford Allegiance Health, where frontline workers are there around the clock to care for those battling COVID-19....

Jackson City Council April 14, 2020 meeting

The Jackson City Council held its third virtual meeting during the COVID-19 crisis. Here are a few highlights from their meeting on Tuesday, April 14.

-The council formally accepted the resignation of Fifth Ward Councilmember Kelsey Heck. The City Charter ...

City of Jackson receiving $700,000 from federal government for COVID-19 response

The City of Jackson’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic just got a big boost from the federal government. $756,020 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) is on its way to help fund Jackson’s emergency response.

Cities in Michigan ...

Jackson unites to meet community needs during COVID-19 pandemic

The Jackson community is coming together to respond to the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).   Following the Local State of Emergency declaration from Mayor Derek Dobies on March 17, a section of Jackson County’s emergency response was...

City of Jackson and Summit Township firefighters join forces to fight Coronavirus

Local firefighters are now fighting a different common enemy: Coronavirus. On March 25, the Summit/Jackson Professional Firefighters Union entered into a special operating agreement with the City of Jackson to respond to the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-1...

City responds to Governor's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order

The City of Jackson continues to respond to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts on the community. Following Gov. Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order on Monday, March 23, City leaders have been taking leadership and making decisions...

City Council votes to extend Local State of Emergency

Preparing for wicked winter weather: How to help DPW crews keep roads safe this winter season

When harsh snow and ice strike, crews from the City of Jackson Department of Public Works (DPW) are out in salt and plow trucks helping to make sure streets are safe to use. 

Bob Stolarz is a DPW worker who’s been battling winter weather...