What is CONNECT JXN?
CONNECT JXN is a project that provides an opportunity for Jackson residents to participate in the development of the city’s next comprehensive plan. The public engagement process is designed to uncover what stakeholders want for their future community, which will help to inform how we get there. CONNECT JXN will produce a comprehensive plan that not only looks toward the future, yet is economically and fiscally implementable now.
Why CONNECT JXN?
Jackson is a city in transition. Years of neglect and divestment have led to blighted neighborhoods, underperforming schools and a crime rate comparable to other urban cities. The departure of several companies from the City of Jackson has furthered this dismal outlook.
Despite these factors, Jackson remains a jewel in Mississippi and the South. Jackson is home to several colleges and universities, has vibrant entertainment and restaurant options, and remains a vital tourist attraction as home to the Civil Rights Museum and other significant historical monuments. CONNECT JXN will help remind residents of Jackson’s jewels and foster a new vision and direction that will guide the future actions of the city.
How Will CONNECT JXN Function?
The approach to accomplishing the project goals will be scientifically grounded in the community-based participatory research (CBPR) model. CBPR perfectly aligns with One Voice’s civic engagement model by focusing on community relationships as a vital component in developing community informed solutions.
Neighborhoods within the city’s seven (7) wards will be targeted with a goal of receiving responses from a minimum of 5% from each municipal ward, which will include a representative demographic sample in each ward to ensure that all Jackson residents have a voice in the city’s comprehensive plan.
Through its community engagement process, One Voice, in partnership with Central Mississippi Planning and Development District, Jackson State University Mississippi Urban Research Center, and the City of Jackson Planning and Development Department, will utilize data collection tools including structured interview questions (to be used for community conversations and focus groups) and survey to gather community input from a diverse cross-section of Jackson residents, community leaders, and business owners. The survey instrument will be available online to support broad participation in the community engagement process, and in paper form for select audiences.
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A comprehensive plan typically reviews the current status of a community, identifies important problems and opportunities and then sets forth the community's goals and development objectives.
Why is a Comprehensive Plan Important?
A comprehensive plan is important because it is the basis for policy decisions on land use and zoning as well as improvements to transportation and other public facilities.
Why is it Important I Participate?
Citizen and stakeholder input is extremely important to the planning process to ensure that the comprehensive plan truly carries forth the communities goals and vision for the future.
What Improvements to My Community Can I Expect?
Planning results are not immediate. However, over time communities do benefit and see results from good planning including better housing choices, improved transportation options and better infrastructure.
Will This Affect My Voting Precinct? School District? Police Precinct?
Comprehensive plans consider the entire community; however, a comprehensive plan does not directly impact the location of your voting precinct, school district, or police precinct.
How Will It Benefit the City of Jackson?
Developers, real estate investors, and government officials prefer to invest their money in communities with a clear, up-to-date plan for land development and growth. CONNECT JXN will provide this plan. Additionally, MississippiCode requires a local government to base all zoning and other land development regulations on an adopted comprehensive plan.
Who is involved in producing a comprehensive plan?
The City Council hired the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District to lead the CONNECT JXN project. Other partners include One Voice Mississippi, Inc., Jackson State University Mississippi Urban Research Center and the City of Jackson Planning Commission. Residents, property owners, business owners, and other interested parties are invited to participate through the community engagement process as well.
After the Plan is Developed, Can it be Changed?
CONNECT JXN may be amended by the City Council at the recommendation of the Jackson Planning Commission in the future, if necessary.
What Street or Road Improvements are Planned Near My Property or Community?
As the Plan is developed, public viewing and comment periods will be held to provide residents, property owners, business owners, and others to preview the planning improvements prior to adoption. If you have a suggestion or concern, please email the project team by visiting the Connect With Us tab.
What is the Timeline for Planning the Comprehensive Plan?
Connect JXN has wrapped up the online public survey component of the community engagement process. As we move on to Phase II, Connect JXN will host a series of in-person engagement activities across the city during the Summer of 2021 for public review and comment. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for meeting updates.
Are Funds Attached to the Plan?
There are no funds directly to the plan. However, many grants require a local government document that the proposed project is listed in an adopted plan.
Once the Plan is Created, How Will the Public Be Notified?
In addition to required notices in local newspapers, the planning team will share draft information through local media, on the City's website, and on the CONNECT JXN website. The best way to stay informed about the plan is to sign up for CONNECT JXN notifications by visiting the Connect With Us Tab.
