JACKSON, Mich. — A Jackson church is getting hit with a big bill to help pay for a road project.
Greenwood Avenue is in desperate need of repairs and the City of Jackson has a plans to make the ride smoother, but the improvement is going to come with a price.
“Greenwood Avenue is going to be resurfaced and then also around Austin Blair Park there's going to be a traffic circle,” said Jackson Public Information Officer Aaron Dimick.
The cost for the $2 million project will be split "60-40” between the City of Jackson and property owners in the latest round of special assessments.
“If you're a business, a non-profit, a homeowner, if you don’t launch a formal complaint with the city before the city council confirms a special assessment then you’re not really left with any other choice,” Dimick explained.
“You will end up paying that assessment.”
Although Kingdom Life Ministries is tax-exempt the church is not excused from pitching in on the project.
According to Jackson city accessor records the property is being slammed with a $14,000 bill.
“On Greenwood Avenue the assessment period will be 10 years,” Dimick said.
“You know this is not something that we want to do. We don’t want to add extra taxes on people but this is something we have to do to improve our roads. This is the only tool we have right now.”
Pastor Fred Parker of Kingdom Life Ministries told Fox 47's Cryss Walker money raised by the church is used to execute their mission in the community and that the special assessment will have an impact on the church's finances.
Parker also says he plans to meet with city officials to discuss the issue.
The Jackson Community Food Pantry property owner is also required to pay more than $13,000 for the road project.
We reached out to the director for comment. We're still waiting to hear back.
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