Lions Club Park land sold, to be developed as Hillman Commons

By Clinton Courier | December 28, 2017 |

In a move that will see a major new multi-unit loft/retail development in Olde Towne Clinton, the property that has been leased as the Hillman-Berry Lions Club Park for sixty years has been sold by Mississippi College to an Oxford developer.

The new development, which will feature between ninety and ninety-five one- and two-bedroom type lofts with 4,600 square feet of retail space, will be known as Hillman Commons, retaining part of a family name that is important in the College’s history.

The project is being developed and built by Chartre Consulting, Ltd, established in 2003 in Oxford; sole owner of the company is Clarence Chapman. David Kelly, who oversees land acquisitions, planning and design of Chartre projects, estimates the company’s investment at between $18-23 million for Hillman Commons.

Kelly spoke at the regular December meeting of Clinton’s Board of Aldermen, outlining the basics of the project, which has been under consideration for two and a half to three years. Kelly categorized the development as “mixed use,” blending the components of a walkable lifestyle, with accompanying retail options wherein residents live and can comfortably walk for dining and shopping within the Olde Towne area.

“We have been in talks with Mississippi College and the City about coming to Clinton for some time,” he said. “The idea was first presented to our company by Jackson businessman and long-time Mississippi College supporter Leland Speed. We have great respect for Leland’s business acumen. When he suggested we look at developing something in Clinton, we began that process.”

“We spent six to eight months developing the concept, with the help of noted Jackson architect David Trigiani,” he continued. “We wanted an appropriate look that would feel like a part of Olde Towne and the area next to the train tracks and the new Depot. Think of an old manufacturing district, like the Warehouse District of New Orleans. We’ll have three stories of brick, with the top story being stucco.”

“With random balconies and canopies, the building will look as if it developed over time, as the city itself developed.”

Chartre conducted a marketing study and is confident the loft-style units will be an attractive addition to housing options in Clinton.

“We’re comfortable in analyzing the need for this type housing for graduate and professional students at MC, as well as city residents who desire an urban type of lifestyle walkability in a small-town atmosphere,” maintained Kelly. “We’re very conscious of current market trends in terms of the College, as well as those of young couples and empty-nesters.”

Chartre has completed developments in Cleveland, Mississippi, and an 88-unit townhome project in the Farish Street Historic District of Jackson, which recently won recognition at the National Association of Home Builders International Show. Kelly said the company develops “affordable housing communities” as well as market-rate housing. In June of this year, Chartre purchased parcels of land to build fifty Charleston-style two-story townhomes in Chapman’s hometown of Meridian.

Kelly categorized the lofts at Hillman Commons as “high end,” with all the amenities residents now want: crown molding, granite countertops, undermount sinks and top-quality appliance packages. One-bedroom units will be 1,100 to 1,200 square feet, and two-bedrooms will be 1,500 square feet. The complex will feature a swimming pool, workout facilities and a common area for residents.

Parking will be figured at one parking space per bedroom, with thirty to forty on-street spaces not dedicated to retail. Another fifty-plus spaces are to be configured for overflow parking.

Kelly consistently touts the convenience of walkability in the Olde Towne area.

“Clinton is like Oxford, in the way both cities are configured and structured. They are highly walkable. What we’re building will be good for us and good for the community.”

Depending on which financing option the company chooses, “weighing terms and benefits,” according to Kelly, construction could begin in the spring, with dirt being moved in March or May. As a demonstration of its commitment to Clinton and this particular project, Chartre is contributing to the construction of a new Lions Club park on property the College owns right across Leake Street adjacent to the new Depot.

Along with one individual, Mississippi College, and the City, Chartre has designated a “significant amount” to see that the Lions Club Park is re-constructed and remains a valuable part of the Olde Towne area.

“We’ll be moving dirt to construct Hillman Commons,” remarked Kelly, “so we’ll be able to tie-in our efforts to help build a new Hillman-Berry Lions Club Park, as well.”

Alderman Mike Cashion is fully supportive of the project and what it can add to Clinton. “In order for Olde Towne and Clinton in general to grow, we have to increase population mass. We can’t develop retail without the population to support it. This type development is exactly what Clinton needs and should have.”

Kelly says Hillman Commons could be just the first phase of what Chartre will do in Clinton.

“We’ll be looking for other projects to develop. Clinton has a home-town feel that is unique, and we are just delighted to be a part of a community with such highly respected educational systems. There is a definite sense of community; we want to grow with the community and be good ambassadors for it.”