CANTON – On the southwest side of the city, where Baxter Elementary once stood, an empty lot is expected to get new life.
Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio will collaborate with the city of Canton on an affordable housing development, fittingly named, Baxter Landing.
The project at 3386 13th Street SW is still in its early stages, with design concepts, funding specifics and a project timeline yet to be determined.
Habitat CEO Beth Lechner said the organization will build 16 single-family homes on the site, with different styles, including ranches and two-story homes. Habitat will seek sponsors for each home build.
When complete, Baxter Landing would be the organization’s first neighborhood. The nonprofit has previously built clusters of four or five houses, with most projects standing alone.
“To have all those houses going at the same time and to have all those people working together, talk about a sense of community,” she said.
The first step of the project will involve updating infrastructure, including water and sewer, at the site. Then, Lechner said, Habitat will step in and begin construction, with hopes of fall 2028 completion.
Canton, Stark needs more housing
A 2024 countywide study revealed there are not enough housing units in Stark County, and low-income residents are being priced out of the market.
Lechner said the problem is only getting worse and that solving the issue will take community collaboration.
“For us, Baxter Landing is a bold step forward in that effort,” she said.
Mayor William V. Sherer II said to continue economic development efforts that grow Canton, housing is an essential part of the conversation. A workforce needs housing.
Currently, 35% of Habitat applicants for housing are employed in health care, 26% manufacturing and 11% in education.
“We need to have those people in our community,” Lechner said. “We don’t want to lose our workforce.”
She said the cost of homes are outrunning wages, making it more difficult to purchase a home.
Because of that, Habitat hopes to expand its reach. The organization previously worked with families making 30% to 80% of Stark County’s median income, Lechner said. With the addition of Baxter Landing, it will expand to prospective homeowners making 100% of the median income.
Stark County’s median household income is $69,000, according to the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
“They make too much to qualify for most assistance and too little to buy in today’s market,” she said.
Ward 5 Councilman Rob Fisher said for him, the Habitat housing development is just the right fit for the area.
“This has always been a project I wanted to do because I would love to start drawing more people back to the southwest end of Canton,” he said.
Fisher said he is excited to fill the vacant lot, hoping to deter unwanted activity. He hopes Baxter Landing can inspire other neighbors to make improvements to their own properties, all while addressing a need for housing.
“The people in my ward mention from time to time say, ‘We need new housing,’” he said. “Some of the houses are really old and outdated here.”
Canton has also posted additional proposal requests for housing developments on city-owned former school sites at 2100 38th St. NW, an annexed former Plain Local Schools site, and 1220 Ninth St. NE, the former site of Canton’s Washington Elementary.
A tentative land swap agreement between Canton and the Canton City School District would make way for similar opportunities, giving the city five school properties.
The history of the Baxter property
Baxter Elementary was built in 1928 and closed in 2004 due to declining enrollment and proximity to other schools. The building was temporarily used for an alternative learning program, the Canton Academy. After that program left, it became storage for the school district,
Eventually, the building was tore down in 2022, leaving a 2.5 acre vacant lot.
In 2024, Canton City Council agreed to a land swap with the school district. The city got 15 vacant properties, including the Baxter lot, in exchange for two parcels that make up Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium.
The city asked developers to submit proposals for the Baxter property starting in February, before picking Habitat for the project in May.
Sherer said the effort and collaboration with Habitat are part of the city’s push for additional housing, something he hopes will improve neighborhoods and expand Canton.
Canton City Council is considering legislation to transfer the property to Habitat and approve $550,000 for support infrastructure and contracts.
“It’s going to be a great fit for that neighborhood,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that.”
For more information, contact Habitat for Humanity at 330-915-5888.
Contact Abreanna Blose by email at ablose@usatodayco.com or by phone at 330-580-8513.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Habitat housing development planned where Baxter Elementary once stood in Canton
Reporting by Abreanna Blose, Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Abreanna Blose, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
