Crossville city council is throwing its support behind a second proposed retail development, this one expected to be located at Old Jamestown Highway and Interstate Drive.
The council held a work session and met with Fredrick Hand IV earlier this month to hear about the development and assistance they are requesting from the city.
Crossville City Council Work Session Discussion
At the special called meeting October 24, the council discussed widening about 1100 feet of Old Jamestown Highway behind the current Walmart location that has been requested by the developer, Hand Properties, Inc. City engineer Tim Begley put together cost estimates on the project and came up with a figure of about $860,000 for the road work in contracted and a traffic signal at the intersection.
Begley said that was a worst-case scenario cost and if the city could get the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to put in the traffic signal and the city crews to do the work on the road the cost could drop to around $300,000. Begley said it would depend on how quickly the developer might need the work completed but he wanted the council to know what the cost of the project could be.
The improvements would include three lanes where there are currently only two with a turn lane for the full 1100 feet, curb, sidewalk, utility relocation, drainage and, engineering. If the traffic light cost is not covered by TDOT, that is estimated to cost $270,000. The developer would be expected to donate any necessary right of way and easements.
Crossville Mayor James Mayberry made a motion to approve a budget amendment of no more than $900,000 to cover the costs and a bit of cushion.
Councilman J. H. Graham commented, “You are sending a very strong message to developers about doing infrastructure to support these type of developments.”
Council member Pamala Harris added, “It is what the citizens want.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Also under the agenda item on retail development, city attorney Will Ridley said that the negotiations with the other development on 127-N were moving along and the city would need to work with the County Mayor and the Commission to move forward with the proposed Tax Increment Financing or TIF program. According to Ridley, it will require the cooperation of the County for the project and in addition, the Industrial Development Board would also have to work with the city on the project.
I only have two questions. What kind of wages will the businesses using it pay and are they union shops? That's it.
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