Harlinsdale park work finally begins

Work on Harlinsdale park finally begins
The Tennessean • July 9, 2008
FRANKLIN — The ponies and earthmovers are now running neck and neck — so to speak — at Harlinsdale Farm.
After months of sitting fallow, development of The Park at Harlinsdale Farm is now in earnest as crews are completing a $2.3 million project to install a new access road and parking areas.
Purchased for $8 million in 2004, the 200-acre park facing Franklin Road is now moving closer to opening permanently to the public. City Parks Director Lisa Clayton said the public would be able to begin using the park again next spring.
"We're moving right along," Clayton said. "I'm ready to have a parking area, I'm ready for people to be on the property and I'm ready for people to be using it."
But this construction is only the latest part of the project that will likely take years to complete. The cost of this current phase increased by $839,080 from $1.51 million to $2.35 million.
For now, Clayton is beaming about the current work. Crews are uprooting the green pastureland — for the time being — to grade the former grass to install the new roadway as well as underground water and sewer utilities.
Rest assured, she said, that the farm's horses are not in danger of being hurt by any of the machinery.
But the crews are taking "green" construction measures, using a pervious concrete that allows water to flow through it, unlike traditional asphalt, she said. And storm water will flow toward the Harpeth River and a new retention pond that's being installed on the rear of the property near the city's wastewater treatment plant.
"We'll constantly have water in (the pond), and that will serve as irrigation," Clayton said.
Questions linger
Though the new road and parking areas are changing the farm's look, Clayton said the farm's barn isn't going anywhere, though its condition has been a source of concern. It has been considered for possible use as the park's visitors center.
"The reason the city bought it was to preserve it. We're not going to demolish any building," she said.
Built in 1935, the two-story barn is the farm's horse stable and would be the park's centerpiece, able to accommodate tours while continuing as a walking-horse stable.
However, the structure is not up to fire codes, needs roof work and has termite damage, among other problems.
Clayton wants $100,000 from the city to replace the barn's roof, but she may have to wait for the funding. Last month, aldermen voted 5-1 to wait to approve $1.6 million for installing new restroom facilities at the park until they could discuss all the city's capital improvement projects.
Alderman Dan Klatt was the only alderman who voted against deferring the project, saying it was not "reasonable or fair" to ask construction crews to wait until later this summer to start.
Alderman Ann Petersen, who led the motion to defer, said she wants the work deferred to part of the larger discussion about all the city's capital projects.
Meanwhile, construction at the former walking-horse breeding operation has drawn attention from passersby concerned about the effect on the land.
"I had a resident call me and she said, 'You're really disturbing the property,' " Clayton said. "We sure are. But you're seeing more of the top of the grass pasture come off first because we've had to put in new utilities. . . . All of that will be pastureland again."

Save the Franklin Theatre has a focus group

Save the Franklin Theatre focus groups set
The Tennessean, July 9, 2008
FRANKLIN -- Preservation advocates hope to attract people with interest or expertise in music, film, entertainment, lighting, sound, event planning and catering, along with potential users or audience groups, to a series of community meetings charting the direction of the Franklin Theatre reuse effort. “We want all interested citizens to share their thoughts and ideas so that the Franklin Theatre project can embrace community input to make the Franklin Theatre the best it can be,” said David Garrett, president of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County.
All meetings will be held in the Franklin City Hall Boardroom. The first, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on July 23, will focus on the stage: the lighting, sound, seating, screen projection and design.Event and catering, bar and food service professionals, are being sought for the second session, 10 to 11:30 a.m. on July 29, which will focus on food service options.From 1:30 to 3 p.m. that same day, companies interested in making in-kind contributions to the project will be heard. Dovetail Design Works, Lee Company, ADS Security and others already have stepped forward.
From 5 to 6:30 p.m. on July 30, experts from Hastings Architecture Associates and members of the Save the Franklin Theatre Steering Committee will be fielding suggestions to determine what type of programs and films potential patrons would like to see at the Franklin Theatre.
No reservations are required for the meetings but anyone who has questions can call Damon Rogers at 591-8500 ext 11 or Mary Pearce at ext 15. Pearce said the fundraising effort is half way to its $7 million goal."The next three and half million will come from everyone reaching into their pockets and contributing, large, small or in-kind, toward the goal of saving this beloved landmark," Pearce said.

Green Hills - Ten Thousand Villages area to expand

Ten Thousand Villages plans to expand
The Tennessean• July 9, 2008
With the planned renovation and construction at Hillsboro Plaza slated to begin later this year, Ten Thousand Villages has no desire to relocate.
In fact, with renewed lease in hand, officials are in the process of drawing up some plans of their own. According to store manager Lisa Pierce, a Green Hills resident, the store hopes to expand.
"We want to be able to offer more of a selection," Pierce said. "Although we are still very early in the planning stages, we are very excited about some of the ideas being discussed for the project." Although it is one of 150 nationwide, the Green Hills store is the only Ten Thousand Villages in Tennessee.
"This store is unique to the Nashville market," Pierce said. "Jewelry and personal accessories are our top departments, but we have everything from home décor to musical instruments."
Change is coming David Crabtree, executive vice president of Brookside Properties, says the corner of Hillsboro Road and Richard Jones Road will change dramatically to a pedestrian-friendly, accessible, connected, highly landscaped, mixed-use development called Greenbrier Village of Green Hills.
The property will look significantly different by the end of 2009, and the project will be completed in 2011, he said.
Crabtree has been renewing leases for some of the current tenants, including Donut Den and Levy's. He has also spoken to some of the retailers to be displaced about moving to another part of the property once the construction is completed, but it's not clear who's staying and who's going.
The building housing Donut Den, which also houses Ten Thousand Villages, will be completely renovated, Crabtree said.
Some buildings are scheduled to be torn down, and construction will start in the fall for renovations to Green Hills Office Park, 2002 Richard Jones.
For Ten Thousand Villages, the changes are coming on the heels of an international award.
The company was recognized last month as one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by The Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine.

Spring Hill hopes to have a new Main Street Farmers Market

Main Street market may open bimonthly through September
The Tennessean• July 2, 2008

SPRING HILL — A few shopkeepers hope some fresh produce will lure some fresh faces downtown.
Owners at Utopia Coffee and sign shop What's Your Sign are looking for area farmers to help them start Hardin Alley Farmers Market in their parking lot on Main Street.
"We have a prime spot for something like this," said Utopia Coffee's Christine Leininger, who is teaming with April Caldwell. "And with gas prices, people wouldn't have to drive to Franklin or Columbia to go to the farmers markets there."
The two business owners have applied for a city business permit for the market and are trying to line up additional parking, per a request from city officials.
They've already talked to some farmers and are looking for others who will want to participate. Leininger said it's something they'd like to offer twice monthly through September.
"I'm excited about it," she said. "And hopefully it will add something to Spring Hill and generate more shopping in the downtown (area)."

New company expected for Cool Springs

Franklin aldermen spend $60,000 to bring new company to Cool Springs
The Tennessean • July 9, 2008

FRANKLIN — Franklin aldermen did their part Tuesday night to bring in a yet-to-be-named financial company and an estimated 500 new jobs for Cool Springs.
Aldermen voted 8-0 to spend $60,000 to help get the project moving forward. While specific details are being kept under wraps, the company would open a customer service center here, spending approximately $11 million, if they agree to come.
An announcement about the company’s commitment and the project is expected soon.
“We think we’ll know within a week,” said Russ Truell, interim city administrator.
An announcement about the company’s commitment and the project is expected soon.“We think we’ll know within a week,” said Russ Truell, interim city administrator.

Monroe Harding 20 acre tract is on the market

20-acre Green Hills site up for sale for development
Some neighbors concerned about future of land owned by nonprofit Monroe Harding
The Tennessean • July 2, 2008
Green Hills-based Monroe Harding, Inc., a local non-profit serving at-risk youth, has placed about 20 undeveloped acres of its 30-acre campus up for sale in an effort to further its mission.
"Our goals, decisions and actions are all guided by the desire to provide the best services and programs possible to the communities we service, especially the youth," said Patty Harman, president and CEO of Monroe Harding Inc.
The land, located at the corner of Glendale Lane and Scenic Drive, was placed on the real estate market last month by CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (CBRE).
"This is a scary time for us and those who live near us who are all accustomed to the large open green space," Harman said. "We all need to continue to pray for the guidance to work through this transition."
Harman said Monroe Harding would insist that the development of the land fit in with the current community, but the pending sale has some neighbors worried.
Ronna Rubin has lived near Monroe Harding for more than 20 years.
"To say that this is a neighborhood nightmare doesn't even come close," Rubin said. "This is the largest piece of untouched green space remaining in Green Hills. For CEO Patty Hartman to say . . . that 'the development must be compatible to the neighborhood' is a laugh. So they plan on constructing 60-year-old single-story ranch and Cape Cod homes? Right."
Monroe Harding wants to know plans, too
Rubin also cites existing traffic issues along Glendale Lane during rush hours as a potential future problem with development as well as the location of the land.
"I'm thinking that folks in the market for a brand new $1 million home might not be too keen on having . . . at-risk youth in their back yard," she said.
The community surrounding the site features diverse residential units, varying from multi-family to large-lot and estate suburban development. The land is currently zoned for residential development, suitable for low-medium density residential, requiring a minimum 20,000-square-foot lot and is intended for single- and two-family dwellings. About 7.5 of the 20 acres are in a flood plain and cannot be developed, which means the land will yield about 25 lots.
"We are not doing anything to change the zoning," Harman said. "As the biggest neighbor to this property, we do not want retail placed there. It is one of our biggest criteria for the sale. We want to know exactly what the buyer plans to do with the property."
So far, Harman said she hasn't seen any proposals for the property. She said, depending on the interest, the property size could remain at about 20 acres or be lowered to about 16 acres.
Land should be high in demand
The land is close to Lipscomb University and within short traveling distance to the recently completed Hill Center at Green Hills and The Mall at Green Hills, two high-end shopping destinations.
"This is a very rare opportunity to purchase acreage of this size in the Green Hills community," said Douglass Johnson, senior vice president, who, along with Morgan Hillenmeyer, an associate with the Nashville Private Client Group of CBRE, will handle the sale for Monroe Harding.
"There are very few undeveloped sites remaining in this extremely desirable area of Nashville."
Hillenmeyer added, "We anticipate that this highly desirable property will attract local and national interest."
Monroe Harding was founded in 1893 and has been located at its present Green Hills location, 1120 Glendale Lane, since 1934. It was established to provide a home for orphaned children. Throughout the years, Monroe Harding has served more than 13,000 youths. The current programs not only provide a home for youth as well as growth in education, vocation, life skills and relationship building.

Home History Workshop

Workshop teaches how to research house's history
The Metropolitan Government Archives of Nashville and Davidson County will offer a house genealogy workshop 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Metro Archives, 3801 Green Hills Village Drive.
Guided by an archivist, budding "history detectives" will learn how to trace the history of a house, previous residents and the property on which it is located with maps, plat books, deed books, title abstracts and other materials housed at the archives.
A registration fee of $5 covers handouts and photocopies. To register, call 862-5880 or visit online at www.library.nashville.org.

Williamson County June Home Sales are Surprising

Click to enlarge

New apartment complex in Franklin is well underway

'Dwell' takes shape in McEwen center
New apartment development hopes to capitalize on influx of workers
The Tennessean• July 8, 2008

FRANKLIN — Development on Williamson County's first apartment community in 10 years is under way in Cool Springs just off the McEwen interchange on I-65.
The 10-acre development, to be known as Dwell, will include 14 apartment buildings and 258 upscale units in the middle of Southern Land Company's mixed-use McEwen development.
Southern Land Company officials credit booming growth in Franklin and the surrounding area for its plans to build the company's first multi-family rental units.
During the next four years, nearly 6,000 new people will call Franklin home, bringing the population to 58,306, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A large portion of that number will come from the influx of 2,600 workers that Nissan and Verizon Wireless plan to bring with their new Franklin headquarters.
Michael McNally, Southern Land Co. senior project manager, says Dwell will court those employees specifically to the development, where one-, two- and three-bedroom units will average 1,100 square feet and will rent for $950 to $2,200 per unit.
Although Dwell at McEwen isn't slated to be complete until December, McNally says the company already is being inundated with calls from interested renters. Southern Land Co. will begin leasing Aug. 1.
Franklin alderman-at-large Clyde Barnhill says apartments are exactly what the market is calling for as new residents enter the area.
"We've got to provide a variety of housing opportunities, and the apartments are one of those," he said.
Although Dwell at McEwen is the first apartment community to be built in 10 years, more are down the pike. Planning director Jaime Groce said two other apartment projects have been approved since 2004.
McEwen's prime location, along Mallory Lane at the intersection of McEwen Lane in the middle of retail mecca Cool Springs, is one of its main draws, according to Jim Cheney, spokesman for Southern Land Company.
But the project is designed so that Dwell residents won't have to leave the development for shopping and dining options. The 93-acre McEwen development will include a six-floor, 190,000-square-foot building filled with retail, restaurants and office space.
The town center is expected to finish in January 2010.
Other Dwell amenities will include a saltwater pool and cabana, hot tub, private courtyard areas, fitness center, yoga and Pilates center, and an outdoor teaching kitchen designed for residential cooking classes or personal cooking.
Inside, the units will be fitted with 10-foot ceilings, granite countertops, gourmet kitchen islands and designer brushed nickel plumbing and light fixtures.
"It will have a very urban feel," McNally said.

Spring Hill moves forward with property tax

Taxes allow great cities to flourish
The Tennessean, July 3, 2008
So Spring Hill has a property tax again. Good for Spring Hill.
Somewhere along the lines, the city made the mistake of thinking that its golden goose would always lay eggs. That regardless of economy and build-out, Spring Hill would always have enough growth to constitute eliminating taxes for the very people causing all the growth.
It apparently never occurred to anyone — OK, it occurred to some, including Alderman Eliot Mitchell — that all those people would one day expect a decent offering of services.
Sidewalks. Parks. Recreation. Decent roads. Pretty, clean surroundings.
In other words, all the things that drive people to Williamson County in the first place.
Together, we are a community that mostly shuns "big government," but it's not because we're necessarily opposed to taxes. It's the federal income tax that tends to turn us off. Many of us object to the ways our money is spent, on things we don't necessarily prioritize politically.
But a lot of people — politicians, journalists, bloggers, etc. — assume that means we're flat out opposed to any sort of tax.
That isn't the case. While there are a fair number of folks who do object to any tax at any time, as a general rule we're OK with spending money in our own communities.
We want them to look nice, with quality amenities and good schools, because we care about our quality of life, our children's education and our own personal property values.
How many people move to Spring Hill because there's no property tax? I dare say none. How many people move to Spring Hill because they want their kids to be in Williamson County schools? That's a much bigger number.
Another number I'd be interested to know is how many people who live in Spring Hill would rather live in Franklin. When I lived there, I certainly did. Even though the taxes were much higher. Maybe even because of it.
What we get for our money in Franklin is lovely surroundings, terrific recreation opportunities, good roads with convenient connectivity, and the retail options that abound in a city willing to spend money on economic recruitment.
I know some folks in Spring Hill are furious that the city has reinstituted its property tax. But you know what? I imagine that tax — if administered correctly and spent wisely — will ultimately pay off in an increase in property value.
And maybe Spring Hill will one day be a destination because of what it has instead of what it doesn't have.