Join the parade, or maybe two
THE TENNESSEAN
In Franklin, the annual Christmas parade is a traditional favorite.
In Spring Hill, more than 20 groups have signed up to be part of that city's very first Christmas parade.
And in the small towns around the county, plans are under way to welcome in the holiday season with bands, floats, horses and, of, course, Santa.
The Cool Springs Kiwanis Club is sponsoring Franklin's parade, planned for 2 p.m. Dec. 6 through the heart of the downtown area. The theme for this year's holiday event is "Santa's Toyland."
Those individuals, organizations and businesses that want to take part should call Gary Luffman at 615-794-7012 or e-mail GaryL@FranklinTn.gov. For parade rules, routes and a mail-in registration form, visit www.coolspringskiwanis.com.
In Spring Hill, groups interested must contact Kevin Fischer, the city's parks and recreation director, by Friday to participate in the Dec. 6 parade. To get involved, call the department at 931-487-0027 or e-mail kfischer@springhilltn.org.
"It's really snowballing," said Fischer, who planned the event not knowing who, if anybody, would sign up.
The Spring Hill parade begins at 5 p.m., so if you time it right you can hit two in one day.
Look to the Review Appeal, Williamson A.M. and The Tennessean for details on other upcoming holiday parades and events. A special Williamson County Christmas section will be published Dec. 7, just before the annual Dickens of a Christmas festival.
News, interests, info and tips about the Real Estate Market in Middle Tennessee. Our Focus is the Nashville area, both Williamson and Davidson County and the surrounding areas of Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, Hendersonville, Leipers Fork, Belle Meade, Nolensville, the Cool Springs area and the Vanderbilt area
November 20, 2008
Site Selection: Tennessee ranks near top for biz climate
Nashville Business Journal
Tennessee has been ranked the second-best place in the country to do business by Site Selection magazine.
The economic development publication’s rankings appear in the magazine’s November issue. The ranking is Tennessee’s highest ever. Last year the Volunteer State was ranked sixth.
North Carolina topped the list at No. 1 and Alabama and Texas tied for third. Indiana ranked fifth.
The annual business climate rankings are determined 50 percent by the state’s economic performance in Conway Data’s New Plant Database, which tracks new and expanded business facility activity. The other half of the rankings are determined from surveys of corporate site selectors nationwide.
Nashville Business Journal
Tennessee has been ranked the second-best place in the country to do business by Site Selection magazine.
The economic development publication’s rankings appear in the magazine’s November issue. The ranking is Tennessee’s highest ever. Last year the Volunteer State was ranked sixth.
North Carolina topped the list at No. 1 and Alabama and Texas tied for third. Indiana ranked fifth.
The annual business climate rankings are determined 50 percent by the state’s economic performance in Conway Data’s New Plant Database, which tracks new and expanded business facility activity. The other half of the rankings are determined from surveys of corporate site selectors nationwide.
French country mixed with classic style units coming to Williamson County
$19M Cool Springs luxury condo project underway
Nashville Business Journal
A $19 million luxury condominium development in Cool Springs has broken ground.
The contractor for the $19 million Residences at Grant Park is The Conseco Group. The project's being financed by Renasant Bank.
Khris Pascarella, principal for Pearl Street Partners, says 50 percent of the projects first phase, which includes 21 units, are sold and work has begun on the first three residential buildings designed in a French country and classical style.
Phase I also includes a private, resort-style pool and clubhouse with a cyber-café and state-of-the-art workout facility, Pascarella says.
The units range from the mid-$200,000s to $400,000s.
The clubhouse will offer a community gathering space, a fitness center and whirlpool spa.
The Residences of Grant Park are surrounded by green spaces in a park-like setting while and within walking distance of McEwen Place Town Center.
Units include granite kitchen countertops, custom cabinets, and a built-in computer niche.
The first homeowners are expected to take move in in spring 2009. The community will have 51 condos and all and is slated for completion in 2010.
Nashville Business Journal
A $19 million luxury condominium development in Cool Springs has broken ground.
The contractor for the $19 million Residences at Grant Park is The Conseco Group. The project's being financed by Renasant Bank.
Khris Pascarella, principal for Pearl Street Partners, says 50 percent of the projects first phase, which includes 21 units, are sold and work has begun on the first three residential buildings designed in a French country and classical style.
Phase I also includes a private, resort-style pool and clubhouse with a cyber-café and state-of-the-art workout facility, Pascarella says.
The units range from the mid-$200,000s to $400,000s.
The clubhouse will offer a community gathering space, a fitness center and whirlpool spa.
The Residences of Grant Park are surrounded by green spaces in a park-like setting while and within walking distance of McEwen Place Town Center.
Units include granite kitchen countertops, custom cabinets, and a built-in computer niche.
The first homeowners are expected to take move in in spring 2009. The community will have 51 condos and all and is slated for completion in 2010.
November 19, 2008
New Franklin sewer plant
Franklin sewer plant would be unique in state
THE TENNESSEAN • November 19, 2008
FRANKLIN — A "zero-discharge" sewer plant that will one day serve thousands of homes and businesses in south Franklin's Goose Creek area is expected to be the largest and most expensive public works project in city history.
While no costs have been set, the 400 million-gallon facility could ultimately cost in excess of $80 million, take years to build and require the cooperation of city and state environmental regulators along the way. When complete, it would be unlike any other plant in the state.
That kind of importance has drawn added scrutiny from Mayor John Schroer and city aldermen.
Instead of accepting a committee's pick for the consulting firm to handle the project last month as expected, Schroer and city aldermen changed course and asked to have the top three design firms make their pitches for the project again, this time to all the city aldermen.
"If we're going to make that big of a decision, I felt like it was good to listen to all those proposals," Schroer said.
Proposals from the top three design firms are scheduled to be heard next week.
Getting the land needed for the project took months and cost millions. Yet the challenges for engineers to build what could be a 400 million-gallon zero-discharge sewer plant on 188 acres near the Goose Creek bypass will be even more formidable.
A zero-discharge plant requires that the treated wastewater effluent not be released into a river or stream like a traditional sewer plant. In this case, the stream that effluent would not enter is the environmentally fragile Harpeth River, which has had its share of troubles over the years.
State Department of Environment and Conservation spokeswoman Meg Lockhart said top state and city officials have had several discussions about the wastewater project.
When completed, Franklin's zero-discharge plant would be unlike any other in the state.
"We've been told that we will work with (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) and all the powers that be, and we will be writing the regulations as we go along," Schroer said.
However, Lockhart said state officials don't expect to need new regulations but, instead, will give Franklin a special permit for the plant.
Work could take 2 years
Permits for a nondischarging system will vary from system to system, because all are site specific, Lockhart noted.
Franklin's system will be unique to others that are planned or operating in the state.
Murfreesboro has bought land for wastewater disposal, while the town of Spencer's reclaimed water will infiltrates into groundwater.
"Zero-discharge systems differ from discharging systems only in the method by which they dispose of the treated water," Lockhart said. "It's what is done to the finished water that is different."
Completing the work will be another long-range project for Franklin.
Schroer estimated the first phase would cost $20 million, with three other similar phases rounding out the work.
All told, the work could take two years, with construction possibly starting in 2010 or 2011, city Engineering Director Eric Gardner said.
But the project remains on hold for the time being. Schroer and the other city aldermen delayed in October approving a recommendation to possibly build the new plant in favor of personally hearing presentations from the top three consultants vying for the job.
To read this entire article visit: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081119/COUNTY09/811190459/1164/COUNTY09
THE TENNESSEAN • November 19, 2008
FRANKLIN — A "zero-discharge" sewer plant that will one day serve thousands of homes and businesses in south Franklin's Goose Creek area is expected to be the largest and most expensive public works project in city history.
While no costs have been set, the 400 million-gallon facility could ultimately cost in excess of $80 million, take years to build and require the cooperation of city and state environmental regulators along the way. When complete, it would be unlike any other plant in the state.
That kind of importance has drawn added scrutiny from Mayor John Schroer and city aldermen.
Instead of accepting a committee's pick for the consulting firm to handle the project last month as expected, Schroer and city aldermen changed course and asked to have the top three design firms make their pitches for the project again, this time to all the city aldermen.
"If we're going to make that big of a decision, I felt like it was good to listen to all those proposals," Schroer said.
Proposals from the top three design firms are scheduled to be heard next week.
Getting the land needed for the project took months and cost millions. Yet the challenges for engineers to build what could be a 400 million-gallon zero-discharge sewer plant on 188 acres near the Goose Creek bypass will be even more formidable.
A zero-discharge plant requires that the treated wastewater effluent not be released into a river or stream like a traditional sewer plant. In this case, the stream that effluent would not enter is the environmentally fragile Harpeth River, which has had its share of troubles over the years.
State Department of Environment and Conservation spokeswoman Meg Lockhart said top state and city officials have had several discussions about the wastewater project.
When completed, Franklin's zero-discharge plant would be unlike any other in the state.
"We've been told that we will work with (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) and all the powers that be, and we will be writing the regulations as we go along," Schroer said.
However, Lockhart said state officials don't expect to need new regulations but, instead, will give Franklin a special permit for the plant.
Work could take 2 years
Permits for a nondischarging system will vary from system to system, because all are site specific, Lockhart noted.
Franklin's system will be unique to others that are planned or operating in the state.
Murfreesboro has bought land for wastewater disposal, while the town of Spencer's reclaimed water will infiltrates into groundwater.
"Zero-discharge systems differ from discharging systems only in the method by which they dispose of the treated water," Lockhart said. "It's what is done to the finished water that is different."
Completing the work will be another long-range project for Franklin.
Schroer estimated the first phase would cost $20 million, with three other similar phases rounding out the work.
All told, the work could take two years, with construction possibly starting in 2010 or 2011, city Engineering Director Eric Gardner said.
But the project remains on hold for the time being. Schroer and the other city aldermen delayed in October approving a recommendation to possibly build the new plant in favor of personally hearing presentations from the top three consultants vying for the job.
To read this entire article visit: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081119/COUNTY09/811190459/1164/COUNTY09
November 14, 2008
Christmas Village awaits shoppers this weekend
250 vendors will offer array of goods
The Tennessean
While the rest of the city is gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday, it'll already be Christmas at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
Organizers expect more than 20,000 people from Tennessee and surrounding states to descend upon the fairgrounds for Christmas Village, the Nashville Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club's annual fundraiser benefiting the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center and the Arrowmont School for Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg.
Shoppers will survey the goods of more than 250 vendors, looking through handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, holiday decorations, antiques and home decor of all types and prices in search of that perfect gift.
"For many families, coming to Christmas Village is a tradition that's being passed down," said Mila Grigg, 2008 Christmas Village publicity chair. "We're seeing more and more of children's children.
"I think the amount of merchandise and the variety brings people back. It's not just a Christmas show — it's a great trade show."
The show began as a one-day event in 1961, bringing in $1,020. Over the next 47 years, the annual fundraiser grew and expanded, donating more than $6.3 million to date.
Berenice Denton co-founded Christmas Village with the late Barbara White Fridrich and has been a vendor at the event for the last 30 years.
"Many of the vendors at Christmas Village aren't in the area," said Denton, who sells candy as well as gifts and antiques each year. "It's the only time you can have all these vendors under one roof, and get things you can't get anywhere else."
Grigg expects a strong turnout this year, which she hopes will generate even more revenue to donate to their philanthropies.
"We've heard people say that now that the election's over, they're just ready to have some fun," Grigg said. "Tickets for our Sneak-A-Peek night are almost sold out (as of Nov. 10). I think people are looking forward to getting out and having a fun day with their family."
The Tennessean
While the rest of the city is gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday, it'll already be Christmas at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
Organizers expect more than 20,000 people from Tennessee and surrounding states to descend upon the fairgrounds for Christmas Village, the Nashville Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club's annual fundraiser benefiting the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center and the Arrowmont School for Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg.
Shoppers will survey the goods of more than 250 vendors, looking through handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, holiday decorations, antiques and home decor of all types and prices in search of that perfect gift.
"For many families, coming to Christmas Village is a tradition that's being passed down," said Mila Grigg, 2008 Christmas Village publicity chair. "We're seeing more and more of children's children.
"I think the amount of merchandise and the variety brings people back. It's not just a Christmas show — it's a great trade show."
The show began as a one-day event in 1961, bringing in $1,020. Over the next 47 years, the annual fundraiser grew and expanded, donating more than $6.3 million to date.
Berenice Denton co-founded Christmas Village with the late Barbara White Fridrich and has been a vendor at the event for the last 30 years.
"Many of the vendors at Christmas Village aren't in the area," said Denton, who sells candy as well as gifts and antiques each year. "It's the only time you can have all these vendors under one roof, and get things you can't get anywhere else."
Grigg expects a strong turnout this year, which she hopes will generate even more revenue to donate to their philanthropies.
"We've heard people say that now that the election's over, they're just ready to have some fun," Grigg said. "Tickets for our Sneak-A-Peek night are almost sold out (as of Nov. 10). I think people are looking forward to getting out and having a fun day with their family."
Come join a trolley ride to start the upcoming holidays in Williamson County
Holly Trolley tickets on sale
The Tennessean
FRANKLIN -- Tickets for the Holly Trolley 2008 Event are on sale at the Transit Center, which is located at 708 Columbia Avenue.
Event dates begin on Friday, Dec. 5 and continue through December. Other dates are Dec. 6-7; Dec. 12-13; Dec. 19-21 and Dec. 27.
Participants will be treated to holiday refreshments thirty minutes prior to departure from the Transit Center in historic Downtown Franklin.
During the event, the beautiful holiday light displays throughout the Franklin and Brentwood areas in Williamson County
Pre-payment is required for seat reservations, and are on a first-come, first serve basis. Tickets are $15.00 per person. For more information visit: www.franklintransit.org or call 615-628-0254 for more information.
The Tennessean
FRANKLIN -- Tickets for the Holly Trolley 2008 Event are on sale at the Transit Center, which is located at 708 Columbia Avenue.
Event dates begin on Friday, Dec. 5 and continue through December. Other dates are Dec. 6-7; Dec. 12-13; Dec. 19-21 and Dec. 27.
Participants will be treated to holiday refreshments thirty minutes prior to departure from the Transit Center in historic Downtown Franklin.
During the event, the beautiful holiday light displays throughout the Franklin and Brentwood areas in Williamson County
Pre-payment is required for seat reservations, and are on a first-come, first serve basis. Tickets are $15.00 per person. For more information visit: www.franklintransit.org or call 615-628-0254 for more information.
Rates are dropping!
Mortgage Rates Drop Again Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped to 6.14 percent during the week ended Nov. 13, marking the second consecutive weekly decline. Rates were 6.20 percent the prior week.The 15-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 5.81 percent from 5.88 percent, while the five-year adjustable mortgage rate slipped to 5.98 percent from 6.19 percent. However, the one-year ARM climbed to 5.33 percent from 5.25 percent.
November 13, 2008
More Neighborhood Watch groups emerge
• THE TENNESSEAN • November 12, 2008
FRANKLIN — David Stephonson is on the Neighborhood Watch committee in Franklin's Founders Pointe subdivision, and he's diligent about preserving his neighborhood's safety.
"Last year we had some cars vandalized. Since our neighborhood group started, that hasn't happened anymore," he said.
In Spring Hill, Alan Singer spends most of his day keeping watch on his Wakefield neighborhood. So far, crime is not rampant in the fairly new community and he plans to keep it that way. He started Wakefield's Neighborhood Watch group three months ago.
"I did it in order to keep property values up and to keep neighborhoods safe," Singer said.
Law enforcement agencies throughout Williamson County rely on community watch groups, but Spring Hill and Franklin have the most momentum under way.
"The police departments do not have the man power to come in and police the areas as often as they should. You just want to make sure your family's in a safe environment," Singer continued. "If everyone's on board, it will make the characters unwanted in the neighborhood uncomfortable."
"The existence of these groups increases citizen awareness and encourages information sharing between the city's citizens and the police department that protects them," said Rose Steagall, Franklin Police Department's community relations officer.
Spring Hill Police Chief John Smith echoed Steagall's comments. "With today's economic times, we don't have the staffing we need. Having the community there is a plus all around. They're an extra pair of eyes for us to deter crime."
To start a neighborhood group in your community, contact your local police department. In Brentwood, the Neighborhood Watch program is coordinated by officer Mark Wood. If you are interested in starting a program in your neighborhood, please call Wood or officer Sam Bady at 615-371-2267 or e-mail Wood at woodm@brentwood-tn.org.
FRANKLIN — David Stephonson is on the Neighborhood Watch committee in Franklin's Founders Pointe subdivision, and he's diligent about preserving his neighborhood's safety.
"Last year we had some cars vandalized. Since our neighborhood group started, that hasn't happened anymore," he said.
In Spring Hill, Alan Singer spends most of his day keeping watch on his Wakefield neighborhood. So far, crime is not rampant in the fairly new community and he plans to keep it that way. He started Wakefield's Neighborhood Watch group three months ago.
"I did it in order to keep property values up and to keep neighborhoods safe," Singer said.
Law enforcement agencies throughout Williamson County rely on community watch groups, but Spring Hill and Franklin have the most momentum under way.
"The police departments do not have the man power to come in and police the areas as often as they should. You just want to make sure your family's in a safe environment," Singer continued. "If everyone's on board, it will make the characters unwanted in the neighborhood uncomfortable."
"The existence of these groups increases citizen awareness and encourages information sharing between the city's citizens and the police department that protects them," said Rose Steagall, Franklin Police Department's community relations officer.
Spring Hill Police Chief John Smith echoed Steagall's comments. "With today's economic times, we don't have the staffing we need. Having the community there is a plus all around. They're an extra pair of eyes for us to deter crime."
To start a neighborhood group in your community, contact your local police department. In Brentwood, the Neighborhood Watch program is coordinated by officer Mark Wood. If you are interested in starting a program in your neighborhood, please call Wood or officer Sam Bady at 615-371-2267 or e-mail Wood at woodm@brentwood-tn.org.
Nashville Home Prices
Nashville Business Journal Monday, November 10, 2008
Home prices continued to show a year-over-year decline in October, falling 5.7 percent compared to the same time last year while condominium prices dropped 13 percent.
The median price for a single family home fell to $170,000 from $180,400 last year in October, according to the Greater Nashville Associaton of Realtors.
Home prices have been falling since June year-over-year. The median price was flat compared to September, when the median price was $169,900.
Condominum prices fell the most, down to $152,500 from $175,579 last year at the same time.
Overall, home sales dropped 30 percent to 1,748 sales in October compared to 2,487 last year.
“The number of closings for October are down at a rate consistent with recent trends. The same is true for the median price of a home,” said GNAR President Mandy Wachtler. “There seems to have been some hesitancy among buyers related to the election and financial crisis. Now that the election is done and some clear steps have been taken to address the financial situation it is possible that people will feel more comfortable moving forward with purchasing a home.”
Single family home sales are down 29 percent, while condo sales are off by nearly half with 202 sales this October compared to 398 sales last year.
Home inventory has been slightly dropping in the second half of the year, down from its peak in May of this year of 25,096 homes, condos and lots for sale. At the end of October, 24,043 properties were available on the market, which was up from 22,889 in October last year.
Home prices continued to show a year-over-year decline in October, falling 5.7 percent compared to the same time last year while condominium prices dropped 13 percent.
The median price for a single family home fell to $170,000 from $180,400 last year in October, according to the Greater Nashville Associaton of Realtors.
Home prices have been falling since June year-over-year. The median price was flat compared to September, when the median price was $169,900.
Condominum prices fell the most, down to $152,500 from $175,579 last year at the same time.
Overall, home sales dropped 30 percent to 1,748 sales in October compared to 2,487 last year.
“The number of closings for October are down at a rate consistent with recent trends. The same is true for the median price of a home,” said GNAR President Mandy Wachtler. “There seems to have been some hesitancy among buyers related to the election and financial crisis. Now that the election is done and some clear steps have been taken to address the financial situation it is possible that people will feel more comfortable moving forward with purchasing a home.”
Single family home sales are down 29 percent, while condo sales are off by nearly half with 202 sales this October compared to 398 sales last year.
Home inventory has been slightly dropping in the second half of the year, down from its peak in May of this year of 25,096 homes, condos and lots for sale. At the end of October, 24,043 properties were available on the market, which was up from 22,889 in October last year.
November 10, 2008
29 acres to become public recreational use for Murfressboro
Murfreesboro to turn landfill into park
Nashville Business Journal
The city of Murfreesboro has announced plans to reclaim about 29 acres of the Old City Landfill for public recreational use as a part of its construction of the Gateway Trail and Island.
The Gateway Trail is about 2.2 miles in length and loops around a man-made lake and island in the city's Gateway Project along Medical Center Parkway. The reclamation process will involve installing an active vacuum landfill gas collection system for the methane gas that’s produced naturally in the landfill decomposition process.
The landfill was used to dispose of domestic waste between 1968 and 1974. The landfill gas collection system will be installed after a period of sampling and testing.
The timing of the landfill gas collection work is being expedited to coordinate with construction of the trail with the goal of making both areas available for public use by next spring.
Nashville Business Journal
The city of Murfreesboro has announced plans to reclaim about 29 acres of the Old City Landfill for public recreational use as a part of its construction of the Gateway Trail and Island.
The Gateway Trail is about 2.2 miles in length and loops around a man-made lake and island in the city's Gateway Project along Medical Center Parkway. The reclamation process will involve installing an active vacuum landfill gas collection system for the methane gas that’s produced naturally in the landfill decomposition process.
The landfill was used to dispose of domestic waste between 1968 and 1974. The landfill gas collection system will be installed after a period of sampling and testing.
The timing of the landfill gas collection work is being expedited to coordinate with construction of the trail with the goal of making both areas available for public use by next spring.
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