CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett joined one another today to address the community at the 2021 Mayor’s Power Breakfast, hosted by the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Power Breakfast was closed to the public. The event was instead streamed via Goodwin Production’s YouTube page.
Here are some of the top takeaways from what the mayors had to say.
1. Downtown development and parking
Pitts and Durrett both addressed Clarksville’s growing downtown area and the projects going on there.
Durrett talked about the Multi-Purpose Event Center, which broke ground in November.
“We hope that by end of the year 2021, that entire area will be covered in steel,” Durrett said.
Pitts discussed the city’s proposal to purchase the Roxy Regional Theatre and construct a new Performing Arts Center. A resolution to purchase the Roxy will be voted on at the City Council’s regular session in February.
Pitts also addressed the issue of downtown parking. He said the city is working with private partners to research parking options and hopes to present a proposal to the council in the coming months.
2. Rossview Athletic Complex
Mayor Pitts gave an update on the future Rossview Athletic Complex, for which phase one funding was approved in October as part of the revised 2021 budget.
Pitts shared a new rendering of the proposed $14 million, 300-plus acre facility.
The site will include seven new, lighted, multi-purpose fields, an accessible playground and a walking trail.
3. New 911 facility
According to Durrett, the 911 Board has purchased property and will be relocating to a new dispatch center.
According to a letter sent to Mayor Durrett by 911 Board Chair Elisabeth Henley, the new property is located at 1645 Eastern Hills Drive.
Durrett said the current 911 and EMA facility at 130 S. First St., which was constructed after the 1999 tornado, has become overcrowded, necessitating the move.
Durrett also said the county is looking into the construction of a new EMA facility neighboring the future 911 site.
4. Frosty Morn
Pitts elaborated on plans for the Frosty Morn building in the College Street/Red River area.
The site will be converted into a new community facility. Pitts said the building will likely include a food truck parking area, year-round indoor farmers market and a commercial kitchen for use by the public.
Pitt’s did not provide a completion date for the project, but said crews have nearly finished demolishing the “ugly” parts of the building and will soon be planning the next steps, including design with community input.
5. Traffic issues
Both mayors were asked to speak on traffic issues, particularly in regards to the 41A Bypass and Interstate 24.
Pitts responded that both are state highways that fall under the Tennessee Department of Transportation, but the city and county are working with state legislators to find traffic solutions.
Durrett added that upgrades to I-24 fall under the purview of the Tennessee IMPROVE Act and constituents should urge their representatives to support getting the projects funded.
“Representative Johnson, Hodges and Reedy, Senator Powers, I hope you’re listening because we’re going to come knocking,” said Durrett.
Pitts also said that one of the most effective ways to reduce traffic is to reduce the number of daily commuters.
By increasing entertainment options through projects like the MPEC and Performing Arts Center as well as recruiting new employers to move to Clarksville, Pitts said he hopes to reduce the number of people commuting to Nashville on a daily basis.
Correction: A previous version of this story should have said that the new 911 Dispatch Center property is located at 1645 Eastern Hills Drive.