CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The City of Clarksville announced on Wednesday the launch of the Restoring Clarksville Initiative, which aims to clean up neighborhoods and properties that are in decline.

The program, first introduced at the Mayor’s Power Breakfast, was launched by Mayor Joe Pitts and his administration, and Councilperson Deanna McLaughlin has been appointed by Pitts to head the Restoring Clarksville Initiative Task Force, according to a news release sent to Clarksville Now.

‘Growing forward together’

“We have chosen ‘Growing forward together’ as our city’s theme for the year, and this initiative has great promise and potential to help our existing neighborhoods address chronic concerns,” Pitts said in the release. “We will highlight neglected and abandoned properties in our initial efforts, and also historic properties that have fallen into decline. It is a tall task, and one that Councilman McLaughlin has the passion to address. She will provide great leadership, and the results will be a turning point for our city.”

At its first organizational meeting on Tuesday, the task force began identifying and examining the needs of neglected properties. This is the first step in the process as the initiative will aim to identify, review and evaluate properties that are experiencing deterioration due to economic factors, or from neglect by property owners, according to the release.

“I am grateful for Mayor Pitts’ confidence in my ability to lead this initiative to improve the appearance of our city,” said McLaughlin in the release. “This effort is a collaborative one, and the support that I have experienced from our city departments, along with the diverse expertise of our task force members, is the key to achieving our objectives. Together, we have the opportunity to make a lasting impact, and I am fully committed to ensuring this process leads to meaningful and visible improvements for Clarksville.”

Task force members

Properties that are abandoned, unkempt and deteriorating have a broader negative impact on surrounding neighborhoods and commercial areas, including the consequences ranging from the creation of health and safety hazards, to nuisances for neighbors, to vandalism, the release said. City personnel spend an inordinate amount of time investigating repeated City Code violations.

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The Restoring Clarksville Initiative will include representatives from departments such as Building and Codes, Communications, Neighborhood and Community Services, CPD and the Street Department, among others. Mayor’s Youth Council President/Northwest High School student Adam Stover has also been appointed by Pitts to be a part of this initiative, as well as APSU President’s Emerging Leaders Program member Kyleigh Koyama.

The task force will look to:

  • Create a city-wide inventory of neglected properties.
  • Create and implement property improvement programs.
  • Work with property owners to bring properties into compliance with property maintenance codes.
  • Recommend City Code updates.
  • Promote City Code compliance.
  • Provide support for property owners.
  • Seek grants and redevelopment programs.
  • Perform other necessary tasks related to the mission as they arise.

As the Restoring Clarksville Initiative progresses, the task force will prepare a report outlining its finding and recommendations for the mayor, as they will also present their findings and proposals to the City Council for review and potential action.

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