CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Funding for several high-profile capital projects totaling $27.46 million was approved by City Council Thursday night after being voted down in March.
Thursday’s budget amendment funds a new downtown parking garage and the Frosty Morn project, along with renovation and construction services for the Cumberland Garage, Smith-Trahern Mansion, and TDOT infrastructure improvements.
Funding passed its second vote as part of the meeting’s consent agenda, though council members Vondell Richmond, Ambar Marquis, Wanda Allen and Trisha Butler registered no votes for that item.
A contentious start
A similar bill, including funding for the above projects as well as two others, failed on second reading in March due largely to several council members’ concerns that the Parking Commission did not have a clear plan to pay for a new parking garage.
A new capital projects bill went before the council in April, including only the Cumberland Garage, Frosty Morn, Smith-Trahern and the TDOT project. Stacey Streetman immediately proposed an amendment to reintroduce funding for a new garage.
This time, council members approved the funding 8-3.
With funding approved by the council, work can continue on the Frosty Morn capital project, and repairs can begin on the Cumberland Garage and Smith-Trahern Mansion.
While an official location has not yet been announced for a new parking garage, it has been suggested by local leaders including Mayor Joe Pitts that an ideal spot is the parking lot at the corner of Commerce and South First Street.