Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com
psparn@ClarksvilleNow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Former Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper spoke at the Clarksville Rotary Club’s weekly lunch meeting to discuss his vision for the city of Clarksville at the Clarksville Country Club on Wednesday afternoon.
Piper spoke about the current status of Clarksville and offered his ideas to foster future growth and success in the city.
“I am really disappointed in the past three years,” said Piper. “That’s not a political statement, that’s a citizen’s statement.”
While Piper said he was not currently considering running for mayor, he suggested that the city needed a better vision that was focused on growth and progress.
“I don’t see much happening in Clarksville; I don’t see any new road construction,” said Piper. “I don’t see new plans or a vision for Clarksville going forward.”
Piper said he sees Clarksville settling with the status-quo.
“If you’re not moving forward; if you’re moving backward or even standing still, your community is failing,” said Piper. “You cannot tread water and that’s what I believe we are doing.”
Piper suggested there are many things in Clarksville that need immediate attention but the first priority needs to be transportation development.
“Our population has grown from 103,000 in 2001 to 140,000 today and very little has been done to invest in our roads,” said Piper. “We must prioritize road construction and begin building new roads immediately.”
Piper spoke about a few specific road projects that are needed, including expansions to Rossview Road, Cardinal Lane, Riverside Drive and Kraft Street.
“We have traffic jams at every corner and too many people are waiting prolonged times in traffic lines,” said Piper. “The population is growing but our transportation development is not … We must build new roads or we will stifle our growth.”
Piper pointed out that although projects like the Clarksville Marina may have been controversial when he introduced them, they have since become very beneficial to the entire community.
“We need to make investments for the future and not worry about the immediate reaction,” said Piper.
Piper also pointed out that although the plans for Hemlock Semi-Conductor may have fallen through, Clarksville will still receive positive benefits form the Industrial park expansion regardless of whether they open or not.
“If they never open, we have already greatly benefited from it economically,” said Piper. “If they do open, we are doing much better.”
Piper also pointed out that Clarksville needed to do something unique with recreation in the area.
“Clarksville has hit a ceiling and we need to do something different to set and reach great goals or we will get left behind by other cities,” said Piper. “We must do something creative and different to set us apart from other cities.”
Piper suggested that studies should be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of creative and unique recreational opportunities, such as a major musical attraction, theme park or minor league sports team.
Piper also said a conference center is greatly needed in Clarksville.
“A conference center is a necessity to any growing and thriving city,” said Piper. “Growing cities all around us are building conference centers, including Nashville.”
Piper also said Downtown Clarksville needs to be revitalized again.
“The city and county government must invest in revitalizing downtown because viable downtown centers are vitally important to growing and prosperous communities,” said Piper.
Piper said the city of Clarksville needs to come up with creative marketing plans and needs to create a plan focused on growth and the future of Clarksville.
“We in Clarksville are hungry for someone to lead us into progress and lead us into a better Clarksville,” said Piper. “Currently, I don’t see a plan for things that need to be accomplished.
“A better vision would help Clarksville break out once again and become a preeminent city with great momentum.”
Piper said he was asked to speak the meeting about his vision for Clarksville and said he was not trying to launch a mayoral campaign.
“I’ve been flattered that many people have asked me if I was running for mayor again,” said Piper. “But, at this point I am not going to think about that.”
Piper said most of his suggestions he spoke about at the Rotary meeting come from the 2030 Smart Growth Plan that was created while he was in office.
“We invested a lot of time, money and effort in creating this plan and we need to pick it up again,” said Piper. “We need to make the necessary changes to it and encourage our leaders to step forward and embrace these ideas for the progress of our community.”
Photos by Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com