CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – From Frosty Morn to the Athletic Complex at Exit 8, the City of Clarksville has several capital projects in the works as the fiscal year winds down.
The city provided an update this week on 15 ongoing capital projects.
Rossview/Exit 8 Athletic Complex
The city has completed around 50% of the roadwork construction leading to the Athletic Complex being built off of Exit 8, according to the news release from city spokesman Jimmy Settle. Once the city has completed roadwork construction, this will allow them to begin building the infrastructure of the park.
The complex will include several multi-purpose fields, pavilions, restrooms and an accessible playground that meets guidelines outlined by the Americans with Disabilties Act.
Phase 1 of the complex has a projected bid opening in June.
Silicon Ranch Solar Farm
CDE Lightband, the Tennessee Valley Authority and Silicon Ranch joined local officials for a groundbreaking on May 17 for two new solar projects.
Silicon Ranch has finalized the purchase of property from the city, and construction can now begin on the solar farm south of the planned Athletic Complex.
The second farm will be built on Wedgwood Drive, between the Madison Street Publix and the Red River.
Mayor Joe Pitts previously said this is a signature project for the city, and it puts Clarksville on the map as far as solar energy goes.
Frosty Morn revitalization
The initial demolition of sections of the old Frosty Morn structure has begun to take place.
The city plans to remove existing interior finishes, unnecessary walls and roofing to make way for construction and development of the site.
Following the initial phase, a “dry-in” phase begins this summer or in the early fall of 2023.
While the programming hasn’t been finalized, the site could include event space, a community kitchen, makers’ spaces, a food court, restaurants, food truck vendors, a farmers’ market, an outdoor amphitheater and an office space for nonprofits and the city.
Red River pedestrian bridge
The Red River pedestrian bridge is nearing completion of its design phase. The bridge will connect the existing Clarksville Greenway north of the river to the APSU trails off of Kraft Street.
This bridge will create 11 miles of interconnected Greenway trails. The project is expected to begin construction this fall.
Outlaw Field Public Safety Complex
The City of Clarksville has been dealt approximately 7.25 acres of Outlaw Field by the Clarksville Regional Airport Authority, and they plan to use that land to build the Outlaw Field Public Safety Complex.
The complex will house the Clarksville Police Department District 4 Precinct, an additional county-funded Emergency Medical Service station, a refueling station, a salt shed and an equipment lot.
The refueling station will include access for gasoline, diesel, natural gas and electric-powered vehicles and equipment.
The City of Clarksville also said they plan to build a joint departments operation and storage building on the site.
CFR Administration/Training Facility
Clarksville Fire Rescue will soon have a new facility for their administration, training, fire safety and fire prevention offices.
CFR has outgrown their current facility, described as “two old, repurposed wood-framed structures.” CFR has a staff of more than 250 employees. Those employees will be housed on in this new facility on Franklin Street where the Fire Prevention Office was previously located.
The facility will be two stories tall and more than 20,000 square feet. The ground floor will be meant for training, while the second is meant for offices.
Parking garage at First and Commerce
Site preparations for a long-awaited additional City of Clarksville parking garage have begun to take place.
This new garage will offer 587 parking spaces and will connect to the existing Cumberland Parking Garage at Second and Commerce. In addition, a pedestrian bridge will extend from the Second Street level of the garage to 110 Franklin St., immediately adjacent to the future Performing Arts Center.
This is a separate project from the 724-space parking garage being built by Montgomery County between Riverview Inn and the F&M Bank Arena.
The parking garage is expected to be competed in the spring of 2024.
Performing Arts Center
The City of Clarksville recently came to terms with Lyle-Cook-Martin Architects to design the long-planned Performing Arts Center, according to the news release.
The architects are gathering information for a preliminary design meeting and making revisions to the work they’ve done thus far.
Smith Trahern Mansion
A contractor has been hired by the city to rehabilitate the Smith-Trahern Mansion, according to the news release.
The expectation is that the contractor will undertake window reproduction and repair of rotted mill work, trim, siding, balcony repairs, iron work repairs, gutter repairs and roofing repairs.
Construction has begun to take place, and they expect to complete the project by early summer.
Ajax Turner improvements
The Ajax Turner 50+ Center is looking to improve their design concept, making the exterior of the building more accessible to visitors, especially those with cognitive disorders.
Other considerations include adding an accessible route to the storm shelter from the Adult Day Care area and a canopy in the drop-off and pick-up area.
Also, 60% of the roof and HVAC equipment are beyond their expected life, so the city will look to add funding for these projects to the 2024 fiscal year budget.
L&N Train Station
L&N Train Station is set to receive substantial repairs to the embarkment of the canopy as well as painting.
The station has been utilized by the Montgomery County Historical Society, but Clarksville Parks and Recreation will begin to use the facility as a small events venue.
The train station hasn’t received any significant work on site since it was restored in 1995.
New Clarksville Fire Rescue #6
Clarksville Fire Rescue Station #6 will be relocated in the coming years, according to the news release. Because of population growth, the city needs to increase the number of firefighters and equipment at station #6.
The city has bought property at Arrowood Drive and South Jordan Drive just south of Purple Heart Parkway and plans to begin construction at the beginning of the 2024 fiscal year pending approval by the City Council, according to the news release.
The existing Clarksville Fire Rescue Station #6 on Ashbury Road was constructed in 1968.
Replacement of Clarksville Fire Rescue #3
The city is also looking to enlarge Station #3 due to the need of additional personnel and equipment, according to the news release. The facility was constructed in 1965 and doesn’t have separate men’s and women’s restrooms, it’s not ADA accessible and it doesn’t have decontamination facilities to protect firefighter health.
This project was originally labeled as a renovation; however, due to expenses, it’s been converted to a demolition and reconstruction project.
Edith Pettus Park improvements
The city is set to make improvements to Edith Pettus Park, with new field layouts to include a regulation-sized football field, a smaller practice field, a basketball court and new athletic field lighting.
BR Miller Company has partnered with the city to add the new field layouts.
Beech Street Park
A new neighborhood park will be placed in the New Providence area. The park will be named the Beech Street Park, which will have a well-lit playground, open space and parking, according to the news release.
A number of city departments are providing work to the project including Parks and Creation, Building and Codes, Street Department, CDE, Forestry and Gas and Water.
Approximately 30% of the site work has been completed and playground equipment is expected to be ordered in May of this year.
For more
City spokesman Jimmy Settled said that the project summaries are not an exhaustive list of all City General Capital Projects. Settle added that the list does not include Clarksville Gas & Water, CDE Lightband, Clarksville Transit System or Transportation 2020+ capital projects.