CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The mayors of Clarksville and Montgomery County gave their annual updates at the Mayor’s Power Breakfast on Tuesday at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center, and they took the opportunity to thank city and county employees who went the extra mile during the response to the Dec. 9 Clarksville tornado.
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said we have shifted from debris removal to the long-term recovery process, and he promised that the recovery will be complete, ensuring that those most affected by the damage will get the assistance they need. “Bottom line: There’s no task too hard, no challenge too great, and no burden too difficult for us to overcome what happened on Dec. 9. We will be with our neighbors until the very end,” he said.
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts
In his annual update, Pitts focused on three key local projects:
Hazelwood Recreation Complex: The city is negotiating to buy the Clarksville Speedway. The plan is to use the land to help widen Needmore Road and to replace the Speedway with a new park and community center, the first one in north Clarksville. “This will be a game-changer, not just for the north part of our community, but for the entire community as well,” Pitts said. In response to a question about potential environmental cleanup at the racetrack, Pitts said some may be needed, but he didn’t expect it to be a burdensome cost or he wouldn’t be pursuing the project.
Transportation 2020: Reflecting on the challenges of building up local roads, Pitts said, “If you accept state and federal money … it slows it down and costs more” because of delays in the approval process. “So we decided we’re going to go it alone on a lot of projects.”
- Spring Creek Parkway: Phase 1, the western portion closest to Trenton Road, is underway and expected to be finished this year. Phase 2 in the middle is more complicated, including a $35 million bridge over Spring Creek, and it will connect to Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. Phase 3 will connect to Ted Crozier Boulevard.
- Tylertown Road widening: The widening will include improvements to the Trenton Road intersection, home to the often-damaged Gary the Guardrail. Pitts joked that “we’ll have a funeral service for him at some point in the near future.”
- Sidewalks: There are 13 school-related sidewalk projects in the works. Also, the Crossland Avenue sidewalk will soon be going out to bid, and the Peachers Mill Road sidewalk will see construction start later this year.
Performing Arts Center: A financing plan for the Performing Arts Center, which will replace the existing Roxy Regional Theatre, will be presented to the City Council in early spring, Pitts said. “Our citizens deserve a place to enjoy the performing arts,” he said.
“I believe 2024 will be our best year,” Pitts said in closing. “We’re going to harness the power of unity to move this city forward with progress. We’re going to pull in the same harness to make sure we’re going in the right direction. No longer will we be viewed as an afterthought. We are a top tier city in this state and in this region and it’s time to act like one.”
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden
Golden touched on several county projects, from internal improvements to new programming at county parks.
Communications system: Golden said to improve on technology for public safety, the county needs to upgrade its communication system. The EMS, Sheriff’s Office and County Fire Service are on a 400 Mhz system – essentially walkie talkies. City first responders are on an 800 Mhz system – essentially cell phone technology. “We want to all be on the same system so that during these disasters we can talk together seamlessly.” It’s a $20 million project, with about $10 million coming from the state.
Highway Department: The county Highway Department is planning to build a new office and adjacent maintenance facility on Highway Drive, with a groundbreaking expected this spring. “If you would like to step back in time, you can go visit the Highway Department right now and it’s like walking into the late ’50s, early ’60s,” Golden said. Funding to purchase land for the facility was approved Monday night by the Montgomery County Commission.
Animal Control Center and Library Branch: A new Animal Control facility and Library Branch are planned in separate buildings at a site on Jordan Branch Road and Purple Heart Parkway. On the shelter, Golden said it will be a replacement shelter, and the old one will be closed. “Where they’re currently working right now, it’s not fair to the animals or the employees,” he said. In response to a question, Golden clarified that the Animal Control shelter will replace the old one, while the library will be a branch location, in addition to the existing library downtown. Ground should be broken in the next couple of months, he said.
The Mayor’s Power Breakfast is sponsored annually by the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce. For more about the Chamber, visit the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce website or call 931-647-2331.
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