The project will encompass approximately ten acres
Last Thursday night, the City Council of Cookeville voted to retain a collaborative design team to provide a comprehensive Master Plan for the Westside Commercial District, including the recently purchased Wilson and Shanks Hotel property.
What does that mean, according to Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton?
“We interviewed four consulting firms, some of which were nationally recognized. We were looking for a team that could deliver a concept which would be creative, strategic, functional, historically sensitive, and provide economic and tourist impact,” said Wheaton.
Those interviews led the City Council to a team led by ASA Engineering & Consulting, Inc. and Tinker Ma, a Chattanooga-based architecture, interiors, and planning firm.
“Led by Cookeville resident Kevin Tucker, ASA Engineering contributes deep local insight, while Tinker Ma offers innovative ideas and extensive expertise in hospitality and placemaking,” according to a release by the city.
Wheaton says it was exciting concepts for things like a multi-use park around the Depot, traffic solutions, and parking concepts that gave the city faith in ASAE.
“They also emphasized how they would implement public input of local merchants and citizens in the design process,” said Wheaton.
In total, this project will encompass approximately ten acres and feature Cookeville’s historic Train Depot as the centerpiece of a park space. Plans also include:
- an event plaza
- green spaces
- tree-lined pedestrian walkways
- a pavilion
- a convenience building
According to the city, the convenience building will include:
- restrooms
- an information booth
- a security station
- shelter from the elements
All of this while “preserving the existing elements of the Depot and train display,” according to the city.
“The first phase of this project will include a parking lot with a minimum of 150 spaces and
additional temporary parking and a green space where potential development is contemplated. This parking lot will be designed for adaptability to be converted to a parking garage should
potential development and demand warrant,” according to the release
The Gas Department buildings on Oak Street nearby will soon be vacated. The design team will review options for those spaces as well, looking for “innovative connectivity concepts to link pedestrians and cyclists to other city elements such as the Lesli Town Center, Dogwood Park, Cookeville Performing Arts Center, and to the hospital/medical campus and TTU.”
Wheaton says the entire City Council is excited about the project.
“Our Council is so excited about this project,” said Mayor Wheaton. “We believe it will be a game-changer for our citizens and tourists while providing an environment to promote more business for our local merchants and restaurants. We are also encouraged that our ‘malfunction junction’ will be fixed at Cedar and Broad.”
Sooner rather than later. That is the mantra with the project being fast-tracked to begin immediately, with survey and environmental teams beginning work next week. The team will be digging for critical data that supports the design effort that will commence in mid-October.
“Simultaneously, next week will also mark the launch of the public input process, which will include a questionnaire, interviews, and focus groups, culminating in a town hall presentation to share a preliminary concept shaped by community participation. Announcements will follow concerning opportunities for how anyone who desires to participate can get involved,” according to the release.
What is the ultimate objective?
The objective, according to the city, is to initiate construction of the parking lot in the first quarter of 2026, and “commence construction of road improvements before the end of the third quarter of 2026.”
This is an ongoing story. Check back for updates.
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