Board recently approved sign variances for proposed Willow/I-40 project location
After years of speculation, all signs may point to a Target (and maybe Home Depot) coming to Cookeville at the corner of I-40 and Willow Avenue at 1100 South Willow Avenue.
Here’s why.
Development Management Group, LLC (DMG) of Nashville oversees the proposed retail center with two “anchor” locations, including a 128,000 square foot retail space and a second “anchor” location of 107,000 square foot, three restaurant spaces (including a 5,000 square foot building) and a garden center. Just for reference, the typical Target store is approximately 130,000 square feet (not including small-format stores), and Home Depot locations usually run at about 105,000 square feet on average. DMG also has a history of both Target and Home Depot projects. On Nov. 11, 2002, Target announced it would open larger format stores ranging from 130,000 to 150,000 square feet.
Coincidence? Maybe.
Target? – Layout and design of proposed development at the corner of Willow and I-40.
The Cookeville Board of Zoning Appeals recently approved a 120-foot sign variance (to improve visibility for I-40) for the proposed project. The original sign height limit was 100 feet. A maximum sign height increase from 35 feet to 44 feet was also approved, with a maximum signage area change from 500 square feet to 592.5 square feet following the variance approvals.
Complete details of the requests include:
- Consider a request for a variance to the Parking Area landscape design requirements to allow an adjustment to the interior parking islands for property located at (Tax Map 065, Parcel 098.00).
- Consider a request for a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 50 feet to 25 feet along Green Gate Lane and to reduce the setback from 50 feet to 25 feet from Interstate 40 for the property located at 1100 South Willow Avenue (Tax Map 065, Parcel 098.00).
- Consider a request for a variance to the maximum sign height requirement from 100 feet to 120 feet for a total variance of 20 feet for a sign within 750 feet of Interstate 40 right of way and a variance to the maximum sign height of 35 feet to 44 feet for a variance of 9 feet, and the maximum signage area from 500 square feet to 592.5 square feet for a total variance of 92.5 square feet for property located at 1100 South Willow Avenue (Tax Map 065, Parcel 098.00).
- Consider a request for a variance to the Parking Area landscape design requirements to allow an adjustment to the interior parking islands for the property located at 1100 South Willow Avenue (Tax Map 065, Parcel 098.00).
- Consider a request for a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 50 feet to 25 feet along Green Gate Lane and to reduce the setback from 50 feet to 25 feet from Interstate 40 for the property located at 1100 South Willow Avenue (Tax Map 065, Parcel 098.00).
All requests were submitted by Ken Knuckles of DMG.
According to community development director Jon Ward, the tenants are undisclosed, and there is no official timeline, but a complete development outline is expected in the next month. Ward said, the most recent variance approvals were for an evolving plat that has changed since last year’s request. At the time, there was concern that the 120-foot sign would block the view of the River Church’s 110-foot cross, a calling card for the city and travelers rolling down the interstate in both directions.
Who is DMG, the Nashville-based group heading up the project?
DMG:
- Developed the Shoppes at Eagle Point Project in Cookeville which included Publix, Academy and many more.
- Some of the company’s principal projects include Target, Home Depot, Walgreens and Lowes.
- Is comprised of development, construction and engineering professionals with nearly 150 years of combined experience working for design firms, developers, contractors and retailers.
“Our extensive experience provides us with a unique ability to fully understand what is critical to our clients and their business while also having the insight on what it takes to pull a successful project together from feasibility to design and permitting, through construction and turnover to your tenants,” according to DMG’s website. “We have successfully managed the development and construction of large, big-box anchored shopping centers to smaller build-to-suit projects throughout the southeast.”
Sources close to the situation have told the Upper Cumberland Business Journal the proposed “retail center” will include a “big box retailer” that most everyone is familiar with. Will that retailer be a Target, Home Depot or both? Specifics are unknown, but follow the breadcrumbs, and all signs may point to yes.
But, after years of disappointment for Target fans, they may not get their hopes up this time.
Calls to DMG were not immediately returned. This an ongoing story. Check back for details.
Photos via Target and the City of Cookeville.
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