News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The first step in Cookeville’s Cedar Avenue beautification project has been made.
The City will make some $16,000 in updates to storm sewage structures. Cityscape Director Holly Freeman said this is a good step for the project.
“I think that specific street is long overdue for some improvements and we’re excited to partner with the city and to see that corridor have some attention,” Freeman said.
Freeman said she’s excited the plan is moving forward, despite planning delays due to the pandemic.
Many small businesses have set up shop along Cedar Avenue, including the Biz Foundary and Red Silo. Freeman said this project will attract more businesses to move to the area. She said the downtown area has a 98 percent occupancy rate.
“We’re excited to see that section of town receive some due love,” Freeman said. “But even more importantly, we’re excited that the Tennessee Tech facility, students, and faculty as well as the hospital will have a beautiful, easy access to get downtown to come enjoy all we have to offer.”
A bike lane, new sidewalks, and lamp posts will line Cedar Avenue from the West Side to 7th Street. Freeman said improving pedestrian and bike traffic opens new opportunities for businesses.
“Right now we go a little bit farther than 1st [Street], I think it’s 2nd or 3rd [Street] where our footprint stops right now,” Freeman said. “But who’s to say that it couldn’t continue as we see more businesses move into the area and more people start to enjoy that corridor, bringing them down to the West Side, down Broad, and all the way down the courthouse where our Main Street footprint is right now.”
Freeman said the city plans to add more parking where the Cedar Avenue storage units are.
The City Council approved the sewer project Thursday.
