Budgeting Money for Entranceways Would Improve City

Cookeville City Council Member Eric Walker wants money in the new budget under consideration set aside for Cookeville’s entranceways.

Walker said TDOT is allowing cities to have a bigger role in improving entranceways to make them more appealing to both visitors and residents.

“So when you enter the city of Cookeville, you know where you’re at and it’s more than just a green sign on the side of the interstate,” Walker said. “Certainly putting money towards gateways is a small investment that makes a great impact on the community.”

Walker said he wants the money not only to improve entranceways, but to improve the downtown area as well. Walker said that many times cities will budget improvements once, and not commit to budgeting ongoing maintenance. According to Walker, Cookeville is in a good place financially and budget these improvements and their upkeep.

“If you haven’t budgeted enough money, then it’s best to wait another year or look at it again and actually do it right the first time,” Walker said.

Walker said he’d also like to see landscaping crews dedicated to specific service, so the maintenance will be targeted as well as ongoing.

Walker said there are plenty of examples of other cities in Tennessee that have made beautiful gateway improvements, and wants Cookeville to have high expectations to compete with those.