News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville City Council approved the purchase of the property that currently houses the Country Bumpkin at the corner of Willow Avenue and W. Stevens Street.
City Manager James Mills said that the property purchase is part of a larger plan to install a center turn lane where Stevens intersects with Willow Avenue.
“The survey indicates that the structure already extends about 12 feet into the right of way but we will still need to get another 11 feet of their property as right of way that sits you at about 721 square feet. You also need to get 188 square feet of slop and drainage easements and another 806 square feet of construction.”
Mills said that over the last year the city has had numerous discussions with the Country Bumpkin owners to try and reach an agreement so it can stay in business and the city can complete the project. He said that the current agreement is for the city to pay for the property and the building, take on the responsibility of demolishing the building, and give the owners 5,000 square feet to rebuild behind the current location.
“What we’re trying to do here is not only keep her in business but avoid eminent domain and other litigation because you never know what could happen with a situation like that,” Mills said. “And they’ve been very gracious to work with us. But the specifics of the agreement call for us to pay the Carrs $425,000 with $100,000 paid upon the execution of this agreement.”
Mills said that the agreement would allow the business to remain for up to a year while the business owner has the ability to reconstruct what’s remaining on her property. She said that when she finds a contractor to do the work the city will pay the remainder of the money owed.
