News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Work on Cookeville’s Jefferson Avenue expansion has created some issues for Cookeville Rescue Mission’s day-to-day operations.
Executive Director Bruce Bailey said they were made aware T-DOT had plans to expand the road around three years ago. He said it is only in the last few weeks that the work has started to have an impact, namely the mud at its campus.
“And that tracked into a lot of places, until my staff came up with an idea and they cut through the cyclone fence between the two buildings and they put up big 12-inch square pavers,” Bailey said. “And they’ve created a nice little walkway. So that’s worked out well.”
Bailey said work will also cut a wide part of the parking lot to turn into an easement. Despite those impacts, Bailey said T-DOT has been great to work with.
Bailey said although it is messy right now, it will have long-term benefits for the people who visit the rescue mission. He said right now, individuals who visit the rescue mission have to walk along the sides of busy roads. Bruce said having sidewalks will increase the safety of those individuals.
