News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
City of Cookeville soliciting requests for qualifications (RFQ) from professionals to move forward on the Lemon Farris industrial site.
The site is located off Highway 111 near the I-40 interchange.
Community Development Director Jon Ward said due diligence tests include geotechnical work and wetland determination. He said having due diligence services completed will be instrumental in attracting potential developers to the site.
“These are all issues that are looked into before a property is developed for industrial purposes,” Ward said. “So us having all those questions answered makes the site more readily available. It’s quicker to market, and a user will know the conditions out there, will know if it’s good or if there are any issues they need to contend with.”
Ward said the city was awarded a $25,000 Select Tennessee Site Development Grant in 2021 to help fund the work. He said the next steps will be to obtain the RFQs, and hopefully award a contract shortly.
Ward said the biggest undertaking for the professionals will be the geotechnical and soil borings. He said they are looking for RFQs that include a record of success for similar projects, availability of qualified personnel, and familiarity with the community’s needs.
“These are studies that anybody has to do before they start developing industrial property really,” Ward said.
