News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville is set to add a new online system to the city’s website detailing upcoming and ongoing capital projects.
City Manager James Mills said the idea came after seeing social media comments from citizens concerned there was not enough work being done to improve the city.
“And I was surprised considered how much coverage we’ve had in local media about the widening of East 10th Street and numerous other current infrastructure improvements,” Mills said. “So it really became obvious that we probably need to do a better job of telling our story.”
Mills said that the current list of more than 30 projects totals over $120 million. He said all of the projects are expected to either start or be completed in the next 12 to 18 months.
Mills said that the information the website will provide will include a list of the projects, maps of their locations, and information on the status and cost of the projects.
“Of course the largest of these at nearly $40 million is the widening of South Jefferson Avenue from I-40 to State Highway 111,” Mills said. “This project was recently bid and I expect city council to approve it at their first meeting of October, and the project should start sometime in November.”
Mills said that another big project the public may not be aware of is a $17 million to $20 million expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. He said that project is key for the future growth of the city. Mills said he hopes that being transparent and making these projects readily available to the public will show a commitment to planning for the city’s future.
Mills said that he plans to have the full list up on the city’s website at some point next week.
