Tag Archives: Jefferson Avenue

Dirt will not start moving on the Jefferson Avenue widening project until 2022. T-DOT spokesperson Jennifer Flynn said the department is still in the property acquisition phase and bids are expected to open in late-summer or fall. Flynn said that once a contract is awarded, utilities must be relocated. That could take six months. “It just depends on how many ... Read More »

East Spring Street between Jefferson Avenue and Washington Avenue will be closed for water repairs in Cookeville. Read More »

A private developer wants to purchase the 30 acres atop Shoney’s hill just off Cookeville’s South Jefferson Avenue. County Mayor Randy Porter said the property appraised for some $300,000. The developer has offered “two to three times that amount.” Porter said no deal has been worked out. “I’m coming back to you to see if that’s something that you’re interested ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Gondola’s Pizza House has closed after being in business since 1968. Lambros and Helen Lainos have operated the Italian restaurant for the past five years. Helen Lainos said COVID did play a role, but the deciding factor was changes to the Jefferson Avenue location. “There is a road being widened. We are going to lose six parking spaces,” Lainos ... Read More »

The Cookeville Water Department has dealt with three water line breaks since Monday due to freezing weather. The three lines are located from Big Lots to Kroger on Jefferson Avenue. Water and Sewer Director Ronnie Kelly said the cast iron lines are not flexible and snap like a glass rod in low temperatures. “The ground shifting,” Kelly said. “It just ... Read More »

The removal of the Cookeville Quality Inn has begun. A new 102-room, 5-story Hilton Property will be built on the front of the Jefferson Avenue site. The newest portion of the Quality Inn will remain with 65 rooms. According to the hotel General Manager, there is no estimate on how long the tear down will last. The General Manager said ... Read More »

The Jefferson Avenue widening project is still in its property acquisition phase, but remains on track for bidding in March 2021. T-DOT Community Relations Officer Jennifer Flynn said a total of 103 parcels are needed along the stretch from Interstate 40 to Highway 111. Flynn said the pandemic has slowed down acquiring properties. However, she could not say for sure ... Read More »

Cookeville’s Public Works Department is planning ahead for increased Jefferson Avenue traffic by reworking traffic signal timings. T-DOT plans to start widening the road next spring from Interstate 40 to the south towards Highway 111. Director Greg Brown said work for a new traffic pattern needs to start now. “The reason we need to do it now, because once construction ... Read More »

2020 was the first year for SeedFork of the Highlands community garden on Jefferson Avenue and there are already plans for the Spring. SeedFork Chairman Rodney Laulo said the long term vision is continuing to build a partnership with Tennessee Tech Agriculture to bring transplant crops into the garden. Laulo said he wants to create an interactive education for kids, ... Read More »

Cookeville is preparing to begin an assessment on the sewer system on Jefferson Avenue. Cookeville Water and Sewer Director Ronnie Kelly said the department has taken bids to begin video monitoring the sewer to check the condition. Kelly said the sewer video will be reviewed by city engineers to determine the scope of the project. “Our in-house engineers will review ... Read More »