Walker Expresses Frustration With Cookeville’s Spring Street Sidewalk Expenses

Cookeville will apply for a grant to fund the next phase of the Spring Street Sidewalk project, but not without apprehension from some city council members.

The long-desired project has experienced almost ten years of delays due to rising costs changing the scope of the project. Council Member Eric Walker said one of his frustrations with the project is that the city is spending so much money that the city will have to spend again when the road is improved in the future.

“Probably sooner rather than later will need further improvement, portions of that road are kind of underserviced as it is now,” Walker said. “I would like to see that go to a logical discussion with T-DOT.”

Walker proposed having discussions that center on regearing towards a better road project that pools the money both from T-DOT and the city. He said he would like to see that turn into a more practical project that addresses both the road and the sidewalk instead of doubling up on construction costs.

Community Development Director Jon Ward said T-DOT is fully aware of this segment of roadway, but he does not believe there is any thought of increasing the project other than the city’s ask. He said the city has definitely put it on the state’s radar.

“It was a failing level of service in our last major street plan update in our last evaluation,” Ward said. “But I understand your point.”

City Manager James Mills said the city is able to walk away from the project, but it would still have to pay back several hundred thousand dollars. He said they believe at this point, it could be cheaper just to finish the project than just pay back the money to T-DOT.