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VOL. 5, NO. 12
MARCH 21, 2011
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Gardening, decor and more!
FEATURED F CO COLUMNIST L LARRY VAN GUILDER
Power play See Larry’s take on legislation introduced by Sen. Stacey Campfield to expand the powers of the county mayor at the expense of county commission. And look for Sandra Clark’s interview with Commissioner Richard Briggs. See A-4 and A-5
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Pensions?? Town of Farragut officials are debating changes in employee pensions that include a defined benefit. Natalie Lester has the details on A-2
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Chris Griffis, Gander Mountain zone apparel supervisor, shows where the store will expand to add the shooting academy. Photo by N. Lester
Live fire at Gander Mountain Farragut retailer to add shooting range By Natalie Lester Gander Mountain will expand to add a shooting academy, which will hold five lanes of live fire and five lanes of simulation. “This will be a state of the art and very high tech range,” said Chris Griffis, the store’s zone apparel supervisor. “It’s really the first time a facility like this will be available to the public.” The range is not the only change the store will undertake. As part of the makeover, electronics will be relocated to the center of the store. “The store is going to look less like a warehouse store and more like a one-on-one custom outdoor shop,” Griffis said. The Farragut location is one of eight Gander stores nationwide to receive the upgrade. Griffis recently visited the renovated Greensboro, N.C., location and was impressed with what he saw. “It’s a very nice and needed update that brings a fresher look,” he said. Last Thursday, the Farragut Municipal Planning Commission approved Gander’s plan to expand the east end of the building, which will remove a row of parking and the current outdoor storage.
Mission impossible? Ray probes for a Midway solution By Larry Van Guilder On a recent Friday afternoon downtown, the irresistible force met the immovable object. Between the two stood Gloria Ray, president and CEO of the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation. You don’t go to
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Analysis work in a building that bears your name unless you’ve carved more than a few notches on your gun, but finding an accommodation to suit both Midway community residents and The Development Corporation may be impossible even for the redoubtable Ray. “By design,” Ray said, “there are no politicians in this group.” Yet even without the schisms created by political affiliations, the gulf between what the community wants and what TDC insists it must have is vast.
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The renovations will add between 10,000 and “With a lot of development, you get a lot more flooding potential,” she said. 11,000 square feet to the existing structure. Fretz Road at Campbell Station: A “It is great to see there are areas that want to expand,” said Dot LaMarche, Farragut vice lengthy discussion with the Brandywine subdivision developers punctuated the meeting. mayor. “It is very good for the economy. Ultimately, the MPC approved the improvement plan including the $205,000 letter of Also at MPC Taco Bell: The Farragut location will get credit, which sparked the debate. Investor and developer Bruce Matzel ara new look. MPC approved the restaurant’s plan to remodel the exterior of its building gued the letter of credit should be reduced, to remain consistent with the company’s new because no gas lines need to be moved and brand. For safety reasons, the entrance at the grading work will be less than what the town had priced. However, Hawk and assistant town drive-thru window will be eliminated. Flooding: Community Development Direc- administrator Gary Palmer stood behind town engineer Darryl Smith’s figure. tor Ruth Hawk highlighted the success of the “This issue has been discussed over and town’s building elevation requirements during the recent rain. Though water rose quickly over. The recommendation is correct,” Palmer during February’s flash floods, it also speedily said. Primrose School: A new childcare facilireceded. ty’s site plan was also approved. Clemens Prop“Our consultant said the flood [on Feb. erties Inc. is set to construct Primrose School 21] did exactly what the models said,” she reon Coach Road at the corner of Kingston Pike ported. “It’s nice to know our regulations are and Old Stage Road. The site will provide key working. links in the town’s walking trails, but will also “Our goal is to prevent property damage by remove some large trees and other shrubbery requiring buildings to be elevated.” from the property. The trees, however, have Hawk said the town would be updating its been stressed by utility and town work. Hawk requirements, because increased development said she would not be surprised if they were dead by fall regardless of the school’s plans. has led to a 3-foot change in the flood plain.
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The 18-member ad hoc committee is an eclectic group, with representatives from the private sector, ORNL, UT, the Knoxville Chamber and TDC, a quasi-governmental organization. Early in the committee’s initial meeting, Tom Ballard, who heads the partnership directorate at ORNL, encapsulated Ray’s dilemma when he said, “It’s unclear to me whether we can even form a consensus.” Bob Wolfenbarger, who has been a leader in opposing TDC’s plan for a business park, said the community has “a vision” of where it wants to go. “The land, in our opinion, belongs to Knox County’s citizens,” he said, and asked rhetorically what one would do with 380 acres along with the funds TDC had initially set aside to develop the property. Speaking as chair of The Development Corporation, Roger Osborne said, “We’re coming here with an open mind,” seeking an “effective economic development plan for Knox County” that will create jobs. But Osborne quickly revealed TDC’s “open mind” has limits:
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“We paid $25,000 an acre for that land, and we intend to get our money back.” Ray (literally) strung a clothesline in the meeting room and pinned a piece of paper reading “Midway Business Park” at one end and a second piece reading “Ochs Center Report” and “USDA Farm Presentation” at the other. Before the meeting was over, the space between was filled with ideas including “Sustainable City,” “Solar Farm Switchgrass,” “Business Incubator,” “Retail Outlet” and “Farmers Market and Teaching Center.” Elaine Clark, president of the French Broad Preservation Association, noted that opportunities “in the middle” hadn’t been studied, and Ray gamely tried to address that deficiency. Ray suggested using at least part of the land for a demonstration city boasting the latest in energy-efficient housing that might include a solar research facility or a solar product manufacturer within its boundary. She speculated that the “10 million tourists” who visit the Smokies might be attracted to
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such an innovative project. But Ray is in a tough spot, dangling green enticements for the opponents of the business park while simultaneously acknowledging the importance of return on investment for TDC. Where the “twain shall meet” is far from clear. For at least some of those who fought the Midway development for the past decade, nothing short of the dissolution of TDC and the return of its assets to Knox County would prove satisfactory. The Chamber, the TDC hierarchy and local power brokers would fight desperately to stave that off, and dissolving the corporation would require approval of its board of directors. That won’t happen except under enormous political pressure from the highest office in Knox County, although in the past Mayor Tim Burchett has hinted that the responsibility for economic development rightfully rests with the county’s executive branch. For TDC, then, the strategy seems clear: wait. Wait for a friendlier reception on County Commission, or wait for your opponents to tire out. If Ray can find a middle ground, she’ll be the unanimous selection for “Woman of the Year.” Move over, Katherine Hepburn.
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