Visions of a new year, goals to reach by 2030 from Williams, FMPC chair Holladay
Town Center and other commercial developments command the attention of Farragut leaders as they look at 2020 and the next decade.
Mayor Ron Williams and Farragut Municipal Planning Commission chairwoman Rita Holladay are optimistic of the Town’s development prospects going into 2020.
“We’ve got a lot of projects that are on the horizon — I’d like to see all that finished,” Williams said.
In 2020, he expects all the old Town buildings will be gone.
“We still lack the Broadway Lumber Company across from Anytime Fitness and the old Kroger (buildings),” Williams said. “We know what’s going to happen there. That’s going to be part of the Town Center.
“I’d like to see that under way in 2020. That’s one of the big things we’d like to see.”
He added another project he would like to see under way is McFee Park.
By 2030, Williams said he would like to see all of the Town Center finished and all parks and other facilities up to date.
“At that point, of course, I won’t be in charge. Somebody else will be,” he said.
Looking at current projects, Holladay said she’s excited about work on the Ingles center.
“Their façade looks really good now, and I’m excited about getting some businesses into that,” she said.
“I don’t know what is going to happen, but something is going to happen at the old Kroger area,” Holladay added. “We haven’t heard a time frame (on that project), but something is going to happen soon. I’m really excited about that.
“It’s been an area that has looked a little rough, has been neglected and lots and lots of people in the Town have been interested in going in there,” she conceded, adding she also has heard there has been a lot of interest in the old Ingles.
She also is eager to see completion of the proposed development at former Phillips 66 convenience store site.
Looking forward to the next 10 years, Holladay said she foresees development of the former Kroger site taking some time to complete.
“It is not going to be finished next year. It’s going to be done in phases, I’ve heard,” she said.
“I’d like to see that done and done well. A couple of people who do know more about it are pleased with what they’ve heard,” Holladay added. “I know (Farragut Community Development director) Mark (Shipley) is pleased with what he’s heard.”
She also would like to see something done about the traffic along Kingston Pike. However, “a lot of that is completely out of the hands of the Town of Farragut, not only from building going on in other sections of Loudon County and Knox County, but also the fact some of the highways are state highways, and we really don’t have a lot of or any input into that,” she said.
Moreover, “Lots of people stop me and say something about the traffic now,” Holladay added.
“But Ron Williams is really good at working with other entities with getting things done.”
