Hankster

I'm from East Tennessee currently, so I voted in the East Tennessee section. However, I've lived most of my life until the past 3 years in the Nashville area, so I have quite a bit of interest in what's going on there. I'm a Tennessean through and through and I have considerable interest in the West Tennessee area as well.

I fly frequently between Chattanooga and Northwest Arkansas. Lately the skies have been incredibly clear, and I've been able to see the entire Nashville Metro looking out to the north from the plane. It really does look like a giant starfish only except it has four main legs, instead of five...one extending southeast to Murfreesboro...one extending south to Franklin and beyond...one extending east to Lebanon and one extending north to Gallatin. It's quite a sight to see. Along the legs you can bulges of lights emanating from the centers of the surrounding cities. You can still pick out LaVerge from Smyrna from Murfreesboro and you can still pick out Brentwood from Franklin from Spring Hill. Over time, it just might all blur together into one huge mass of lights. If it does, we WILL be another Atlanta.

I wouldn't be surprised that the Medical Center Parkway area where this hotel is going doesn't turn into the next explosive growth area in Metro Nashville (ala Cool Springs). I think this development is the proverbial "Tip of the Iceberg".

Job growth this past year was an astounding 9+ percent, highest in the nation. Once the ball get's rolling like that, the new jobs will generate new buying power into the area which will, in turn, attract even more new jobs. There's quite a boom going on in Rutherford county!

Thanks for the Murfreesboro shots! Excellent job! I have a daughter who a Sophomore at MTSU, so I go into the 'Boro pretty frequently these days. It has some really nice neighborhoods; and, as I'm sure everyone knows, is really booming. Watch out along the Medical Center Parkway. The development over there is going to be crazy!

I'm afraid my college years have long passed me by. Heck, I've got a daughter finishing up Graduate school this year. Southern is a really nice school with a beautiful campus. I'm personally not an Adventist so I have to ask......Is Andrews an Adventist supported school?

Murfreesboro is most definitely the 6th largest city in Tennessee. According to the US Census estimates released for July 1, 2004, it was at 81,511, and should hit 100,000 by 2010. The census estimate show 27 Tennessee cities in 2004 with at least 20,000 people. Interestingly, exactly one-third of them, 9 (see asterisks) are located in the Nashville MSA. More than 850,000 people live in these nine cities. Here's the list: 1. Memphis...............671,929 2. Nashville...............546,719* 3. Knoxville...............178,118 4. Chattanooga..........154,853 5. Clarksville.............108,972 6. Murfreesboro..........81,511* 7. Jackson..................61,772 8. Johnson City...........57,812 9. Franklin..................48,191* 10. Kingsport..............44,070 11. Hendersonville......43,866* 12. Bartlett.................42,865 13. Cleveland.............37,746 14. Germantown.........37,555 15. Collierville............36,562 16. Columbia..............33,599 17. Smyrna................31,925* 18. Brentwood............30,586* 19. Cookeville.............27,648 20. Oak Ridge.............27,298 21. Gallatin.................25,653* 22. Maryville...............25,569 23. Morristown............25,462 24. Bristol...................24,933 25. La Vergne.............24,811* 26. Lebanon................22,452* 27. East Ridge.............20,010 By the way, in a very short time, another city in the Nashville MSA will be joining the list - Spring Hill

Wow! An article from that site is predicting Chattanooga's Enterprise South will land an Audi or BMW plant (closly guarded secret as to which manufacturer it is). They say there's really only one other contender, Limestone, AL. Here's the article: Editorial Kia Deal is revealed. Now, what about Project Pine Tree? By Mike Randle If you logged onto www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com in the summer you may have read an editorial we wrote titled "Babbling about Project Pine Tree is Baffling Us." While that article was not published in SB&D the magazine, we will review it here. In the editorial we wrote that most people believe that Project Pine Tree is the Kia project. We disagreed, pointing out that Kia would never look at sites near Huntsville or Chattanooga for a plant, two sites that we believe are at the top of the list for the Pine Tree project. Why would Kia not consider those two sites? Almost all of Hyundai's suppliers (Kia's parent company) are located south of Birmingham, Ala., with most of those located south of Montgomery. If Kia built an assembly plant in north Alabama or near Chattanooga, most of the Korean suppliers, which have already set up shop in Alabama, would have to go through Montgomery and Birmingham to reach north Alabama or Chattanooga and there's no chance of that happening. Now that we know that Kia has circled Meridian, Miss., on the map for its first U.S. assembly plant, something we wrote they would do in the winter 2003/2004 edition of Southern Business & Development, we'd like to once again turn our attention to Pine Tree. At a gathering of political and economic development officials in Tennessee during the summer, Tennessee Rep. Zach Wamp said that a "next generation" automotive plant is coming soon to Chattanooga's Enterprise South super industrial site. Of course it was Sen. Trent Lott who said early in 2004 that Kia is the next automaker to call the Southern Automotive Corridor home and Mississippi is going to get them (Kia). Now, if Lott's prediction comes true, as we believe it will, how can you discount what Wamp said this summer? We believe that Project Pine Tree is the automotive plant Wamp is referring to. And we believe that automaker is a German company, either Audi or BMW. As mentioned, we never believed Project Pine Tree was Kia. The reason why is simple. Kia, nor Hyundai, can keep a secret. As mentioned, we wrote Kia was to announce a plant in Meridian, Miss., in December of 2003 and that plant would be announced in the spring of 2006 (see this editorial). In contrast, Pine Tree is the best kept project secret we have ever seen. That being the case, it's certainly not a Korean automaker. The last time an automaker kept a deal this close to the vest was Mercedes-Benz in 1993. For example, the day before Mercedes announced it would build its first U.S. plant in Vance, Ala., articles were published in North Carolina celebrating the project's announcement in Mebane, N.C. So, where are we with Project Pine Tree? Well, we're getting closer, albeit slowly, to an answer. Since site visits were confirmed in Limestone County, Ala. (near Huntsville) and Chattanooga, Tenn., in the spring, we have had little to go on regarding Pine Tree other than a rumored visit in June to a site in northeast Louisiana. In other words, if Pine Tree is a deal and not a dog, then a short list of two sites may have already been determined; Limestone County, Ala. and Chattanooga, Tenn. Project Pine Tree is so confidential we may have to pass on a prediction regarding the project. That's a tough thing for us to admit considering our track record regarding automotive assembly plant projects. But, we'll go out on a limb on this one. We'll stick with our original prediction made in the spring; Audi in Chattanooga, Tenn. But if it turns out to be BMW, just remember we did say "German automaker." [email protected]

I don't know her, but I'll do a little checking. If I find out anything I'll let you know. As for what may be going in Enterprise South, I haven't heard anything except rumors of a possible Auto Assembly plant, possibly Kia. I'm anxiously waiting for an announcement. If we get one, it will be huge news for the area, especially for Hamilton and Bradley Counties.

Without a doubt, the Murfreesboro line is the real plumb for the Metro Star. I'm so glad that the Lebanon leg got funded. Let's keep our fingers crossed that it will be successful. If it is, the Murfreesboro Line will get built. Because of the low up front cost for this project, I'm cautiously optimistic.

Welcome to the forum, neighbor!!! And thanks for the update on Cleveland. Cleveland is a great town and I love the location so close to the Ocoee Gorge and the southern appalachians. I work with a bunch of guys who live in Cleveland, especially since I work at McKee Foods (maker of Little Debbie snacks) in Collegedale, just a hop, skip, and a jump from you. Now, if we could only get some more participation from the rest of East Tennessee.

I found this awesome site which outlines developments just completed and currently under construction in the Downtown Chattanooga area. As you can see, the list is amazing. Chattanooga Downtown Development I've been able to find some renderings of some of the developments outlined in the article above: Cherry Street Townhomes (Beautiful Brownstones - will be completed very soon - already sold out) Museum Bluffs Condominiums ( Seven Story Condos overlooking the Tennessee River - U/C complete 2006) Here's a Link to Other Project Renderings

Does anyone have a project list or update on what's going on in Knoxville? Knoxville is the fastest growing metro area in East Tennessee, and I know there is quite a bit going on there.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield HQ will be located on top of Cameron Hill, overlooking the Central Business District and the waterfront. I've now seen a rendering for the building; but I know this site has awesome visibility. It should be an awesome project since the budget has recently been increased to about $217 Million. As soon as I see a rendering I'll post it. There are all kinds of rumors about as to who's in the running for the Chattanooga mega-site. I heard Kia was interested, but I believe I've heard they may be interested in the West Tennessee site too. If I hear anything, I'll let you know.

There's quite a bit going on in Chattanooga as well. Some significant developments include: Contruction of the 10 Story Electric Power Board Headquarters in Downtown (Completion by end of this year) Construction of $200 Million 800,000 Sq Ft Headquarters for Blue Cross Blue Shield (Start Jan. '06) Development of Enterprise South Industrial Mega-Site (rumored in the running for large Auto Assembly Plant) Expansion of US Express corporate headquarters adding 1,000 jobs (U/C) $2.1 Billion in Construction from early 2001 to early 2005. $120 Million Waterfront Project and Aquarium Expansion - Complete this summer Construction of several downtown condo projects including a seven story condo downtown next to Aquarium. These are but some of the developments. The Chamber of Commerce web site lists some of the significant developments over the last few years. For details of any of the projects listed below just click this link: Chattanooga Projects SEPTEMBER 2005 Sulzer Pumps Expands, Adds New Jobs AUGUST 2005 Wrigley Creates New Jobs, Expands Chattanooga Facility T-Mobile Brings 700 Jobs to Chattanooga JUNE 2005 Ford Motor Chairman and CEO Lauds Local Innovation American Eagle Begins Service Between Chattanooga and Dallas/Fort Worth cre824 Brings Web's Best to Scenic City MAY 2005 Enterprise South Industrial Park Certified in TVA Megasite Program Twice Daily Flights From Chattanooga to Houston Starting in October APRIL 2005 City, County Take Control of Remaining Land at Enterprise South DUSA Announces Partners with City and County to Keep Jobs in Area FEBRUARY 2005 Wind Tower Manufacturer Will Add 150 Jobs in Three Years BlueCross BlueShield Announces $200 Million Campus in Downtown Chattanooga City Enjoys $2.1 Billion in Investment Since April 2001 JANUARY 2005 LJT Tennessee Plans $7.38 Million Expansion Chattanooga Airport Gains Additional Flights Clarity Introduces New Continuous Service Phone for Hearing- Impaired OCTOBER 2004 Kingdom Media Launches New Concept in Billboard Advertising SEPTEMBER 2004 Mayor Bob Corker Outlines Programming for New 23 Acre Park EPB Puts More Than One Million Dollars Back into Local Community Smart Furniture Closes Venture Capital Funding NewRoads Announces Business Expansion Plans AUGUST 2004 AAkron Rule Corporation Expands in Hamilton County TMIO Locates Manufacturing Operation in Chattanooga Tricycle Receives Venture Capital Funding Interstate Interchange for Enterprise South Underway Enterprise South Closer to Megasite Certification Clarity Dedicates New Headquarters in Chattanooga Techno-Visionary Keynoter at Chamber Annual Meeting JUNE 2004 Tricycle Wins Third NeoCon Award Luxury Hotel Company Assumes Sheraton Read House Management MAY 2004 U.S. Xpress Expansion Adds Up to 1000 New Jobs AquaShield Wins Kruesi Award at Chamber Innovation Event APRIL 2004 Southern Living Calls Chattanooga "Little City that Could" NuMarkets Opens EBay Center in Chattanooga Inc. Magazine Features First Enterprise South Tenant Smart Furniture Honored for Customer Service TAG Manufacturing Locates at Enterprise South Industrial Park FEBRUARY 2004 Tennessee Rand Announces Expansion Plans JANUARY 2004 State Lottery Director Keynote Speaker at Chamber Luncheon Krystal offers WiFi Internet Access in Lee Highway Restaurant DECEMBER 2003 Chattanooga's Going Places as 'Belle of the Ball' Governor Hails Enterprise South as a Premiere Industrial Site Chattanooga Honored as Bike-Friendly City Enterprise Center Receives $3.5 Million NOVEMBER 2003 Governor, Mayors Officiate at Enterprise South Milestone Ceremony EPB Wins Award for Annual Reports South Korean Tourist Spot is Chattanooga's New Sister City EPB Telecom Offers Fast, Fiber-optic Internet Service Southern Living Applauds Chattanooga and Tennessee Ballet OCTOBER 2003 Chamber Fields Team to Visit, Assist Businesses in Six Counties Margaret Callihan Named ATHENA AWARD Recipient Four Chattanooga Companies Selected for Venture Forum Work to Begin on I-75 Interchange for Enterprise South Ruth Holmberg Featured at ATHENA Luncheon SEPTEMBER 2003 Campaign Launched to Brand Chattanooga as a Great Business City Chattanooga Hosts Tennessee Valley Technology Summit Chamber Video, Web Site Honored by IDEC in Cincinnati World Trade Society Formed to Promote Business, Cultural Relationships AUGUST 2003 Tennessee Valley Technology Corridor Summit set for Oct. 5 JUNE 2003 EPB Breaks Ground on New 10 Story Downtown Office Building

No question the rapid growth of Murfreesboro is adding significantly to the area's sprawl, but I haven't got an answer either. As you said, Murfreesboro is almost totally a suburban community. I would definitely like the city to try to develop it's urban aspects as much as possible, as it grows. It needs to thinks of itself as an urban center like Nashville does and try to develop accordingly. Having said that, I betcha that Medical Center Parkway is totally built up in only about five years. The growth out there is spectacular.

I think NW Arkansas will have to do something like Nashville is proposing the get light rail going. Nashville is using an existing rail line to convert to a 30 mile long commuter line. This project is under construction and will only cost something like 30 million dollars! They found used rail cars for the project and only had to pay $1, believe it or not. I just don\'t think that there is the political will to spend a billion dollars for light rail in your area. This earlier post details the Nashville project. Here\'s a rendering of the Riverfront Station. The other five stations on the line have been designed and approved, but as far as I can tell no technical drawings for the Riverfront Station have been finalized--and presently it is the biggest unforseen delay. Things are proceeding however.