Progress 2014
Page 4E, Johnson City Press
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Founders Park will offer greenspace, insurance against downtown flooding By GARY B. GRAY Press Staff Writer ggray@johnsoncitypress.com
Ron Campbell/Johnson City Press
The former train depot in downtown Johnson City is being converted into Tupelo Honey Cafe.
Depot building offers character to Johnson City’s Tupelo Honey Cafe By NATHAN BAKER Press Staff Writer nbaker@johnsoncitypress.com
Renovations are in full swing at Johnson City’s historic CC&O Railroad Depot in preparation for the arrival of Asheville, N.C.’s Tupelo Honey Cafe, but the opening of the restaurant has again been delayed at the station. Marketing Director Elizabeth Sims said in February that the 104-year-old train depot has been slow to accept change, but the company is now expecting a midto late-May debut. “It’s a challenging building,” she said from the still-empty freight bay where the eatery will soon take shape. “To take this building and turn it into a restaurant is a tall order.” Before the space was turned over to Tupelo Honey, Scott Rainey, president of Rainey Contracting, said his workers discovered a larger than expected amount of rot in the bay’s roof, setting the project back a month or two. Now that crews for local contractor Mitch Cox Companies have taken over to finish the space for the restaurant, Sims said electricians are running wiring and preparing the space to move in all the needed furniture and fixtures. Eventually, the Johnson City Tupelo Honey will have an open performance kitchen in the center of the bay, with a prep kitchen on the side closest to Buffalo Street. The main entrance will be on the opposite end, near the outdoor platform, where some alfresco dining and a fireplace will be set up. The bar is planned on the same side as the entrance door with a special, Johnson City-specific display. Sims said Fred Alsop, director of East Tennessee State University’s George L. Carter Railroad Museum, has been commissioned to oversee the building of a working model showing off the city’s railroad heritage. Alsop said the 16-feet-by-3-feet model affixed to a community table where bar patrons can wait, will have five moving trains representing the Clinchfield, Southern and East Tennessee and North Carolina (Tweetsie) railroads, all transportation companies that served the city during the railroad boom. The model will also have trolleys and many of downtown Johnson City’s recognizable historical landmarks, including the depot in which the restaurant is taking up residence. “A lot of the buildings we’ll make as accurate as we can, but with the specific size of the table, we might have to take some
The developers are keeping the train theme and character of the building. artistic license,” Alsop said. “Hopefully it will look enough like Johnson City for people to be able to recognize it.” A team of his fellow model railroad enthusiasts are logging many hours perfecting the little “Little Chicago,” he said. Like its other locations in Asheville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Charlotte, N.C., and Greenville, S.C., Sims said the dining room will feature a local flavor with memorabilia and photographs designed to tell Johnson City’s narrative. The dining space will seat approximately 230 people, Sims said, and will employ between 80 and 100 workers. While parking in the downtown area is at a premium, there should be enough for those diners, even during the rushes. Parking lots adjacent to the depot and across Buffalo are open to patrons, and Sims said a neighboring building owner has offered the use of his lot as overflow during off-business hours. Although it’s presented its challenges, Sims said building in the century-old depot was the right move for Tupelo Honey. “It’s a wonderful structure,” she said. “It’s already got so much personality, we really don’t need to do a whole lot to make it interesting.” A central part of Johnson City’s downtown revitalization, the Southern fusion restaurant landed on the depot location two summers ago, planning for a fall 2013 opening. Sevierville attorney and entrepreneur Joe Baker purchased the historic depot from the Johnson City Development Authority in 2012 for $5,000. With the local location online, the chain’s stable will include seven restaurants, in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Greenville, S.C., Charlotte and two in Asheville.
Completion of Johnson City’s 5-acre, $5 million Founders Park project along West State of Franklin Road is one high point in a series of projects in a roughly $30 million long-term flood mitigation plan. First identified years ago by the city’s Downtown Stormwater Task Force and the Washington County Economic Development Council as necessary to help alleviate flooding problems at various sections of Brush Creek, the park’s overall value to the community is much more than moving water. “The nice thing about it is it’s open space for downtown, and I expect you’ll see a lot of people out and about here,” said Public Works Director Phil Pindzola. “What people will have to do is adjust to the venue. It’s critical for downtown to have a place for events. Developers and existing businesses love it.” The new stone walls enable the opened creek to carry much more water during heavy rain events. But the project also serves other purposes, including a new downtown greenspace area where some of the park’s more visual and useful components begin at the park’s midpoint and continue north, including cascading waterfalls. Five-ton stones support a channel and pipe that collects and deposits runoff from the Tree Streets into the creek at about the midway point. Sidewalks circle the park, and visitors can enter the park at
three main locations: Tipton Street, where underground utilities are going in and extra parking is being created; Sevier Street; and via a sidewalk that connects the coming Farmers Market and what used to be a section of Wilson Avenue. Tupelo Honey has donated art that will be placed at the two ends of the park, and there will be plazas at either end. Underground wiring has been installed at and around the new amphitheater and light poles are on the way that will illuminate a large area. The Johnson City Public Art Committee is very near the lease of 14 to 15 sculptures that will be positioned throughout the park. At the end of the park nearest downtown, sidewalks encircle the amphitheater, which includes a concrete stage roughly 30 feet in diameter. A new bridge has been placed on the south side of the creek, and it’s easy to envision visitors standing there, on the sidewalks, on the stone walls, on the new grass banks and in the amphitheater during various events. Thomas Construction is the project’s general contractor, and the estimated final cost for construction is about $2.8 million. When engineering, permitting and property acquisition is figured in, the total estimated cost is about $5 million. The task force was formed in 2007, and the site was one of the very first targeted for major repairs. Two years ago, the city issued about $6 million in debt to begin this project and to pay for peripheral flood mitigation projects, such as the McClure Street sump and the Boone Street deten-
Cook’s Mechanical Services Cook’s Mechanical Services is a single source solution for all of your HVAC needs. They offer a wide array of services that are designed to help facilities operate efficiently and economically. First opening their doors in the Tri-Cities 29 years ago, they’ve been on call ever since waiting to tackle any problems that might be had with HVAC repairs. Their growing business has required them to hire seven new employees since last year and has allowed them to see a growth in sales of $600,000 over the same time. This is only the beginning for their business over the next five years as they begin to tackle the newest technology in the field. Building automations are the next big thing for the consumer, which is a convenient way for a business to control their lighting, alarm systems, and thermostats all from their phone or
computer from anywhere in the world. CMS, as they are known, doesn’t grow without the community’s support, which is something they know. That’s why they have given thousands of dollars to local charities like the Shriners, Boys and Girls Club, Dawn of Hope and Young Life. They’ve also sponsored many community service projects like an Eagle Scouts project at Wheeler United Methodist Church and other sponsorships with local sporting teams and schools. They know they wouldn’t be here without you. For more information on CMS, visit their website at www.cms-hvac.com or give them a call at (423) 323-2665. P.O. Box 701 Blountville, TN 37617 (423) 323-2665 www.cms-hvac.com
Lee Talbert/Johnson City Press
Founders Park construction is nearing the end with an improved waterway for Brush Creek. tion pond, using money from stormwater fee revenues to carry the load. Don Mauldin, Knoxville’s Lamar Dunn & Associates’ executive vice president and lead consultant/engineer for the city’s $30 million long-range flood mitigation plan, had his first conversation with commissioners about flooding in 2008. In 2009, he rolled out refined and reconfigured plans of the overall project a number of times.
Prior to the City Commission’s vote in 2012 to start on Founders Park, Mauldin explained how a large box culvert underneath a large concrete slab at the site would be opened to reduce the current dramatic downward rate at which it flows. In addition, the new configuration reveals an open creek with waterfalls that drop water in 2-foot increments. “This will allow Brush Creek to flood but not get out of its banks,” he said at the time.
Dempsey’s Jewelers This family-owned jewelry store had its beginning in 1976 when Dempsey himself created a jewelry repair shop. In 1993, he opened a retail store on Knob Creek Road. Having outgrown that location, Dempsey’s moved into their current location at 3018 Peoples Street in 2009. Service is always paramount at Dempsey’s. Whether you are purchasing that special diamond engagement ring, having a piece custom made, or having your family heirloom repaired, they put personal attention into each piece. They take great pride in their attention to detail. Over the past years, Dempsey’s has strived to keep state of the art equipment in both the repair shop and in the custom design center. They offer unparalleled resources in their custom jewelry design center. The possibilities are endless when it comes to design potential. CAD CAM designing and 3D printing of waxes is available onsite.
They design, they carve, or grow your own wax model; they finish and set your stones... all in their facilities. Dempsey’s displays a wonderful array of hand-selected, unique jewelry. Some of the quality designer lines include Simon G, Pandora, Le Vian, Galatea, Mastoloni, Benchmark, Tissot, and many more! You will also find Dempsey’s own jewelry designs created right here in Johnson City. In 2013, Dempsey’s was voted the #1 Jewelry Store in the Johnson City Press for the fourth year in a row. They also added one Full-time employee, now totaling 13 employees. These include two GIA diamond graduates, four full-time bench jewelers, and one full-time CAD designer. Sincerity and friendliness abound, and your business is always appreciated , regardless of the transaction. Trust, honesty, professionalism, and confidence are evident at Dempsey’s. This is the Dempsey’s Difference.
Selling Real Books with Real Pages in Johnson City Since 1998!
Mr. K’s Used Books, CDs & More Johnson City’s Largest Used Book Store
BUY – SELL – TRADE
BOOKS • CDs • DVDs • VIDEO GAMES • BOOKS ON CD • VINYL RECORDS • COMIC BOOKS 4 MARK TWAIN COURT • JOHNSON CITY (On North Roan Street Behind Sonic)
Hrs.: Mon.-Sat. 9-9, Sunday 12-6
610-1088
Sinking Creek revitalization brings new park By TONY CASEY Bill Francisco, a founder and organizer behind a project to clean up the Sinking Creek wetlands and open a park off King Springs Road, was greatly affected by E. coli bacteria about 10 years ago when his 6-year-old son, Jacob, died after E. coli contamination. He’s worked with many groups to get the 28-acre Sinking Creek area cleaned up, to promote flowing, safe water. Working with the Boone Watershed Partnership, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and local individuals, Francisco set a goal of the park to serve as tool to educate people of the dangers of stagnant water, citing his son’s situation. He hopes students will visit an information board at the site to learn about that type of wetland ecosystem. Connie Deegan, with Johnson City Parks and Recreation, says she has plans to open up the area for trails. This has given Deegan’s interns a chance to work, and, as Deegan put it, “emphasize the cool features of the park.”
Professional HVAC Solutions For 28 Years 1-800-995-1388 Cook’s Mechanical Services is dedicated to serving our clients with exceptional performance and response. Our qualified staff are trained to resolve problems, and make your equipment run more efficiently. We provide full service commercial HVAC solutions within Tri-Cities TN, Asheville NC, Hickory NC, Nashville TN, Knoxville TN and surrounding areas. Our Vision is to be the leading provider of quality HVAC services through extraordinary teamwork and attitude. We are a full service HVAC solutions provider, serving Middle Tennessee, East Tennessee, Southwestern Virginia, South Carolina, and Western North Carolina. We look forward to serving you!
Our Values • Respect: We will always treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. We will form partnerships based on mutual trust. We will treat our environment with care in the conservation practices and services we offer and in the work we perform. • Communications: We will always communicate with one another and take the time to listen and to understand the needs and concerns of others. • Integrity: We will always be open and fair in all our dealings with our customers. We will be honest and committed to quality. We will pledge all of our efforts to deliver what we promised. • Excellence: We will always be committed to excellence in everything we do.