Local residents and leaders celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Leslie Town Centre Tuesday night.
The Public Building Authority is responsible for the building. Board of Directors Chair Jim Martin said 20 years ago, the Chamber Director Eldon Leslie saw a need for a public meeting place.
“Eldon being Eldon says I am tired of moving chairs around at our meetings,” Martin said. “I’m tired of people standing around a wall without a place a to sit down. He did. He set out to do that.”
Martin said he was new to Cookeville fresh from Memphis when the idea arose. Martin said Leslie told him that Martin would be a part of this project. Martin said that’s exactly what happened.
“Long story short is next thing we knew we were looking at this property,” Martin said.
Martin said the building has been a staple for the downtown area ever since it opened. The building has hosted weddings, baby showers and several non-profit events over the years. One of those being the Mistletoe Market that will be held in November for its 19th year.
Martin said he recalled the building being constructed and the digging involved. Martin said the building today stands on several layers of shot rock due to the muck found under the ground during construction.
“I thought they would never finish bringing rock to fill that up,” Martin said. “That is where we are right now. There was a lot that went into this.”
Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Amy New said the building will receive some improvements soon. New said the outdoor electronic sign will be getting replaced in October.
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