Cookeville officials set to approve a right-of-way land exchange to allow for the extension of Guardian Way to Salem Church Road as part of the new Veterans Affairs clinic project.
Community Development Director Jon Ward said the current street design poses issues.
“There’s still potentially some significant developable property there,” Ward said, “And Guardian Way would extend to Salem Road, Salem Church Road, we’ve required the VA, the engineers for the VA to provide an appropriate alignment for that street and demo the cul-de-sac.”
Ward said the city will trade the unnecessary land from the cul-de-sac for the property needed from the neighboring owners. Ward said the project requires acquiring property from Golden Oak Dentistry and Cookeville Church of Christ.
One council member said the new plan results in a better street design by removing the cul-de-sac from the middle of the road.
Ward said the water quality department confirmed utility movement may be necessary.
“And so we would probably be retaining some easement areas just to move the utilities to continue the utilities through that,” Ward said. “But that’s the action I’m requesting authorization from Council for and happy to answer any questions anybody has.”