Cookeville City Council approved a T-DOT proposal on Thursday for the project to widen North Willow Avenue from West Broad Street to West 12th Street.
City Manager James Mills said the city is required to approve a standard proposal for T-DOT projects. Mills said the proposal distinguishes what responsibilities belong to the city throughout the project.
“We’ll move utility lines, we’ll accept responsibility for the sidewalk, anything outside the curb, once it’s built, becomes the city’s responsibility, and that also indicates drainage facilities,” Mills said. “It also indicates that we will prohibit anybody from cutting the pavement, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks without approval from T-DOT.”
Mills said the proposal also requires the city to close streets indicated in project plans and transfer any right-of-ways from any city streets needed for the project. Mills said T-DOT is in the right-of-way acquisition phase with the expectation of beginning construction in 2028.
A resident asked how the project will impact traffic once construction begins. Mills said at points it will be aheadache.
“It will be pretty disruptive, no doubt about it,” Mills said. “Just like we said on other things, just hang with us, and it’s gonna be a lot better when it’s finished. Jefferson is getting close, and it is gonna be pretty nice. Another good example is 10th Street. It was a headache, but now, you know, that’s something we are really proud of, and it really carries a lot of traffic. Same thing here.”
Mills said the project is making good progress, but the proposed construction date of 2028 is probably a little early.
“I think right-of-way is gonna take at least two years,” Mills said. “It’s a very complicated project. There are a lot of different right-of-ways that have to be obtained, a lot of different properties that are gonna be impacted, so I would think it’s a minimum of two years from now.”
Council Member Ali Bagci said Franklin Avenue will be utilized a lot as an alternative route during construction since it goes from 12th Street to Broad Street.
In other business, the council approved several committee members. Phil Staton will replace Jim Cobb on the Sewer Regulations Appeals Board, Lauren Metts was reappointed to the Cookeville Planning Commission, James Dial and Michael DetWiler were reppointed to to the board of Zoning Appeals, and Cathy Lamb and Lee Carney were reappointed to the Historic Zoning Commission.
Council approved the second and final reading of rezoning 208 East Stevens Street from Single Family and Duplex Residential to Local Commercial.
Council approved a budget amendment for the Animal Control Board. the amndement was to accommodate an estimated $425,000 to purchase the spay and neuter clinic property located on 180 Miller Road.
Council approved a one-time purchase of wetland credits for the new energy facility.
Council awarded an estimated $16,500 bid for a grinder pump procurement for the Water Quality Control Department.
Council held a second and final public hearing for the city’s plan to expand it’s urban growth boundary. No comments or changes were made. The council then approved a resolution to appoint the Putnam County Joint Economic and Community Development Board as the County Growth Planning Coordinating Committee for the county.