Alcoa officials pleased with projects under way in city
By Iva Butlerof The Daily Times Staff
Originally published: July 16. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: July 15. 2009 8:12PM
Even with the downturn in the economy, Alcoa City Commission is enthusiastic about the projects going on in the city of Alcoa.
It was announced Friday that a deal has been reached with Kinsey Probasco Hays (KPH) and International Risk Group (IRG), ALCOA Inc. and the city of Alcoa to develop 350 acres of the old West Plant property beside Alcoa High School.
Alcoa West Redevelopment is to be a multi-use development, including commercial, residential, recreation, office, hotel and medical uses.
The project, which is expect to total $500 million or more at build-out, is expected to take at least 10 years to complete.
At the Alcoa City Commission meeting Tuesday night, Alcoa Mayor Don Mull said "the West Plant redevelopment project has been in the works for 12 years."
In addition to the West Plant property, the retail Hamilton Crossing development is still being done in phases.
Developer Jay Dunlap is in the process of finalizing expansion of the road system for the development, which will run from Louisville Road to Bessemer Street near Kmart.
Once the road plan is approved, at least two announcements of future tenants are expected to be forthcoming.
In addition, Alcoa is a partner in Pellissippi Place, the research and development park located on the Jackson Farm off Old Knoxville Highway at Pellissippi Parkway in Alcoa. This is to be another multi-use facility. Partners are Alcoa, Maryville, Blount County and Knox County.
Alcoa City Manager Mark Johnson said March sales tax figures were bad and April was not good, but hopes are that May will be better and signal an economic upswing.
Open Parks zone
On another subject, the commission recently started rezoning numerous parcels Open Space/Park, but citizens were afraid the new zone meant parks were planned for those areas.
The commission approved on first reading changing the zone to Open Space, and explained that the zone includes detention/retention areas, forested areas, wetlands, wetland buffers, creek, stream or river corridors, open water bodies, ravines, bluffs, stormwater facilities, landslide hazards, as well as parks.
Approved on second and final reading was rezoning property on Hall Road and Franklin Street, property within Heather Crossing Subdivision and adjacent property and tracts along McCammon Avenue from Limited Restriction I to Residence District A and open areas to Open Space/Park. If the ordinance removing park from the zoning clears one more reading, this zone will be Open Space.
The McCammon Avenue tract behind New Midland Plaza includes the Greenway and adjacent city-owned property will all be Open Space/Park. This property incorporates a flood-prone area. The tract beside Franklin Streets will also be Open Space/Park.
West parcels rezoned
Two West Chevrolet parcels will be rezoned from Light Industrial District F to General Business District E. According to city officials, such zoning will provide a cohesive commercial corridor along this portion of Alcoa Highway. Auto sales would be a nonconforming use in District F.
The future land use plan for this area is to create a cohesive commercial corridor providing for general business type of uses.
Commission also:
Declared as surplus and authorized the sale of one 1974 Asplundh Whisper Chipper.
Authorized the purchase of transformers another year in collaboration with 19 other Tennessee Valley power distributors through June 2010. Alcoa Electric Director Eddie Tramel said this saves the city money and makes administration easier when purchasing transformers.
Approved Alcoa participation in the TML Risk Management Pool Safety Partners Loss Control Matching Grant Program. Alcoa is able to purchase safety equipment through the program, items that would be purchased with or without the grant money.
Approved on final reading zoning the annexed Crabtree property on West Hunt Road as Limited Restriction I.
Amended on final requirement for off-street parking in single and multi-family dwellings to from 2.5 to 2 parking spaces per unit.
Adopted on final reading the April 2009 edition of the Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Construction Specifications.
Approved amending the 2008-09 budgets to show actual expense and revenue figures in the different departments are balanced.
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