Tennessee Smoky Mountain Area News
Sevierville Tennessee Downtown Parking Lot
Plans have been in the works for sometime to build a multi-story parking lot downtown Sevierville Tennessee. The plans were put on hold partially due to the extra costs demanded by the selected construction company. The plans call for restrooms to be built, landscaping to be added, and now a stage built on top of the restrooms. Guess this is a great way to save space, but sure hope the winds work in favor of the stage.
Sevierville hosts many events, such as the Bloomin Barbecue, each year. They have been held in the Sevier County Court House parking lot and next to the Sevier County Civic Center. Getting a stage for many of these events is surely only a matter of time and money.
Veterans Boulevard Extended
Sevier County’s Public Building Authority (PBA) are busy little beavers. They have their focus on extending Veterans Boulevard from where it currently dumps onto Dolly Parton Parkway and taking it across the river to Robert Henderson Road.
The PBA plans to pay for design of rights of way for all 3 planned phases at once. This will include a section of road that will cut over back to the traffic light on Hwy 66 across from the Sevierville Convention Center.
One of the hold ups is promises from large scaled development projects along the PBA corridor to either resume their construction projects or begin in tandem with the road extension. Much of the tax dollars collected from these businesses is what will help pay back the debts incurred by the Veterans Boulevard extension. One of the key projects they want on board to resume building is the Dumplin Creek development, near Exit 407. Dumplin Creek has gotten WalMart to agree to build, but is looking for more such tenants to anchor the area and make it profitable to build. Efforts are being made by the developer of Dumplin Creek and others to get an Exit 408 constructed.
When construction will actually take place is unsure, however it is sure to come quicker than was expected. The need is there for visitors to the area and the developers alike.
Sevierville Indoor Yard Sale
City of Sevierville is holding an Indoor Yard Sale at the Sevierville Civic Center, 200 Gary R Wade Blvd, Sevierville, TN (865) 453-5441, from 8am to 2pm Saturday Oct 16th. Plenty of booths for your indoor shopping enjoyment!
Smoky Mountains National Park Bear Reduction
As of this writing, Bear Hunting Season is only 2 weeks in and a reported 187 bears have been thinned from the Smokies area, nearly twice as many this time last year. Last year a total of 446 bears were hunted.
Haunted House Kodak
Boys and Girls Club in Kodak will host a Haunted House this Friday and Saturday from 7:30p.m. to 11p.m. at 4125 Douglas Dam Road, Admission is $5. For more info call 933-3718.
New Center Elementary School
The Sevier County School system has closed the deal on 22 acres, on Newport Highway across from Sims Tractors. Despite school funds being down by $700,000. School officials are looking forward to the .25 Sales Tax increase that will add millions annually towards the schools’ capital needs and capital debt payment.
Property values in the area have decreased dramatically, so tax values of properties should decrease. The large numbers of foreclosed investment properties available in the area has forced domicile home values down as well. This of course works great for investors and people who always wished they could live in the Smokies.
Dollywood - American Eagle Foundation
An Eaglet released by the American Eagle Foundation, at Dollywood Theme Park, was spotted in Pennsylvania near Lake Erie. It is great to see that the work they are performing at the American Eagle Foundation. Maybe through their dedicated efforts and valuable supporters, we once again may see American Eagles fly alongside our cars as we journey highways to our vacation destinations. Bravo Zulu, Great Job!
