Kingsport, What drives you nuts? (mover, houses, job market)

[quietmum]

I can see what you love about this area but I am curious what don't you like? Do you feel the city/ people/ schools/ traffic/ (you pick) have any real downfalls or issues that should be addressed or noted?
I've caught wind of a few, for example the "smell" from Eastman (most notibly) bad air pollution (which is a little scary) and some mention a slow job market. What are your true opinions as locals?

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by quietmum

I can see what you love about this area but I am curious what don't you like? Do you feel the city/ people/ schools/ traffic/ (you pick) have any real downfalls or issues that should be addressed or noted?
I've caught wind of a few, for example the "smell" from Eastman (most notibly) bad air pollution (which is a little scary) and some mention a slow job market. What are your true opinions as locals?

Hello, Good question.
Sure there are some negatives to every city/town, show me a perfect one and I'll move there now hahahahaha!
As for Kingsport City I would have to say the roads leading to the downtown area could use some cosmetic work. The downtown area is really nice and the revitalization work over the past year have been very successful but some of the properties leading to that area really need some work as well.
Eastman isn't the prettiest of industrial plants and it being a few miles long and right there,....well, but it is the largest employer in the area.
From what I understand the Sullivan County schools (not city) need to come up to par a bit.
Well, that's my 2 cents, hope it helped.

[Joe P]

The smell of Eastman when you're downwind is terrible. It's sort of a combination of copper and sour milk. You only notice it when you're fairly close to the plant though, it's not like it effects a widespread area.

[AppalachianAngler]

Originally Posted by Joe P

The smell of Eastman when you're downwind is terrible. It's sort of a combination of copper and sour milk. You only notice it when you're fairly close to the plant though, it's not like it effects a widespread area.

Yeah, I always thought it smelled like nail polish remover. Other than that Kingsport is not too bad.

[jjbradleynyc]

Nothing being built on cement hill has always driven me nuts. Honestly, lol. I grew up in Kingsport and every time I visit relatives, I see that freakin' barren little hill rising up above downtown. Can't they build something on it? It's an eyesore.

[maui4me]

Cement Hill actually had a number of homes on it up until the early 1980's. They were built eons ago for the management and some employees of the old Penn-Dixie Cement plant that still has remnants left. I remember driving up there when I was in high school and although the houses had been abandoned for years, it was still sort of wierd seeing them up there. I think for a number of years, the Mead/Weyerhaueser/Domtar paper mill has dumped their mill solids effluent up there.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by maui4me

Cement Hill actually had a number of homes on it up until the early 1980's. They were built eons ago for the management and some employees of the old Penn-Dixie Cement plant that still has remnants left. I remember driving up there when I was in high school and although the houses had been abandoned for years, it was still sort of wierd seeing them up there. I think for a number of years, the Mead/Weyerhaueser/Domtar paper mill has dumped their mill solids effluent up there.

Yeah, my dad actually worked for Penn-Dixie back in the late 70s and early 80s. I bet that hill is loaded with toxic stuff--probably environmentally, it has some issues. Clean up would cost quite a bit. They still should do something with it though. Hope they do.