Downtown Johnson City re-development? New plans? (Franklin, Jonesborough: for sale, apartments, renters)

[dreamofmonterey]

Does anyone know if there is a new RE Development project? The train depot is gutted and beng leveled, and some commercial R.E. is being sold; does anyone with a business background know what's coming in downtown Johnson City?

Thanks.

[SarahSal]

Great question! I'll answer from a personal (and business) viewpoint.
We're 'downtown folks' - have been for well over a decade on E Main Street. We've been through spells when we *loved* downtown (when we lived there during the week) when there was community - and families living there with their kids and dogs - and outdoor music and most shops were filled. We've *also* been extremely despondent about downtown when folks gave up on the city ever doing anything but talking about what they were going to do - maybe; When committees formed and plans were made over and over again (many times the same plans with a twist); when many good folks with vision came and went; when business people and residents fought about parking, pedestrian friendly streets, building codes - and many other things!

But I think downtown may now be getting ready to enter another phase. There is an excellent new person at the helm of the Johnson City Development Authority, someone with credentials and expertise who's already accomplished some good things like getting the TIF passed, whereby a percentage of renovation money spent downtown goes back to downtown through property taxes (not sure of the formula); she's worked to arrange the return of the famous 'Lady of the Fountain' which was a fixture downtown for many years. She (the director) seems to have a handle on what needs to be done and how to make it happen.

We've also seen the city do major work on underground infrastructure, streets and sidewalks on Tipton and Spring Streets (this work was done to accomodate a $6 million investment in the Tipton Street area); the city has finally adopted the International Building Code, which makes renovation of historic older buildings somewhat less costly with the easing of restrictive codes (the former codes applied to both new and existing, older buildings making some renovations either impossible due to a structural layout or much too costly for the owner). Some other very positive indications are the relatively new restaurants downtown from Russo's New Orleans style food to Chew Chews (where Pugs used to be) and the terrific new German restaurant, among others already there like the Mid-City. We've heard Sunny's will also reopen soon with new owners... Sooo, there are some good signs that some businesspeople do believe in downtown as a good location. And, of course, the Hands!On! Museum is still one of downtown's gems and a real draw.

Now comes the hard part - although most apartments and condos are fairly easy to fill because folks really like living downtown - getting business folks to come back to fill empty storefronts and offices is now the new challenge. There was a point at which many rental properties changed hands and as higher sales prices were paid, rental prices increased substantially. Naturally, some renters moved out - and replacing them has proved just one more challenge.

Personally, I think if the City stepped in and located just a few of their offices downtown, *that* would help immeasurably with the perception that downtown is a good place to be!
Per the train depot, I don't think the main structure is going anywhere but losing the train tracks is sort of sad and not very forward looking - but the bike and walking trail from ETSU to downtown (which will replace it) is undeniably a bonus - as is the Chamber of Commerce multi-million dollar purchase of the General Mills property between downtown and ETSU.

It's pretty amazing - here we are in the middle of a national economic downturn and downtown JC may actually be on the way back up.
You probably got a little more info than you asked for - but I'm glad there is still interest in downtown because it *is* a special place with tons of potential.

[jabogitlu]

Thanks for all the info. I wondered what was happening to the mill.
Do you know what the plans are for the site?

And last I heard (which was a long time ago, admittedly) wasn't the old train depot being turned into a museum of sorts?

[dreamofmonterey]

well there are a great deal of of RE commercial parcels for sale along State of Franklin all the way to Main St. The train depot is semi-demolished, not sure what constuction project is going up and would appreciate any info.

Last year a realtor friend of mine said this is what we need, the downtown can be nice if more restaurants and sole business owners can open shop there, so many vacant buildings. We visited Freiberg's and it was a very nice upscale restaurant, they need more of this in that area (i.e. get rid of dives like Neuman's, etc.). The area could be so quaint and historic, so much more to offer than chains and Motor Mile.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by SarahSal

Great question! I'll answer from a personal (and business) viewpoint.
We're 'downtown folks' - have been for well over a decade on E Main Street. We've been through spells when we *loved* downtown (when we lived there during the week) when there was community - and families living there with their kids and dogs - and outdoor music and most shops were filled. We've *also* been extremely despondent about downtown when folks gave up on the city ever doing anything but talking about what they were going to do - maybe; When committees formed and plans were made over and over again (many times the same plans with a twist); when many good folks with vision came and went; when business people and residents fought about parking, pedestrian friendly streets, building codes - and many other things!

But I think downtown may now be getting ready to enter another phase. There is an excellent new person at the helm of the Johnson City Development Authority, someone with credentials and expertise who's already accomplished some good things like getting the TIF passed, whereby a percentage of renovation money spent downtown goes back to downtown through property taxes (not sure of the formula); she's worked to arrange the return of the famous 'Lady of the Fountain' which was a fixture downtown for many years. She (the director) seems to have a handle on what needs to be done and how to make it happen.

We've also seen the city do major work on underground infrastructure, streets and sidewalks on Tipton and Spring Streets (this work was done to accomodate a $6 million investment in the Tipton Street area); the city has finally adopted the International Building Code, which makes renovation of historic older buildings somewhat less costly with the easing of restrictive codes (the former codes applied to both new and existing, older buildings making some renovations either impossible due to a structural layout or much too costly for the owner). Some other very positive indications are the relatively new restaurants downtown from Russo's New Orleans style food to Chew Chews (where Pugs used to be) and the terrific new German restaurant, among others already there like the Mid-City. We've heard Sunny's will also reopen soon with new owners... Sooo, there are some good signs that some businesspeople do believe in downtown as a good location. And, of course, the Hands!On! Museum is still one of downtown's gems and a real draw.

Now comes the hard part - although most apartments and condos are fairly easy to fill because folks really like living downtown - getting business folks to come back to fill empty storefronts and offices is now the new challenge. There was a point at which many rental properties changed hands and as higher sales prices were paid, rental prices increased substantially. Naturally, some renters moved out - and replacing them has proved just one more challenge.

Personally, I think if the City stepped in and located just a few of their offices downtown, *that* would help immeasurably with the perception that downtown is a good place to be!
Per the train depot, I don't think the main structure is going anywhere but losing the train tracks is sort of sad and not very forward looking - but the bike and walking trail from ETSU to downtown (which will replace it) is undeniably a bonus - as is the Chamber of Commerce multi-million dollar purchase of the General Mills property between downtown and ETSU.

It's pretty amazing - here we are in the middle of a national economic downturn and downtown JC may actually be on the way back up.
You probably got a little more info than you asked for - but I'm glad there is still interest in downtown because it *is* a special place with tons of potential.

and I agree, Freiberg's is very nice, and just what the area needs. What is Chew Chews?. If only the defunct college bars and old shoppes could attract sole business owners, some of the buildings are beautiful and historical...why can't they develop it like Main St in Jonesborough? we need some history and diversity here, I am tired of strip malls and State of Franklin.

[jabogitlu]

Agree with ya, the last thing we need is more Motor Mile and Restaurant Row. Unfortunately that's what they're developing more and more of in North JC, and I saw that they've just regraded and posted the corner at Market/Franklin across from the Medical Center. Yay, more strip mall hell.

[williboy]

Downtown will never improve till they upgrade the infrastructure. Bad drainage and plumbing isn't going to draw anyone with serious money.

[mbmouse]

They also need to do something about the train tracks that chop the city up. Re route them or something.

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Agree with ya, the last thing we need is more Motor Mile and Restaurant Row. Unfortunately that's what they're developing more and more of in North JC, and I saw that they've just regraded and posted the corner at Market/Franklin across from the Medical Center. Yay, more strip mall hell.

I so agree. The area could be beautiful. I am just hoping. And yes, across from Med-Tech Plaza, more strip malls and chains Borrring.

[SarahSal]

Totally agree with you all! (And, thanks for all the great input). Strip malls are truly awful and boring, and downtown JC has the capacity and inventory of historic buildings to resemble beautiful Jonesborough - although admittedly Jonesborough is actually more a 'village' than a city..

I guess lots of us downtown believe that until the city *fully* recognizes and supports what it has in its original downtown - 'the Heart of Johnson City' as its often called' - it will be an uphill struggle. A few new city commissioners have been very supportive though, and that's encouraging. But it's a 'put your money where your mouth is' situation because problems with underlying infrastructure are not going to just go away. The fact that an excellent engineering plan to address flooding *has* been drawn is another encouraging sign. As I understand it, there are grants available to deal with city flooding issues - so this is one of those familiar scenarios where the city now needs to start the application process. The 100K question is - will they?

There are also grants available for downtown energy improvements and facade renovation, through the JCDA.

It would be wonderful if all downtown's historic buildings looked like Frieberg's! BTW, Chew Chews has a good menu with daily (affordable) specials of soups, salads and sandwiches. My husband recently ate there and reported it was good! Just heard, too, that Sunny's cafeteria will reopen as 'Club Karma'... Hmmmm, Sounds like another college nightspot.. Wish, instead it were just a good eating choice (like Sunny's once was)..

We're still debating the future use(s) of our own building originally known as the Jones/Vance - located across from Frieberg's. It's a classic built in the 1920's with lots of beautiful plaster mouldings and columns, which were buried under old dropped ceilings when we bought it. A good friend has kiddingly said she knows someone with lots of artifacts from JC's early moonshining days when JC was often referred to as 'Little Chicago' - and we should buy them and open a museum.. Wish we had the resources!