More Downtown JC News (Johnson City, Kingsport: restaurant, move, warehouse)

[jabogitlu]

JohnsonCityPress.com - Local News - Johnson City, TN

Article #2. Looks like the JCP recognizes the value of restoring these buildings!

[JQofPA]

NorthernLights, what do you mean by consolidation, exactly? That's becoming an issue here in PA. You mean consolidating governments? Wouldn't some form of regional cooperation work just as well? Are you thinking economies of scale, or what would be the advantage exactly?

[jchometeam]

There is a sense among some in the community that the cities do not work well together, and that they should work together to bring in big companies for jobs and an overall more urban culture. Typically, the 3 cities are very independent and have a hard enough time working with the respective counties.

Personally, I do not want to see us grow nearly as quickly as some others do, and think that we have grown quick enough in the last 20 years. Any faster growth would lead to the traffic and infrastructure problems, as well as the lost sense of "small community" that many in the area believe is this area's strengths.

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

This is great, tremendously positive news. Sarah, there is some fresh blood on the scene once again and I think finally JC is being receptive to efforts to preserve and save while redeveloping at the same time. I think the success of Kingsport and Bristol really shamed Johnson City's government and showed them what HAD to be done.

Looks like the State of Franklin corridor from downtown up towards ETSU is going to be really hopping. We can add this to the list of happenings including the new ETSU baseball stadium, University Edge, Warehouse Park, the General Mills site, the new walking and biking trails, and the preservation of the Clinchfield station.

The depot(s) and greenway probably deserves their own thread - and not sure if this link will work if you're not on facebook but just came across this wonderful pic of the greenway corridor. This is very exciting to see!!
Save Our Rail Road Station | Facebook

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by SarahSal

The depot(s) and greenway probably deserves their own thread - and not sure if this link will work if you're not on facebook but just came across this wonderful pic of the greenway corridor. This is very exciting to see!!
Save Our Rail Road Station | Facebook

It does work as you intended.

And I may have to move to the Southside with all these projects happening in the near future (trails, parks, community centers, athletic facilities, etc).

[jabogitlu]

They’re icons of Johnson City’s past — some still standing, the majority having made way for “progress” — and now nine buildings (and two street scenes) will open themselves back up to the imagination through a series of historic markers going up around the downtown area.

Designed by historian and Sunsyne Graphics owner Michael Beard, the 2 foot by 3 foot signs will carry photos and text that a committee deemed to best represent each scene. The first of the grant-funded signs, showing scenes from the original Science Hill High School, will be dedicated Aug. 6 in coordination with a school reunion.

JohnsonCityPress.com - Local News - Johnson City, TN

Looks like a series of fifteen, graphic-intensive historical markers is going up around downtown. These signs were created in conjunction with Bob Cox (local history writer) and Alan Bridwell of the Johnson's Depot website so they should be pretty interesting. Amazingly, one of the signs is dedicated to the Johnson City Sessions - the lesser known twin of the Bristol Sessions, but as equally important for recording Clarence Ashley and others.

The first is already up at the old Science Hill High School site. Missed the dedication, didn't make it to First Friday... has anyone seen it?

Also, from our Tweetsie/Save Our Rail Road Depot friends, via Bike Walk TN:

Bike Walk Tennessee: Trail Towns and Bicycle Tourism



Interesting stuff happening in downtown!

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

They’re icons of Johnson City’s past — some still standing, the majority having made way for “progress” — and now nine buildings (and two street scenes) will open themselves back up to the imagination through a series of historic markers going up around the downtown area.

Designed by historian and Sunsyne Graphics owner Michael Beard, the 2 foot by 3 foot signs will carry photos and text that a committee deemed to best represent each scene. The first of the grant-funded signs, showing scenes from the original Science Hill High School, will be dedicated Aug. 6 in coordination with a school reunion.

JohnsonCityPress.com - Local News - Johnson City, TN

Looks like a series of fifteen, graphic-intensive historical markers is going up around downtown. These signs were created in conjunction with Bob Cox (local history writer) and Alan Bridwell of the Johnson's Depot website so they should be pretty interesting. Amazingly, one of the signs is dedicated to the Johnson City Sessions - the lesser known twin of the Bristol Sessions, but as equally important for recording Clarence Ashley and others.

The first is already up at the old Science Hill High School site. Missed the dedication, didn't make it to First Friday... has anyone seen it?

Also, from our Tweetsie/Save Our Rail Road Depot friends, via Bike Walk TN:

Bike Walk Tennessee: Trail Towns and Bicycle Tourism



Interesting stuff happening in downtown!

YES!! It's quite an exciting and energizing change from year's past.. I did want to note the guy and his company responsible for designing the signs, Mike Beard and Sunsyne Graphics. He (and his family) is well-known in his field of developing/drawing/designing historic maps and markers in many areas of the country's historic sites and has been a downtown supporter/activist for years. It's great to see him working in the excellent company of other extremely talented folks like Alan Bridwell and Bob Cox. That's what downtown has always needed; a dedicated, involved group working to create major, viable and visible changes in the downtown landscape. Good news to pass along..

[SarahSal]

The other day I saw tons of neat looking furniture on the sidewalk near Tipton and Spring Streets... There is now a fully occupied corner store with a cool sign that says, I think, 'Furniture Warehouse'.. Hope to find out more tomorrow!
Now, if the other mentioned thread about a downtown grocery store comes to pass, we may have a lot to celebrate!

[jabogitlu]

I came downtown to swing by the Coffee & Tea Haven and saw the furniture store on Tipton St. How fun! Also, driving back out down Market St., way down near John Exum, I saw a "coming soon... The Conversation Pit"... looked like a jazz club??? And I heard on the radio the other day a spot for Misty Blues & Jazz, somewhere on Main Street, but I couldn't find that today. Sarah, do you know anything about it? I'd love for a good jazz club to come to town!

[ChuckTheLocal]

Hey Jab,

The Misty Club is on the South side of Main Street across from Capone's.

Have you tried out Bodega? They have great Jazz, Tuesdays, Friday's and Saturdays and the food is AWESOME! They are in the old Sunny's on S Roan and Pine Street.

I would love to see a small Grocery Market downtown!!