217 replies to this topic

[Rural King]

sleepy, on Aug 10 2005, 01:48 PM, said:

Yeah, Tennessee always had those 3 Grand Divisions, and most Tennesseans in each one were more interested in what was going on in their neck of the woods-- and surrounding states--rather than what was going on in Tennessee overall.

I had a friend who grew up in Jackson MS 200 miles south of Memphis and his parents got home delivery of the Memphis newspaper.  To buy the Memphis paper east of the Tennessee River, I think you'd have to look long and hard.

Each area just goes its merry little way.

I grew up in Memphis and was probably 16 or so before I ever went to Nashville or Knoxville, even though I'd been to Jackson MS, Little Rock, St. Louis, and New Orleans a bunch of times.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have travled to those other divisions and lived to talk about it, despite being a West Tennessean - had to keep that info on the lowdown in the East (j/k). LOL

Only part of the state I have not been to the is the Tri-City area, although I traveled through it once on the way to Washington, D.C., that doesn't really count though.

As for the Commerical Appeal going east of the Tennessee River, nope, thats Tennessean country...despite the fact I can get the Sunday Edition of the Tennessean in Paris and Martin in West Tennessee. You won't see a Commercial Appeal stand of any sort outside West Tennessee unless its in Legislative Plaza in Nashville, at least that I know of.

[krazeeboi]

For us non-Tennesseans, what is the Tri-City area?

[timalucas]

krazeeboi, on Aug 11 2005, 02:10 AM, said:

For us non-Tennesseans, what is the Tri-City area?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Tri-Cities is the combination of Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, TN/VA
Kingsport is largly known for Eastman/Kodak which is by far the largest employer in the area (and in east TN).  Johnson city has the campus of ETSU, and Bristol (the most pleasent of the three) is somwhat famous for is Nascar motor speedway.  I'm not sure what the metro population is for this area, but I have heard is either 5th or 6th in the state in terms of size.

Regarding Knoxville, there are a lot of exciting projects going on here, and the speed they are building office parks and neighborhoods in astounding.  I am planning on doing a photo study of downtown renovations as well as the new Turkey Creek development in West Knoxville (a pretty incredible development)

[cheeriokid61]

I believe the tri-cities is 5th if you count their MSAs, but otherwise, only two of them, I believe, are in the top ten.

And please, do get some pictures. That would be wonderful.

[ilektronik]

timalucas, on Aug 11 2005, 07:52 AM, said:

Eastman/Kodak which is by far the largest employer in the area (and in east TN). 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it's Eastman Kodak, not Eastman/Kodak

[PHofKS]

krazeeboi, on Aug 11 2005, 02:10 AM, said:

For us non-Tennesseans, what is the Tri-City area?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Specifically, the TRI Cities Area is anchored by Johnson City (55.4k, 2000 pop), Kingsport (44.9k), Bristol TN (24.8k) and Bristol, VA (17.4k). The total metro area in 2000 was 480,091 putting it in the top 100 in the country. It was later broken up into Johnson City (180k) and Kingsport/Bristol (300k).

Johnson City has one 10 story building with a 10 story condo proposed. Bristol TN/VA has at least three at 10+ story buildiings. Kingsport is kinda flat. I have some pictures, but haven't learned how to post them yet.

It is a surprisingly large metro area, but because there is no one large central city, some of the amenities you might expect, such as performing arts centers, large arenas, are not there. However, if you like sports, the Appy League has a rookie league team in each town. And did I mention there is a NASCAR race or two? There is also a decent airport, considering.

The area was one of the more depressed areas in the first half of the 20th Century and was a large part of the focus of the war on poverty. The area is now much more prosperous and growing and has a lot of great restaurants and fine hotels. However, there are no traffic jams (except on race days), nor smog and the crime rate does not seem to be high.

It is beautiful as it rests in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains where some reach over 6000'. There are plenty of outdoor activities including skiing (my ETSU daughter's favorite) just over the mountain in North Carolina.

It is a hidden gem with its beautiful environment and moderate climate. Take a side trip through there sometime. You would be delighted and surprised.

[krazeeboi]

Cool. Thanks for the clarification.

[cheeriokid61]

While we're in the rising stars thread, and we're talking about the Tri-Cities area, would anyone here consider it to be a rising star? I guess you could say that it's one the way to becoming a Hampton Roads-like city, but that might be a ways off. I would still say that it's a rising star. What about anyone else?

[krazeeboi]

Any new developments proposed/under construction in the area?

[timalucas]

cheeriokid61, on Aug 11 2005, 09:20 PM, said:

While we're in the rising stars thread, and we're talking about the Tri-Cities area, would anyone here consider it to be a rising star? I guess you could say that it's one the way to becoming a Hampton Roads-like city, but that might be a ways off. I would still say that it's a rising star. What about anyone else?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would say the Tri Cities is not a rising star because it's not really growing, and here in knoxville, I meet people from there all the time (seems they move here to find work).

I would definately consider Knoxville, Nashville, Asheville, and Chatanooga rising stars though!

[cheeriokid61]

OK. You're closer, so you would know.

I would also consider Memphis to be a rising star though. It's really starting to pull things together.

[qwertycc]

ilektronik, on Aug 11 2005, 09:37 AM, said:

it's Eastman Kodak, not Eastman/Kodak

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

actually, I believe it's Eastman Chemical (another Fortune 500 company) which is based in Kingsport, TN.  I think Eastman Kodak is based somewhere in New York. It was spun off of Eastman-Kodak though.

Edited by qwertycc, 12 August 2005 - 11:38 AM.

[intcvlcphlga]

If it can be agreed that Charlotte and the Raleigh-Durham area are already stars in terms of growth, economic vitality/base, etc., other North Carolina cities are in a strong position to feed off of the attractiveness of the state in terms of business activity and visibility for the state.  Winston-Salem and Greensboro are the most likely to be the next stars from NC.  They have a metro population roughly equivalent to Raleigh-Durham and Winston-Salem is moving in the right direction to diversify its economy.  In addition to the Triad, Memphis is poised for a renaissance and perhaps already in the beginning stages of reclaiming its cultural vitality.  Other cities with particularly bright futures are Charleston and Asheville as a lot of NYers and New Englanders are retiring to the South.  I would like to see Chattanooga which is doing some great things with green architecture and sustainable planning take a lead in developing sustainable technology and thereby boosting its economy.

[where_am_I]

I vote for Mobile, Raleigh, and Birmingham (my hometown), although Birmingham has lousy city leaders that may hinder alot of progressive activites in the city as they did in the past..

[Ken Rose]

PHofKS, on Aug 11 2005, 08:53 PM, said:

Specifically, the TRI Cities Area is anchored by Johnson City (55.4k, 2000 pop), Kingsport (44.9k), Bristol TN (24.8k) and Bristol, VA (17.4k). The total metro area in 2000 was 480,091 putting it in the top 100 in the country. It was later broken up into Johnson City (180k) and Kingsport/Bristol (300k).

Johnson City has one 10 story building with a 10 story condo proposed. Bristol TN/VA has at least three at 10+ story buildiings. Kingsport is kinda flat. I have some pictures, but haven't learned how to post them yet.

[b]It is a surprisingly large metro area, but because there is no one large central city, some of the amenities you might expect, such as performing arts centers, large arenas, are not there. However, if you like sports, the Appy League has a rookie league team in each town. And did I mention there is a NASCAR race or two? There is also a decent airport, considering.[/b]

The area was one of the more depressed areas in the first half of the 20th Century and was a large part of the focus of the war on poverty. The area is now much more prosperous and growing and has a lot of great restaurants and fine hotels. However, there are no traffic jams (except on race days), nor smog and the crime rate does not seem to be high.

It is beautiful as it rests in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains where some reach over 6000'. There are plenty of outdoor activities including skiing (my ETSU daughter's favorite) just over the mountain in North Carolina.

It is a hidden gem with its beautiful environment and moderate climate. Take a side trip through there sometime. You would be delighted and surprised.

I have read where you have stated this before in another thread...I wanted to share some light on that:
Yes, there is no central city but each city has a lot to offer in art/theatre:

Barter Theatre (Abingdon, State Theatre of VA, oldest cont. ran theatre in the U.S.)
Virginia Highlands Communtiy College, Arts Array, Abingdon
William King Regional Arts Center, Abingdon (only AAM accredited museum in Southwestern Va/N.East TN)
Viking Hall Civic Center, Bristol (a popular entertainment facility, also plays host to a diversity of entertainment options. seats -- 6600)
Ballet Arts Academy, Bristol
Bristol Ballet Company, Bristol
Dance Theatre Suitcase, Bristol
Paramount Center for the Arts, Bristol (hist. Paramount theatre)
Theatre Bristol, Bristol
Virginia Intermont College Fine Arts Center, Bristol
King College Arts, Bristol
Nyumba Ya Tausi-Peacock, Bristol (African American art)
Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Museum, Bristol
Art Alliance Mountain Empire, Bristol
East TN Children's Choir, Bristol
Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, Johnson City
Johnson City Community Theatre, Johnson City
Johnson City Civic Chorale, Johnson City
Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City (entertainment facility, seats 8500)
Highland Theatrical Company, Johnson City
East TN State University, Johnson City
Symphony of the Mountains Orchestra, Kingsport
Voices of the Mountain, Kingsport (Regional Chorus)
The Kingsport Theatre Guild, Kingsport

Of course there are many others...from the different colleges, universities, etc in the Tri-Cities Area and other performing art centers in smaller cities (Greenville for example is very nice). etc...so as you can see..there are the amenities of larger cities, without the large city problems.

[suburban george3]

timalucas, on Aug 12 2005, 06:44 AM, said:

I would say the Tri Cities is not a rising star because it's not really growing, and here in knoxville, I meet people from there all the time (seems they move here to find work).

I would definately consider Knoxville, Nashville, Asheville, and Chatanooga rising stars though!

Having multiple friends who live in the area and I myself keep up with the news from up there, indeed 2 out of the 3 tri cities are flat in growth.  Johnson City is the only city that seems to be growing and slowly at that.

[TheDash]

1. Raliegh, NC
2. Louisville, KY
3. Winston-Salem, NC
4. Richmond, VA
5. Columbia, SC

[TexasTea]

Spades, on Jul 22 2005, 05:54 PM, said:

Mobile, Baton Rouge and Austin? Would you say Austin is already a star somewhat or no?

Austin never gets any respect that it should, it is by far and I mean by far the best city in the south. The population is around 700,000 now and it just keeps on growing, but it still has it's small town flavor........ well maybe not the traffic

[Rardy]

I need a definition of the current Southern "stars", cause IMO places like Charlotte, Austin, Memphis, and Nashville are arguably already there.  If they're not, any one of them will be the next rising star.

Places less than a million:
1. Baton Rouge
2. Little Rock
3. Chattanooga
4. Tallahassee
5. Columbia, SC

[nowensone]

^ Good point, it is pretty vague (and debatable) to say who is "there" and is "not there" yet.  I know very little about the behind the scenes machinery and economics of all the cities in the south, but my bet is that Birmingham, AL is the next city to experience a very high growth rate that propels it out there as has happened and is happening with the others here.  Assuming the predicted recession that will accompany the housing and construction "bust" doesn't delay this by a decade.  Also, I think Mobile is a place to watch.  May be AL's "turn" now, just a century late.

EDIT - reread thread, several others mentioned Mobile as well, I am not the only one.

Edited by nowensone, 27 November 2006 - 02:14 PM.