Tri-Cities Development

[smeagolsfree]

Just in case we have any people from up in the tri-cities area, I figured I would add a thread dedicated to that area as well. I think this will include Bristol TN & VA, Johnson City, Kingsport, & we can put Greeneville in the mix as well. 

If any of you travel up that way, maybe you can do a photo shot as well. I am really trying to get interest built back into this forum. 

[jjbradleyBrooklyn]

I keep an eye on the tri-cities area, being originally from there, and with a lot of family and friends in the region still.

Here are some highlighted development news I've been tracking--

Johnson City--

Walnut Street revitalization plan. Walnut Street connects downtown Johnson City to the campus of East Tennessee State University, and is approximately 1-2 miles in length from downtown to the campus. It has historically been a hodge-podge, under-utilized district, but the aim is to create a more walkable district with bars, restaurants and stores.

https://www.johnsoncitytn.org/westwalnutplan/

Kingsport--

The redevelopment of the old General Shale manufacturing facility site in downtown Kingsport, into townhomes and a residential subvision.

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/kingsport-bma-set-to-approve-funding-for-downtown-developments/

I know Bristol has some good things happening too, but it will take a bit more research for me to look into that.

 

[smeagolsfree]

Where did you say you were from ????

[jjbradleyBrooklyn]

6 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

Where did you say you were from ????

From Kingsport, originally! Grew up in Hawkins County portion of metro Kingsport, Church Hill region primarily.

I still have quite a few relatives in the whole east Tennessee tri-cities region!

[jjbradleyBrooklyn]

Food hall coming to long-vacant downtown Johnson City warehouse:

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/whos-building-that/owner-aims-for-historic-renovation-while-bringing-food-hall-more-to-former-downtown-jc-tobacco-warehouse/

With Bristol TN and VA's continued tourism growth, a new Bristol, TN downtown tourist welcome center is being constructed:

https://heraldcourier.com/news/local/casino/new-downtown-visitor-center-planned/article_d7110e52-7c9b-11ed-bfb4-f37034369d82.html

Kingsport and Johnson City  in top 10 national quarterly housing markets in the US:

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/we-show-really-well-right-now-kingsport-joins-johnson-city-in-top-10-housing-markets-list/

[smeagolsfree]

Jeff Flemming was our paperboy back int he day.

[smeagolsfree]

22 hours ago, jjbradleyBrooklyn said:

Food hall coming to long-vacant downtown Johnson City warehouse:

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/whos-building-that/owner-aims-for-historic-renovation-while-bringing-food-hall-more-to-former-downtown-jc-tobacco-warehouse/

With Bristol TN and VA's continued tourism growth, a new Bristol, TN downtown tourist welcome center is being constructed:

https://heraldcourier.com/news/local/casino/new-downtown-visitor-center-planned/article_d7110e52-7c9b-11ed-bfb4-f37034369d82.html

Kingsport and Johnson City  in top 10 national quarterly housing markets in the US:

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/we-show-really-well-right-now-kingsport-joins-johnson-city-in-top-10-housing-markets-list/

Jeff Flemming was our paperboy back int he day and another alum of DB.

BTW, have you seen the new addition to DBHS?

[jjbradleyBrooklyn]

6 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

Jeff Flemming was our paperboy back int he day.

Ah, you don't say! Wow, he's all grown up and doing some big things now! 

6 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

Jeff Flemming was our paperboy back int he day and another alum of DB.

BTW, have you seen the new addition to DBHS?

No! I have not seen the addition. How big did they expand it? 

They've always pumped so much money into that HS.

[smeagolsfree]

2400 students now.

[jjbradleyBrooklyn]

That's a massive enrollment for a city that size.

Nice architecture, but I can't say I love it. The undulating original design of the building has always been very cool though.

[tragenvol]

On 1/20/2023 at 2:46 PM, jjbradleyBrooklyn said:

From Kingsport, originally! Grew up in Hawkins County portion of metro Kingsport, Church Hill region primarily.

I still have quite a few relatives in the whole east Tennessee tri-cities region!

Whoa!  One of my best friends is from Church Hill....never ceases to amaze how small this world can feel at times.

[jjbradleyBrooklyn]

5 hours ago, tragenvol said:

Whoa!  One of my best friends is from Church Hill....never ceases to amaze how small this world can feel at times.

 

Oh absolutely! I went to Church Hill Elementary School-lived there and around the surrounding rural part of the town,  most of my childhood life.

[jjbradleyBrooklyn]

Johnson City is becoming a fast-growth city. The city is seeing 1,500 - 2,000 new residents added each year.

With a 2022 population sitting at roughly 72,514, the city grew modestly fast since 2010, adding roughly 7,900 people. 

But by 2030, Johnson City could be at an eye-popping 82,000 people--on the low end forecast. 

On the high end forecast, the city could see almost 90,000 in population by 2030. 

https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/local-news/growing-pains-johnson-city-copes-with-the-challenges-of-a-surging-population/article_fe3b35ba-7368-11ee-930f-e376eba5144a.html

If this growth continues throughout the decade of the 2030s, Johnson City could easily hit the 100,000 people mark by middle of the decade.

Edited October 29, 2023 by jjbradleyBrooklyn

[MLBrumby]

It has become something of a "Junior Asheville"... not so much in feel but as a hub for that area.  Tri Cities are a bit like Chattanooga in their neglect from TDOT... as far as infrastructure keeping up with growth. 

[jjbradleyBrooklyn]

22 hours ago, MLBrumby said:

It has become something of a "Junior Asheville"... not so much in feel but as a hub for that area.  Tri Cities are a bit like Chattanooga in their neglect from TDOT... as far as infrastructure keeping up with growth. 

This is very true, exactly.

If Johnson City can vastly improve their downtown infrastructure, and create more of a live/work/entertain destination, it could be unstoppable.

The downtown is under-served right now and as-is reflects a town of maybe 30-40k people. 

Hopefully the city starts to invest in dowtown development with a few new buildings, too.