Cookeville News

[jmtunafish]

On 11/3/2018 at 8:34 PM, memphian said:

So today I watched the TECH Homecoming Parade and TTU President, Phil Oldham, referred to Cookeville as “Tennessee’s College Town” during the broadcast. I hadn’t thought too much about it but it does seem to be a fitting title as none of the other college towns rely as heavily on their local University as does Cookeville. It’s not in the same league, University wise, as Oxford, MS, Athens, GA, or Pullman, WA but it does hold its own in many of the college town categories.

I think Martin or Sewanee could make a similar claim, but both are so much smaller than Cookeville and much, much less dynamic although Sewanee is probably one of the most beautiful college towns in the country.  But I do agree that in Tennessee, Cookeville is about as nice as college town as there is.  I think Murfreesboro could've done it, but the city has grown so large, and MTSU has become such a commuter school that it's probably too late now.  I did see this aerial view of Tech and thought it looked pretty good:

On the topic of the bizarre popularity of condos in Cookeville that we had a page or two back, I saw tonight yet another condo project about to get started in Cookeville, this one on West Broad a block west of Willow.  I think this makes something like the 10th condo development in little Cookeville in just the last couple of years.

Also, this new development came from left field.  The National Speleological Society is holding its 2019 convention in Cookeville, only the 2nd time its annual convention has been held in Tennessee (it was held in Sewanee about 20 years ago).  With 10,000 caves within a short drive of Cookeville, the NSS has called Cookeville a "theme park for cavers" and expects to have around 1,500 cavers descend upon the town in June for the 5-day convention.

 

Edited November 5, 2018 by jmtunafish

[Mr_Bond]

9 hours ago, jmtunafish said:

I think Martin or Sewanee could make a similar claim, but both are so much smaller than Cookeville and much, much less dynamic although Sewanee is probably one of the most beautiful college towns in the country.  But I do agree that in Tennessee, Cookeville is about as nice as college town as there is.  I think Murfreesboro could've done it, but the city has grown so large, and MTSU has become such a commuter school that it's probably too late now.  I did see this aerial view of Tech and thought it looked pretty good:

On the topic of the bizarre popularity of condos in Cookeville that we had a page or two back, I saw tonight yet another condo project about to get started in Cookeville, this one on West Broad a block west of Willow.  I think this makes something like the 10th condo development in little Cookeville in just the last couple of years.

Also, this new development came from left field.  The National Speleological Society is holding its 2019 convention in Cookeville, only the 2nd time its annual convention has been held in Tennessee (it was held in Sewanee about 20 years ago).  With 10,000 caves within a short drive of Cookeville, the NSS has called Cookeville a "theme park for cavers" and expects to have around 1,500 cavers descend upon the town in June for the 5-day convention.

 

Maybe Cookeville could make this their brand!  "Cave in to the crave to visit Cookeville."  "Y'all come and stay for a spel(unking)!"

[tragenvol]

Regarding branding Cookeville:  there is an effort by some to market Cookeville as Tennessee's Asheville.  Local food scene...check.  Micro Breweries....check.  Outdoor adventures...check.

 

[Griz83]

I lived in Cookeville for 6.5 years and loved it.  I still periodically play in a band up there.  It's a gorgeous area with lots of great hiking, canoeing/kayaking, spelunking, and other cool outdoor stuff.  The city itself is quickly becoming a lot more polished and posh, too - even since I moved away in 2007.  I could easily see it becoming more like Asheville.

[NashvilleObserver]

14 hours ago, jmtunafish said:

The National Speleological Society is holding its 2019 convention in Cookeville, only the 2nd time its annual convention has been held in Tennessee (it was held in Sewanee about 20 years ago).  With 10,000 caves within a short drive of Cookeville, the NSS has called Cookeville a "theme park for cavers" and expects to have around 1,500 cavers descend upon the town in June for the 5-day convention.

The composition of Cookeville's limestone bedrock gives it one of the highest concentrations of caves in the world. Through a cave-loving friend who got me interested in spelunking, I've met scientists and regular enthusiasts who come from all over the world to visit the string of caves from Cookeville to Sparta. Many of the best locations are on private property and you have to be granted special permission to enter them.

[jmtunafish]

I drove around Cookeville yesterday and snapped a few pictures of some of the more notable buildings under construction.

The new student fitness center at Tennessee Tech at the corner of Willow and 7th:

 

The expansion of the University Center which will include additional eating establishments and a larger commons area:

 

The new Laboratory Science Building:

 

Here's a condo development a few blocks from Tech on Broad about a block west of Willow:

 

The Hörmann (pronounced "Herman") garage door factory construction site adjacent to the airport which will be the German company's first facility in the U.S.  

 

Candlewood Suites on South Jefferson adjacent to the AMC movie theater.  While this area a few years ago had just one motel (Motel 6), it's since become ground zero for Cookeville hotels:  Candlewood Suites, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, La Quinta, Holiday Inn Express, Country Inn, and Motel 6.

 

Site of the old Racetrac gas station on Willow which will be a new Holiday Inn:

 

New home of Stonecom.  Larry Stone, former host of Titans Radio, quit Titans Radio to do something that would allow him to spend more time with his family.  So he moved his family to Cookeville and bought a couple of radio stations.  Now Stonecom owns 5 radio stations and is almost finished with its new home:

 

Upper Cumberland Development District's new HQ:

 

Italian ceramics company Colorrobia's new facility which will house chemical engineers and labs to assist in Tennessee's burgeoning ceramics industry:

 

Cumberland Automotive's expansion which will put all its used cars on one lot.  Cumberland Automotive has Toyota, Kia, and Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealerships on Interstate Drive:

 

A development of cottages overlooking Belle Acres Golf Course immediately east of the courthouse square downtown:

Edited November 12, 2018 by jmtunafish

[smeagolsfree]

Thanks for all of the updates.

[jmtunafish]

A nice article in this month's Outside magazine about Cookeville's Rich Froning, "Fittest Man on Earth," and what he does for fun in Cookeville.  Froning trains crossfit athletes who come from all over the globe to work out at his 18,000 square foot facility in Cookeville.  The article says Cookeville is becoming a popular "fitcation" destination and many visiting athletes end up moving to the area.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2367526/crossfit-rich-froning-eat-like-fittest-man-on-earth-tennessee?fbclid=IwAR0jIjF_3eNFAM4ezFUTJKXE-Fy3hWhidyTSh8g9uDzyaKTw_mZ3rmb3G_M

But it’s not all barbells and box jumps in Froning’s charming, rural hometown. Between the tree-lined trails, caves, lakes, and waterfalls, there are plenty of reasons for outdoor enthusiasts to visit Cookeville, and that includes the food and beverage scene. The town might be small, but it clutches more than 100 restaurants, from mom-and-pop joints serving up farm-to-table fare to vegan comfort food to classic Tennessee barbecue drenched in sweet sauce. Oh, and the doughnuts are to die for.

...

You don’t become the world’s fittest man by sitting still. When he needs inspiration or variety, Froning says, “I go out and use my fitness.” Surrounded by 24 state parks and designated natural areas, Cookeville is ideally situated for outdoor adventuring.

More than 150 waterfalls have been documented within 40 miles of downtown. Towering 75 feet above the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River, Cummins Falls is Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall in volume, and it’s Froning’s go-to spot for a three-mile round-trip hike with spectacular views. From the Cummins Falls trailhead, take Falls Overlook Trail to Blackburn Fork River Trail, and prepare for a rugged half-mile descent. Turn left at the river, and follow the water a few hundred yards to reach Cummins Falls. Yes, your feet will get wet.

Edited November 20, 2018 by jmtunafish

[opendrawerwhore]

Law! Cookeville has sure came a long way since I was there.  

[memphian]

6 hours ago, opendrawerwhore said:

Law! Cookeville has sure came a long way since I was there.  

Have you taken a look at the housing prices in Cookeville lately? 

[OnePointEast]

I was living in Cookeville for three months and the rents were pretty high for a small town. It was around $770 for my two bedroom apartment. Houses are now hitting the $1,100 mark, also.

Edited November 21, 2018 by OnePointEast

[opendrawerwhore]

They've grown a lot but we still see many Putnam plates in Murfreesboro and Mt. Juliet.  

[jmtunafish]

52 minutes ago, opendrawerwhore said:

They've grown a lot but we still see many Putnam plates in Murfreesboro and Mt. Juliet.  

At least in the case of Mt Juliet, it's because housing in Cookeville is still a lot more affordable than what you can find in Mt Juliet.  Or even Lebanon.  A friend of mine has a daughter who works in Lebanon but lives in Cookeville.  Even with the cost of gas, she's still saving several hundred dollars a month, and her commute is still shorter than what many commuters in Nashville experience just driving across town.  There's a steady stream of Putnam County tags on I-40 headed to Nashville every morning and back again every evening, and the high-end housing boom in Cookeville and western Putnam County is evidence that this is a growing trend.  As metro Nashville has gotten so ridiculously expensive, outlying towns like Cookeville and Manchester will continue to attract those who want a little more housing bang for their buck, particularly when they have families and also need good schools.  A realtor friend of mine in Cookeville just sold a country estate to an American Airlines pilot who's able to afford a more lavish home in western Putnam County and with just a 45 minute drive to BNA.

Edited November 21, 2018 by jmtunafish

[opendrawerwhore]

Buy Land,  God ain't making anymore of it...  I agree Nashville is way too expensive, resulting in surrounding areas to become more attractive yet incrementally more expensive as well.

[tragenvol]

24 minutes ago, opendrawerwhore said:

resulting in surrounding areas to become more attractive yet incrementally more expensive as well.

They Law!  I digress.  But yes, it has happened here...housing prices have increased significantly over the last two years.

[jmtunafish]

The restaurant scene in Cookeville grew considerably in the last week with the following openings:  Chipotle, Five Guys, Panda Express, Panera, and Popeye's.  Victor's Taco Shop out of Nashville is opening a location in Cookeville next to TTU, and a Caribbean cafe (called simply "Caribbean Cafe and Restaurant") is opening up on Washington Ave just north of the courthouse.   That's quite a lot happening in one week for a little town like Cookeville.

But for a little town, Cookeville punches well above its weight when it comes to restaurants.  There are 92 independent restaurants/eateries in town, 92 chain restaurants/eateries, and 15 food trucks.  And it looks like more restaurants are coming.  The developer of the proposed Food City shopping center on 10th Street said the development will include "casual dining, fast food, and specialty cafe options" but didn't mention any names.  For that matter, it's still pure speculation that the grocery store will be Food City although most agree that's probably the right guess.

Edited November 30, 2018 by jmtunafish

[OnePointEast]

2 hours ago, jmtunafish said:

The restaurant scene in Cookeville grew considerably in the last week with the following openings:  Chipotle, Five Guys, Panda Express, Panera, and Popeye's.  Victor's Taco Shop out of Nashville is opening a location in Cookeville...

Romo's Mexican restaurant is also opening up next week I believe. I sometimes wonder how such a town can maintain all the restaurants. 

Edited November 29, 2018 by OnePointEast

[jmtunafish]

8 hours ago, OnePointEast said:

Romo's Mexican restaurant is also opening up next week I believe. I sometimes wonder how such a town can maintain all the restaurants. 

Yes, I totally forgot about Romo's.  Romo's is a Mexican restaurant located in an old Ryan's Steakhouse in Crossville.  They bought the old Applebee's building in Cookeville for $1.75 million and then spent another half million renovating it.  A lot of people are looking forward to its opening.  I also forgot that Texas Roadhouse is about to get started construction on its Cookeville location right behind Panera and Chipotle.  There have been more restaurant openings the last week in Cookeville than the last 2 years.

[memphian]

Cookeville has a few things on its side as it pertains to restaurants. First the location is perfect being on I-40. Next is it’s greater trade area - there’s not a lot in the other nearby counties. Then you have TECH which supplies a steady stream of hungry students.  Now it’s beginning to grow into itself which brings in tourism and industry. 

[jmtunafish]

And then there's this in today's news.

The Cookeville Industrial Board signed a pilot agreement for a $150 million capital investment project in Putnam County Friday.

Board Chairman Robert Bell says many details remain confidential regarding what is being referred to as ‘Project Sim’.

The project will reportedly bring a foreign company to the United States for the first time, making the Putnam County location the company’s U.S. corporate headquarters. ‘Project Sim’ is expected to create approximately 200 jobs.

Bell stated during the meeting that both the company and Governor Bill Haslam request details not be released until an official announcement is made.

The company, which has not been publicly named, is being represented by Stephen Jasper of Bass, Berry, and Sims in Nashville.

https://newstalk941.com/industrial-board-signs-pilot-agreement-for-150m-project/

[memphian]

Well there goes being able to afford loving in Cookeville - lol. On the flip side, Target may not be too far off!

[jmtunafish]

On 11/30/2018 at 11:05 PM, memphian said:

Well there goes being able to afford loving in Cookeville - lol. 

Especially if it's a French or Italian company coming to town...

Edited December 2, 2018 by jmtunafish

[jmtunafish]

The aforementioned "Project Sim" was revealed this morning.  Brazilian ceramic tile manufacturer Portobello will build its first US facility just west of Cookeville on 92 acres in the town of Baxter which is part of Cookeville's urban cluster according to the US Census.  The factory, which will also serve as its US headquarters, is on the former Middle Tennessee Motor Speedway site off I-40's Exit 280 which Putnam County had briefly entertained buying and making into a new county fairground a couple of years ago.  This is the single largest capital investment in Putnam County history ($150 million), and the facility will employ 220.

https://tnecd.com/news/governor-haslam-commissioner-rolfe-announce-portobello-america-inc-to-locate-us-headquarters-first-us-production-facility-in-baxter/

Edited December 4, 2018 by jmtunafish

[jmtunafish]

In 2017 Cookeville broke all its previous records by issuing 430 building permits worth $78.5 million.  In 2018, it issued 505 building permits worth $226.5 million.  While this would be considered small change in Nashville's sphere, this makes Cookeville the fastest-growing construction zone in the state outside of the Nashville MSA.  County Mayor Randy Porter came up with a few collages of some of the larger projects completed or started in 2018:

 

Some of the bigger things coming up in 2019:

• Shopping center (Food City?) on 10th Street @ Hwy 111.
• Shopping center (another Food City?) on Hwy 70 in Baxter.
• Entertainment complex (bumper cars, laser tag, bowling, etc.) on Walnut Ave behind Publix.
• New police headquarters.
• New elementary school.
• Holiday Inn on Willow Ave.
• Hilton hotel/conference center downtown (this one has been taking its own sweet, aggravating time).
• Downtown parking garage.
• $150 million ceramics factory in Baxter.
• Continued expansion of SAIC's cybersecurity technology gateway in downtown Cookeville
• Oculus Software's new facility in the Highlands Business Park
• Colorobbia's new labs in the Highlands Business Park

[LA_TN]

I have had the opportunity to drive through there on a semi regular basis for several years. The growth there is mind-boggling!

@jmtunafish, thanks for all the updates!