Cookeville City Council voted Thursday night to pursue condemnation proceedings to secure land needed for improvements at the South Willow/West Jackson intersection.
Economic Development and Grants Coordinator Matt Billings told the City Council four tracts have either closed or are nearing completion. The city approved an additional $18,589.91 for right-of-way acquisition services.
“Six tracts are being sent to the attorney general’s office for condemnation,” Billings said, “Due to the complex corporate and commercial nature of these tracts, largely along State Route 135, additional negotiation contacts and administrative work to acquire them have been necessary.”
Billings said the intersection improvements will add dual left-turn lanes from South Willow Avenue onto West Jackson Street and a dedicated right-turn lane from West Jackson Street onto South Willow Avenue.
Billings said engineering firm Kimley-Horn retained O.R. Colan and Associates to handle right-of-way acquisition and closing services. The additional funding will cover negotiations and administrative work associated with obtaining the remaining property.
The council unanimously approved the contract amendment, allowing the city to proceed with the remaining property acquisition work.
In other business, aldermen referred a proposed annexation of approximately 10 acres along Goodwin Road to the Planning Commission for review. The property owner wants to develop affordable single-family housing, although existing sewer capacity would currently limit the property to four additional residential units.
