Cookeville Permanently Closing South Jefferson Recycling

Cookeville’s Recycling Center on South Jefferson Avenue will permanently close, effective Monday. Cookeville Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the South Jefferson Avenue recycling center is the only recycling center that is not located on city-owned property. Elrod said both the property owner and the city made the initial move to close the recycling […]
Cookeville To Invest In AI, Improve Willow Traffic Flow

Cookeville investing in a new AI camera system, designed to help improve traffic flow. Cookeville Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the cameras can detect traffic and send recommendations to change the timing of traffic lights. Elrod said the cameras will be a major upgrade compared to the current system. “Clear them out and […]
Cookeville Set To Begin Stevens Street Project Monday

The City of Cookeville will begin construction on the Stevens Street Improvement Project Monday. Cookeville Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the project will start with work from Willow Avenue to South Franklin Avenue. Elrod said traffic will be impacted for the first two to three months. “They will daily have this section shut […]
Cookeville To Add New Commercial Garbage Route

Cookeville plans to raise its commercial trash fee by 12 percent in preparation for a new route, a new truck, and a new driver. Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said due to growth, the city expects to have to add a new route to cover additional volume in the next two to three years. […]
More Landscaping Coming To Neal Street Corridor

Landscaping upgrades and beautification are on the way to Cookeville’s Neal Street corridor. Cookeville Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the department is evaluating the existing trees in the median islands. She said a mixed bag of trees have been planted over the years, some of which are old or dead. She said Neal […]
Cookeville To Update Stormwater Regulations

Cookeville will update its stormwater management program in accordance with changes to federal regulations passed down by TDEC. Cookeville Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said Cookeville began its program in 2004 upon receiving MS4 designation due to its population and density. She said the changes encourage eco-friendly stormwater management for commercial developments. “Ponds and […]
Cookeville Consolidates West Side Commercial Garbage

Some 14 businesses on Cookeville’s West Side will now dispose of garbage in a newly-constructed dumpster enclosure to keep roadways looking cleaner. Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said the individual trash carts cut off the view of storefronts and murals. She said the businesses helped the city pay for the structure and will pay […]
North Cedar Phase II Underway, Eliminates Street Parking

Phase two of Cookeville’s North Cedar Avenue Streetscape project underway, with the removal of streetside parking underway. Cookeville Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said 17 roadside parking spots will be removed. She said the street is too tight for two lanes of traffic and parking on each side of the street. She said this […]