by Samantha Hearn, Home Page Media
Nolensville is growing quickly, with the Metropolitan Planning Organization predicting 160,000 new residents in the Williamson County area within the next 20 years.
In response to that growth, developers have crafted a Nolensville Market Square to connect the Town’s past with its future through an innovative “new historic” downtown concept. On Tuesday night they submitted their concept plan to the Nolensville Planning Commission.
Nolensville resident and developer with Mill Creek Property Development, LLC Jeff Pate said that the Town is limited when the sun goes down.
“We need a place where folks can go to create family memories, a place to have a street fair, a place where we can stroll and listen to live music and have dinner or ice cream, or just shop for groceries,” he said. “Nolensville has reached a critical mass where demand for goods and services can support that kind of lifestyle. Our town is poised for growth, but it needs to be smart growth.”
Pate is spearheading the development of Nolensville Market Square, a new, mixed-use development in the heart of town. It will be located behind Town Hall, and will have the look and feel of as if it’s been there for 100 years and has grown and developed organically within the community.
The development will have office, retail, restaurant and residential components, all in a walkable, community-centric environment. The 250,000 square foot complex envisioned by Pate and his partners will incorporate elements of contemporary design while paying homage to Nolensville’s history. The concept is referred to as Nolensville’s New Historic Downtown.
The submitted plan includes seven buildings, with four of them being four stories, two being three stories and one being one story. No tenants have been announced as of yet.
Architect and Chair of the Town’s Economic and Community Development Committee Tyler Thayer said that the project is a perfect example of marrying the Town’s desire for high quality design and historic small town ambience, with sound economic policy.
“From a community development perspective, it offers a 360 degree, holistic piece of the puzzle to give us that ‘sense of place’ where our citizens can enjoy community and where great events can happen,” Thayer said. “From an architectural perspective, it is about creating a high quality, long-lasting, ecological, future-informing experience. From an economic perspective, I believe this development will enhance a strong business climate.”
As Nolensville’s residential growth continues to expand, traffic can be a concern. The developers of the project are conducting traffic and impact studies, while working with Town planners to optimize traffic flow.
“With our intentional mix of retail, office and residential, Nolensville Market Square may even help alleviate traffic congestion,” Pate said. “Town residents won’t need to clog major traffic arteries to travel to neighboring towns to enjoy the amenities afforded in their own home town.”
As population grows and additional stress it put on the town’s budget for resources like community services, parks, schools and streets, town leaders are looking to the business community to help bridge the gap in funding.
“We have had a lot of residential development in the last few years, but it does not pay for itself,” Mayor Jimmy Alexander said. “We have to have commercial to pay for itself. Without commercial we are in a heap of trouble.”
Nolensville Market Square is expected to generate almost $1,250,000 in new tax revenue, which will be divided between the county and the town. The project’s developers, who closed on the property adjacent to Town Hall on April 15, are working closely with town officials, the Planning Commission and the Trees and Trails Committee to ensure the new historic downtown serves to unify the Town Hall with a cohesive, true mixed-use development.
“We are committed to providing a healthy, enduring and well-built center for the town, its community and its future,” Pate said. “A big part of that commitment involves creating a new historic downtown that is in harmony with Nolensville’s comprehensive Greenway system that links the town’s neighborhoods, businesses, recreational and educational facilities.”
The $90 million project is being designed, funded and built by members of the community including Pate, Stephen Prince, Justin Hastings and Scott Kohrs. Mill Creek Property Development is a partnership committed to building the development.
For more information visit www.nolensvillemarketsquare.com.
