Downtown Franklin Riverwalk Plan Unveiled

The current is picking up with the proposed Franklin Riverwalk, which will sprinkle development, trails and Harpeth River access points along a stretch of the river from near Pinkerton Park to the corner of Bridge Street and First Avenue North.

At the joint work session of the Franklin Municipal Planning Commission and Board of Mayor and Alderman, the specifics were unveiled in a proposed resolution that alters the city’s zoning ordinance to allow development within the flood plain.

Visualizing the Riverwalk

Franklin Riverwalk Concept

 

The amendment would allow a network of multi-use pedestrian and bike paths that wind with the river from southeast of First Avenue down to Bridge Street, with more paths, in a circle on the south side of Main Street and east of First Avenue where there is a wider area of land currently not being used.

The amendment would allow for development in a few spots east of First Avenue South and south of the corner where First Avenue meets Bridge Street. Due to concerns about building within the 100-year floodplain, the only areas that can be developed are those no lower than the contour line of 630 feet above sea level. Downtown Franklin mostly sits at about 643 feet above sea level. The contour line of 630 feet is about a 150 feet from First Avenue South and gets closer and closer to the street before meeting it at the corner of First Avenue South when it turns east into Bridge Street.

Areas designated for possible development are a contiguous area fronting First Avenue South from the south end the property to East Main Street, zigging and zagging a bit with the contour line but gradually narrowing as it reaches Main Street. And then the other potentially developable area is a roughly half-acre square-shaped lot south of Bridge Street, where the contour line is only about 20 feet from the river.

The contour line in relation to the river also gets closer to the water as one goes north. A river walk will follow the river, with multi-use pedestrian paths shown in the big generally triangular shaped area between the river and 1st Avenue North down to Main street.

Plans also show an overlook south of Franklin Road before it crosses the river.

There are two river-access points for canoes or kayaks, one just north of the Franklin Road bridge over the river and the other on the far south part of the property.

In the developable areas, there will be a base zoning district, if the ordinance passes its required three readings, starting in June.

The base zone, which allows the same uses as the rest of downtown, makes a specific amendment to prohibit the building of assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, hospitals, nursing/convalescent homes, bed and breakfast establishments, hotels, boutique hotels, and residential use.

The actual riverwalk will be a minimum of 12 feet wide, but can shrink to as little as 8 feet in portions of the path to minimize disturbance to existing vegetation or environmental constraints.

Parking areas will be screened from the paths, and buildings will face both the street and the paths.

Very large versions of the concept plan can be found here.