On Monday, demolition began on what is known as the “Hill Property” located at 403 and 405 5th Avenue North in Franklin.
City of Franklin Administrator Eric Stuckey explained in a Facebook Live Monday morning that the 60-year-old buildings that were once part of public works are being demolished to make way for a possible mixed-use development that includes affordable/workforce housing (housing that is priced at a rate that is attainable for the average worker, ie: police officers, teachers etc….).
Watch the demolition video below.
A video was posted on a proposed look for a mixed residential design scenario. Take a look at the video below. To learn more about Hill Property, visit the City of Franklin website.
The Hill Property should be the location of Franklin’s new City Hall. It would serve as a great anchor on 5th Avenue North, where City staff wants infill, and it would have a commanding view of Bicentennial Park and its future growth.
The Hill Property is large enough to support a 2-3 story City Hall and ample parking for employees and visitors. It complies with the current zoning and is the most appropriate use of property adjacent to a cemetery.
Permanently relocating City Hall means not having to temporarily (12-16 months) relocate it during construction at its present location. This would eliminate a logistical nightmare and significantly reduce the overall cost of the project.
City Hall does not belong downtown on the Square; it’s not a tourist attraction, it generates zero revenue based on location, it increases traffic downtown and reduces available parking.
Leasing or selling the current location will generate enough revenue for attainable housing, or other projects, to more than make up for what could have been built on the Hill Property. Selling the current City Hall may generate enough money to pay for the new City Hall, saving Franklin tax payers $20 million.
POSITIVE
No (year+) temporary move for City Hall
Decrease traffic around the Square
Increase available parking downtown
Gets the ball rolling on 5th Ave. N. infill
Provides tremendous (current & future) revenue opportunities for present location
Allows for more appropriate infill at present location
New City Hall would never flood
NEGATIVE
Eliminates potential for attainable housing on the Hill Property