Franklin plans made public

[dusty27]

Battlefield park plans to be presented to public Three concepts play off history of Lewisburg Pike property By KEVIN WALTERS Staff Writer http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070129/COUNTY090101/701290319/1352/RSS0609 Published: Monday, 01/29/07 FRANKLIN — Consultants will present plans tonight to the public for a Civil War battlefield park off Lewisburg Pike at the former Country Club of Franklin. The plans suggest potential sites for a battlefield visitors center: on the site of the former golf course clubhouse, on property owned by nearby Carnton Plantation or at a location near the plantation's historic barns. Some city aldermen and nearby residents — including former members of the country club — have been sharply critical in the past about the project's cost and impact on nearby neighborhoods. Cost won't be something that likely comes up at tonight's informational session with architects from West Chester, Pa.-based John Milner Associates. The price tag will be discussed at later sessions. Instead, tonight's session will be used to discuss creating the overall vision for the park and for architects to collect feedback. "I want a park that doesn't just appeal to tourists," said Alderman Pam Lewis, chairwoman of the city's parks committee. "At the end of the day the citizens of Franklin and Williamson County are the ones who will be served by this park on a day-to-day basis. I want it to be basic and user-friendly and dovetail in with the existing community." The 110-acre park will commemorate the 1864 Battle of Franklin. As of late Friday, Lewis said she had not seen the plans yet but planned to study them over the weekend. Plans under review Here's a brief overview of the architects' proposals: • After demolishing the former clubhouse, a new interpretative center could be built on its location. Vehicle traffic would be limited to the west side of the site. • The interpretative center could be built on the nearby Carnton Plantation property and provide easy access to the Fleming Center that Carnton officials want to build. However, there would be no restrooms on the park property for park visitors to use. • A center could be built on the site of former Carnton barns and provide close proximity to Carnton. Aside from the $2.5 million officials approved last year to spend on the park, Franklin has agreed to provide John Milner Associates Inc. $110,000 for its work on the project. Private sources raised an additional $2.5 million for the park. Lewis believes that the park will drive the creation of new revenue through historic tourism. "We don't have to create history, we've got it," Lewis said. "All we have to do is present it." Published: Monday, 01/29/07

[brown]

Re: Franklin plans made public

What a difference this would/will make, esp as I reflect on visiting the cemetary.

[Silver Spring Guards]

Re: Franklin plans made public

For thoses who havent visited its beautiful ground .. cant wait till they do somthing with it.

[tsgalloway]

Re: Franklin plans made public

I agree... Franklin is definately a must see battlefield.

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Franklin plans made public

I'm just curious if anyone lives there and could comment on the size of this clubhouse? I'm just wondering if there isn't a way to just rehab the clubhouse for the uses of the VC.

I am glad to see Franklin is taking an interest in their Civil War history, whether or not if it is a day late and a dollar short.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Franklin plans made public

I've been to the club house for more than one function. It could be used as a visitors center. I don't know why they don't just use it. Even if just to get started for 5-10 years and get tourism up. Make some money to pay off the battlefield and save up for a new building. Also this week the Carnton Plantation next door announced plans to build a visitors center. They've operated one out of a doublewide trailor for years and want to build a nice permanent facility. It's two different organizations on neighboring property, but they are serving the same thing. They need to build one building and share it. If Franklin does tons of battlefield reclamation but every parcel is owned by someone else, each property will charge to see their area; Carter House, Carnton Plantation, Fort Granger/Winstead Hill/new property and visitors center (all city properties), Lotz House (used to be a museum), etc. One paid price to all properties, yes higher than just one, but less than the sum of all is what needs to be done. Once visitors buy their "One Pass" to all properties and the properties are all listed on it, they'll go see all of them. If they have to buy a new ticket at every stop and they remain separate, I think it will detract from the visitors overall experience in Franklin.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Franklin plans made public

Em and Matt,
To reuse the clubhouse, renovate it and drive the cost down on the project would mean that someone in Franklin would need to pull their heads from their self serving backside and think one clear thought. The funniest thing to me about the Pizza Hut being torn down is while all of these important people are speaking on reclaiming Franklin you could look across the street and see new construction, not way down the road, but about 100 feet from where everyone was standing.

The only problem with the idea I can tell Matt is the arguement over funds. Who is entitled to how much money? Should Carnton get the same money as Granger etc? Could you function all the properties off of one budget? Hard questions, and if you ask one person at Carnton they are the most important piece in the Franklin puzzle, if you ask one person at the Carter House then they are the most important piece, and if you ask some hobo sleeping on a bench at Fort Granger he'll probably want to know if he can have some change and why you are standing in his bedroom.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Franklin plans made public

Bro. Landrum,

You are exactly correct in your analysis of the situation currently in Franklin. And it is why I have chosen to stay out of the mix and only support them financially. No need to spend my time among warring adults. I get my fill of that here on the dear AC. I'm working to get Bro. Runyon introduced to the proper connections in Franklin so he can raise that banner. I miss your friendship in Tenn. Looking forward very much to seeing you at Vicksburg since you will not be able to attend I-600.

[Silver Spring Guards]

Re: Franklin plans made public

Gents,
I agree the Club house could be used .. just depends on how much stuff you want to put in the building.. My hope is that they all choose to to work together.