GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

[Dignann]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

Annexation around Rippavilla moves forward

By JILL CECIL WIERSMA

The Tennessean [Nashville, Tenn.]
November 15, 2007

SPRING HILL — A request to annex more than 500 acres around Rippavilla for development will go to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen after approval Tuesday by the Planning Commission.

Planning Commissioner Gwynne Evans voted against the request, saying the land was supposed to be preserved as a buffer around the historic plantation.

"That's what we got told anyway," Evans said, adding that they were "sold a bill of goods" in 1985 when General Motors deeded the land to the Maury County Industrial Development Board in lieu of taxes.

GM is selling the land as surplus. Attorney Huntly Gordon asked the commission to annex 513.75 acres for his client, Trace Investment Partners, saying the developer has a "hard contract" for the land, which it would develop over the next five to 10 years.

In accordance with its agreement with the industrial board, GM is deeding roughly 100 acres adjacent to the plantation to the nonprofit Rippavilla Inc.

Maury County had hoped GM would accept its $946,000 bid for 85 acres near Rippavilla.

According to an Oct. 15 letter to Maury County Mayor James Bailey explaining why GM would not accept the county's offer, GM officials cited difficulties in dividing the property and said they consider the 100-acre donation a show of support for historic preservation in the community.

"We are working with our selected developer of this site, Trace Investment Partners, whom has expressed their initial support for working with the county involving the property," Holly Milewski, senior project manager for GM, said in the letter.

"At this time, we would like for the developer to begin working directly with the county as they begin their site development plans, and will coordinate a meeting between the county and the developer at your request."

The board meets 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 199 Town Center Parkway.

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/COUNTY090101/711150344/1165/COUNTY09

Eric

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

"A crust of bread given for the whole loaf lost..."

Who is at-a-loss here? It's preservationists - that's who.

I suppose GM will act like they are doing Rippavilla a favor that they gave them even 100 acres.

This land is some of the last land left undeveloped of a battlefield where Americans shed their blood to make the wonderful country we have today stronger, a world power, and the American people greater. When we lose it, it is gone forever.

The only thing built on this land should be a monument to their sacrifices for us, their posterity... the only thing said about the land should be prayers for those that died there fighting for what they believed America to be.

Will Rippavilla fight this or are they lucky to get 100 acres?

I suppose the almighty dollar will win-out like usual.

Sick, sad, unfortunate...

Johnny:baring_te

[Craig L Barry]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

100 acres is a decent parcel of land. That is enough for a 18 hole golf course (or most of one). If the hundred acres is preserved and deeded to Rippavilla Plantation, that is good news.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

"If the hundred acres is preserved and deeded to Rippavilla Plantation, that is good news."

Ladies 'n' Gents-

Not meaning to sound angry an any particular individual. Those that know me know I'm naturally jovial and love a good laugh. ;)

... but I'm a bit bummed over this. How about ya'll?

I reckon it is a good thing all the land wasn't taken... a good thing to a point, but too bad we couldn't keep all of it from being a Wal-Mart.

Isn't anyone a little upset at this? Is there an organized petition/protest?

When those 500 acres are fully developed into houses/businesses how much noise pollution, visual pollution of the landscape, environmental pollution and other problems with urban sprawl "Generica" (strip malls, outlet stores, housing developments, fast food joints, car dealerships, etc- garbage like that) will further encroach upon the rest of the 100 acres? I'm thinking 50-100 years down the road... we have to worry about the future generations having these places to understand and study how they were and how they relate to their own American heritage.

The 100 acres can be deeded to the plantation foundation just fine...great it will be done so. However, I have lived quite near a golf course for most of my life (my parents still live there) and I know that pollution from the surrounding 500 acres that are developed inevitably creep into the 100 acres that aren't.

This hits close to me, I guess. I was at Outpost and have seen what a beautiful land it is. When Mr. Hicks graciously showed me around that beautiful property and area after the event, it hurt (even just a little) to hear him say "that was once over there, but not there anymore".

I think this way because I am from an area that doesn't (and hasn't) cared enough about development of its own natural/cultural lands either. Companies/individuals can do what they want with their own property, but there has to be a limit on whether or not any further development on known and proven crucial American battlefields (Gettysburg, Murfreesboro, et al.) are further destroyed. Development is inevitable, but there is a fine art and soft science (with lots of politicking, as you might know) of as to what should be preserved for future generations of Americans to enjoy.

I also am wary that maybe at some time in the future, hobbyists will have to have their events in parking lots that were once part of major battlefields. :(

My 2 cents is as good as anyone elses... and ya'll know "what opinions are like"... ;)

Most unfortunate... :(

Thanks-Johnny

[Craig L Barry]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

The time to do something on this loss of land is past. This is why it is critical to preserve the remaining battlefield land aggressvely. If one hundred acres of "lost land" is regained, the point is that is good. Ruling out time travel, one cannot go back to 1985 and get the whole parcel from GM.

The Watchdog will be doing another de-farbed Enfield raffle in conjunction with Todd Watts, and the CCG battlefield preservation fund for Cedar Creek Battlefield in 2008. If more get involved in preservation activities (this raffle will raise between $2000 to $2500) similarly, more can be done. Complaining is a waste of time, time being another non-renewable resource.The better question to ask yourselves...what are you willing to do?

[Spinster]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

Any word as to which 100 acres?

While the 'look' of the Rippavilla frontage would be more preserved by having the bulk of it on the highway, I'm figuring that property holds too much monetary development value to set aside.

Selfishly, I'm hoping both the mule memoribilia and Brown's Stand are not lost to the dozers, but both are set so far back from Rippavilla, I'm figuring they are not a part of the 100 Acre Wood either.

[pipthelimey]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

Well Karma sucks. I'll never buy a GM vehicle again, and the letter I just sent to them to that effect might not make much of a difference, but who knows.

We've had two small victories in Georgia, Resaca and Nash Farm, both as the result of reenactors efforts and government intervention. Unfortunately, there is a well-organized enemy who attacks daily on a hundred battlefronts across the country. Tennesseans, the only hope on this one is calling friendly legislators, congressmen, and US Senators. Who knows, it only takes one. In the case of Nash Farm, it was one county councilwoman who listened to a reenactor long enouch to get really pissed off at a developer. She went and made it an issue, and the county ended up condemning the land, and paying off the developer. I think Tennessee, especially the Franklin corridor stands to make a lot more, long-term over sustained historical tourism then off the property taxes of whatever monstrosity they slap up.

[Thomas Alleman]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

This means war. Sprawl is a word made famous by this century. It is a word which does not respect our land, our county, our future. It speaks of how little we respect ourselves. I see it and it makes me weep for the future. When the indians placed a small price on the land they believed no one could own they lost more than they could imagine. Many were wiped out because of land greed. This destruction shows we do not care as a county about the resources we so praise to God we have. Waste not want not. GM does not understand that what they do and where does affect what people think of the company. We can show what these places where our ancestors died for are important and are not mearly a place to put another Super Whatever. We must try to stop this. Make this our new battleground for history will judge us to. Reenacting I know for all of us on here mean more than just cool clothes and hanging out. We take serious deication to be stewards of history to show how it was and what it did to this country. We give no sugar coating and none should be. This war changed our whole makeup, moved us to a modern society and settled long standing issues not resolved by the revolutionary war. These forgotten men gave so much we must now give back as much as we can. I know this is a bit dramatic but when do we say no more. Think of all the other sits lost or may lose this is what the future lies if we do not stop this here. There must be someone with common sence in Tennesee. Again it just tears me up inside. I drive from Michigan to many far events and spend alot of money but it is worth it to fight on original fields or march where they marched. I need to give more myself. What says you?

Thomas Alleman

[coastaltrash]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

The monstrosities are well in place as we speak. At last drive, about a day ago, there sat a Khol's, a Cracker Barrel and a Super Target along with several other strips sitting on the Spring Hill Battlefield. Good luck getting anyone in Spring Hill to listen, most have not been around long enough to care, and more importantly the city and county government is made up of the "enemy"-land developers.

[Thomas Alleman]

Here is the plan

http://www.us.am.joneslanglasalle.com/NR/rdonlyres/D08020E7-6F9C-49EB-8759-590EF4798865/0/SpringHillBrochure.pdf

Well no more reenacting here.


Thomas Alleman

[BrianHicks]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

The image posted above, is rather old. As the Proposed Krogers, the Target and the Kohls are already in place. The area within the red line, is what we had to maneuver on during the recent Outpost event sponsored by the WIG. At best, that little parcel may be all that remains undeveloped..

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

GM's hurting for money ever since their cars aren't selling because of gas prices being so high.

Gotta sell-off the land to make a buck. Pains me to look at that brochure.

Big Business- 1, Preservation- 0...

-Johnny

[Thomas Alleman]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

SPRING HILL — A request to annex more than 500 acres around Rippavilla for development will go to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen after approval Tuesday by the Planning Commission.

Planning Commissioner Gwynne Evans voted against the request, saying the land was supposed to be preserved as a buffer around the historic plantation.




"That's what we got told anyway," Evans said, adding that they were "sold a bill of goods" in 1985 when General Motors deeded the land to the Maury County Industrial Development Board in lieu of taxes.

GM is selling the land as surplus. Attorney Huntly Gordon asked the commission to annex 513.75 acres for his client, Trace Investment Partners, saying the developer has a "hard contract" for the land, which it would develop over the next five to 10 years.

In accordance with its agreement with the industrial board, GM is deeding roughly 100 acres adjacent to the plantation to the nonprofit Rippavilla Inc.

Maury County had hoped GM would accept its $946,000 bid for 85 acres near Rippavilla.

According to an Oct. 15 letter to Maury County Mayor James Bailey explaining why GM would not accept the county's offer, GM officials cited difficulties in dividing the property and said they consider the 100-acre donation a show of support for historic preservation in the community.

"We are working with our selected developer of this site, Trace Investment Partners, whom has expressed their initial support for working with the county involving the property," Holly Milewski, senior project manager for GM, said in the letter.

"At this time, we would like for the developer to begin working directly with the county as they begin their site development plans, and will coordinate a meeting between the county and the developer at your request."

The board meets 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 199 Town Center Parkway.



What gets me most is all this is to GM is SURPLUS land, it means nothing to them. So give it to Rippivilla.

Thomas Alleman

[Infantry Grunt]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

Spring Hill is such a nice area in TN. Unfortunately that the area is such a fast growing area of Middle Tennessee that land is at a premium. Perhaps things will take a turn for the better and some of the land will be saved from keeping it from being developed.

[Thomas Alleman]

Re: GM to develop the Rippavilla property.

Could anyone that lives around there post any info on the "progress" of the site and meeting updates. This is such a big piece of property to lose it is almost crimminal what we with our land. I have GM's headquarters in my home town and I plan to let them know what I think so help me GOD.

Sprawl is not the answer to getting away from it. The it just follws you around. As a Urban Planning/Historic Preservationist and living near Detroit I see what happens first hand by Sprawl. A whole city with all those millions of dollars of infrastructure going to waste, unused, abandoned. Now the older suburbs are paying because of new sprawl in other communities. Why is it that land is so cheap and so abused. Comunties do not think for the future they just seen green and not the good kind.