City Council clears way for new park for industry

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The City Council approved the annexation of about 230 acres of land on Tuesday, clearing the way for the largest industrial park in the city’s history – Partnership Park II.

"This really is unprecedented," said Mayor David Shumaker. "The businesses that locate there will bring their families with them, and most of the workers likely will come from the Bristol area. One of the problems we had in recruiting businesses and industry was that we didn’t have a place to put them."

The site, considered a prime location, is bordered by Weaver Pike to the east, state Route 394 to the south, the Bristol Metals industrial plant and Norfolk Southern to the north, and private properties to the west.

NETWORKS Sullivan County Economic Development Partnership owns the park. The joint development partnership purchased the land for about $3.3 million. Sullivan County issued a bond to buy the property and each partner will help pay down that debt.

The approximate cost to each partner for the land is Sullivan County, $1.7 million; Kingsport, $1 million; Bristol, Tenn., $560,000; and Bluff City, $33,000.

Council members also amended the city’s

zoning map to designate several parcels forming Partnership Park II, as well as a portion of the Weaver Pike right of way between Bristol Metals Road and state Route 394 as a general industrial district.

The designation allows for uses such as manufacturing and distribution facilities, warehouses and others.

Council members also awarded a $1.45 million contract to Johnson City’s Thomas Construction for the second phase of the U.S. Highway 11E pedestrian improvement project around Bristol Motor Speedway.

This phase involves construction of a 20-foot-wide concrete sidewalk on the east side of the highway from Whitetop Road north to Beaver Creek and construction of a 10-foot-wide concrete sidewalk on the west side of the highway from Maplehurst Lane to just north of the Exide Drive intersection.

The money will come from a $1.27 million Tennessee Department of Transportation grant and a 20 percent local match shared by the city and the speedway. The match totals $318,000 and will be split with the city paying 25 percent and BMS paying 75 percent.

"We’ve received a total of three grants so far, including this one," said Rex Montgomery, a transportation planner. "I don’t know what the start date is for this phase, but getting the grant will help us to continue the project without interruption. We plan on applying for a fourth grant of about $720,000 by the end of the month to complete the project."

The third phase, which is the final segment of renovations, will include sidewalks on the east side of Volunteer Parkway from Earhart campground north to Volunteer Baptist Church, and on the west side of Volunteer Parkway from Exide Drive north to the BMS parking area.

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