May 18, 2013
ALCOA, Tenn. (WVLT) -- While the City of Alcoa hopes a new commercial development could provide a boost to its economy, neighbors worry all the new traffic headed to a "new Turkey Creek" would upset the quiet neighborhood they have grown to love.
"It's a quiet community. The roads don't have lines on them," said Becki McGaha. "Children still play in their yards and in the street because it's safe enough to do that."
Neighbors near Springbrook Park say they're okay with the city's new development plan to bring shops and eateries to the old West Plant site. But they don't want the cars and crowds to change their quiet home.
The city of Alcoa has presented three alternatives for a secondary road to connect to Mill Street, while the development's main entrance on Hunt Road interchange is redesigned in 5 to 8 years.
The city estimates each of the three options will cost around six million dollars, split evenly between the developer, the city, and TDOT.
"We just need to pick one and get it moving. We've got retailers that are interested and they need to know an opening date for the roadway," said City Manager Mark Johnson. "Whichever one they (the community) think is best in the short term and long term is what we'll go with.
City leaders will be listening for the next two days to their voices, before moving forward with an option next week.
The city will host two open houses at the City of Alcoa Service Center, 725 Universal Street. The first one will be on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the second will be Wednesday from 9:00 to 6:00 p.m.
