If any of you have taken a left off of Wilcox onto East Sullivan Street you will notice the unfortunate site of the old foundry. Several people have commented to me that something has to be done sooner than later to clean up this mess. It’s unfortunately a main gateway into Downtown Kingsport and when we invite people to our downtown we purposely redirect them to Center Street so they don’t have to see this scar of Downtown’s landscape. A Downtown that is lacking in residential, greenspace, and mixed used commercial could do well here, especially with its location so close to Eastman. Downtown Lofts can’t be built quickly enough to meet the demand and I’ve heard mention from several citizens and business owners that they would like to see more green space downtown. I have to say that a metal reclamation center is not my idea of an aesthetically pleasing welcome into our downtown. Even disregrarding aesthetics, this eyesore has an economic impact as well.
Here is the beginning of the Times News Article:
KEDB votes to ask city to rezone Kingsport Foundry property
Published 05/06/2008 By Rick Wagner
“KINGSPORT — Talk of a new metal reclamation business on the old Kingsport Foundry site has prompted a proposal to rezone the property and surrounding areas.
The rezonings — from M-2, general industrial district, to B-2, central business district…”
Click on the following to read the full article by Rick Wagner of the Kingsport Times News:“KEDB votes to ask city to rezone Kingsport Foundry property”
An article well worth reading. If you support this kind of action, it is imperative that you tell your Mayor and Alderman. You can make your comments at (423) 229-9400 and ask to speak with Terry Hilliard or Joy Carter.
