By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy Paris City Commission meeting Thursday afternoon, a group of property owners in the Fairgrounds Rd/Royal Oak Rd. area presented a petition “strongly rejecting” the city’s plan for a sidewalk project. Group spokesman Ron Davis said they aren’t against the new sidewalk that is planned “but we’re against the current plan” for the project.
Davis told the commission the plan as it stands now now, would have “a negative impact on our properties” and it has no provisions for adequately addressing drainage issues in that neighborhood. The group requested that the city “look at and reviewing the plan” again, he said.
At a special community input meeting in September, City Officials and TLM Engineer Bob Safin outlined the scope of the project for the group. The city was awarded a Transportation Alternatives grant for the project, which officials said will improve safety and connectivity for pedestrians in the community.
In her update on the project, City Manager Kim Foster said TLM continues to work on preliminary plan development. They also have revised the layout and grading twice based on meetings with the Henry County Fair Association.
In other business:
–The City Commission approved a request from the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee to remove trees from the Industrial Park property. Industrial Committee Executive Director Rob Goad has been working to develop approximately 400 acress between the Hwy. 218 bypass and Russell St. into a marketable industrial park.
Progress has been slow, Foster said, due to the lack of available funds and the expense of development.
Goad and city staff requested approval of up to $100,000 be committed to the removal of trees from 100-plus acres of the site which would follow Goad’s plan for facilitating the next step of development and make more effective use of grand money the city has been awarded.
–After a presentation by Goad and City Attorney James Smith, the commission gave the go-ahead to transfer of the former Emerson property. Ultimately, Goad said, the goal will be for the property to be donated to the Industrial Committee, which in turn would allow the city to develop the property. But, he and Smith said, TDEC will have the say-so over what happens with the property. Negotiations are continuing with the parties.
–The commission approved a request from Animal Control Officer Zack Braham for $40,000 for repairs, upgrades and appliance additions to the animal shelter. At the end of Fiscal Year 2025, the Animal Shelter received two significant donations for shelter upgrades. Due to the timing of the donations, the upgrades were unable to be implemented before the end of the fiscal year.
–Liana Compton, Finance Director, reported that the city started the new Fiscal Year with another increase in retail sales tax revenue. The month of July was up 7.66 percent compared to July of last year.
–The Commission approved a resolution supporting a TDOT Transportation Planning Grant. Due to the abundant growth of the community and anticipated continued growth, Foster said, staff feel it would be a good idea to apply for a TDOT Transportation Planning Grant—Corridor Study. Some $25,000 in matching funds was pledged.
Photo: Group spokesperson Ron Davis at the podium. Shannon McFarlin photo.