Kingston Springs Pilot Project

Kingston Springs leaders are working together to focus on Open Space Conservation and Historic Town Center Re-development.  Their joint objectives of open space conservation and town center revitalization for enhanced livability and economic development opportunities were the prevailing reason for city and community leaders to call for this Quality Growth Toolbox/AIA 150 BluePrint for America pilot project that build upon community visioning, revitalization and design efforts underway as this pilot project was organized in the Spring of 2008.    

Kingston Springs community leaders Marion Fowlkes and City Manager Laurie Cooper worked with the City Council, Planning Commission and CRT Consultants to organize community visioning sessions with targeted community leaders  and also worked with the local newspaper that led to the region’s most progressive community visioning and design workshop.   Results and recommendations allowed Kingston Springs officials to request project planning assistance through TDOT for the Interstate Exit portion of their community.  Kingston Springs citizen’s call for a safer, walkable/bikeable and more attractive gateway into Kingston Springs and Cheatham County led to an excellent Transportation Planning Report for this community’s use in determining next steps for Strategic Implementation.    

CRT thanks Kingston Springs Mayor John McLeroy, Vice Mayor Pam Lorenz, Commissioners Gary Corlew, Craig Kitch and Jim Schippers, along with Co-Chairs Marion Fowlkes and Laurie Cooper for their leadership on this successful Rural Hamlet Toolbox Pilot Project.  A snapshot of the process this community followed is as follows:

Collaborative Leadership
  • Kingston Springs Co-Chairs, Marion Fowlkes & Laurie Cooper, confirmed for AIA 150 Blueprint for America/Quality Growth Toolbox Pilot Project in November 2007
  • Community Focus Groups for AIA Workshop held in February and March 2008
Visioning & Consensus
  • Kingston Springs Toolbox Pilot Underway with AIA Blueprint Workshop held on March 14-15, 2008
  • Community Rollout Event held on June 24, 2008
  • Quality Growth Toolbox Technical Assistance Services underway in July of 2008
  • Kingston Springs City Council endorsed the AIA Workshop findings in Fall of August 2008 and began exploration of planning processes and funding for specific areas/features of the community
Program Action

  • Formal request for TDOT planning assistance with I-40 Interstate Exchange submitted in September 2008
  • TDOT Request for planning assistance for I-40 Interstate Exchange approved in October 2008
Strategic Leadership
  • TDOT / Kingston Springs/Gresham Smith Kick Off meeting held on November 7, 2008
  • Initial Gresham Smith Site Visit and Project Startup meeting scheduled for February 10, 2009
  • TDOT and Gresham Smith present Transportation Planning Report (TPR) to Kingston Springs City Council and Planning Commissioners on September 17, 2009
  • Kingston Springs Advisory Committee explored TDOT and other funding and incentives in October 2009
Citizen Involvement Totals
  • Two key community leaders agreed to serve as Co-Chairs and 12 elected officials and community leaders agreed to serve as Advisory Committee for AIA 150 Visioning Workshop project
  • Over 40 citizens and local officials participated in focus groups in preparation of AIA 150 Community Visioning Workshop in February, 2008
  • Over 100 citizens and local officials participated in AIA 150 Community Visioning/Design Workshop on March 14 – 15, 2008 at Harpeth High School in Kingston Springs
  • Over 50 citizens and local officials attended the Kingston Spring Rollout event on June 24, 2008.
  • Twenty prominent community leaders continue to work with AIA 150 Report recommendations and submitted request through Kingston Springs Mayor and City Council for TDOT Planning and Design Assistance for the Interstate Exit portion of their community
  • Twenty city officials and community leaders continue to serve on TDOT/Gresham Smith I-40 Interstate Exchange Planning Project
Total Participation: More than 150 participants