Lebanon, TN - Lebanon leaders traveled to Gallatin and Springfield on May 22, 2008 to learn about successful planning, funding and implementation efforts underway in community revitalization in each CRT community as illustrated in the CRT Quality Growth Toolbox.  Lebanon Co-Chairs John McDearman and Magi Tilton, along with Paul Farmer, Maynard Pate, Paul Stumb and other key city and business leaders made the trip along with Cyril Stewart of AIA Middle Tennessee, Greer Broemel of GNRC and Bridget Jones and Dave Keiser of CRT.  Much thanks to all that participated! 

In Gallatin the group met with panel members Mayor Jo Ann Graves, Planning Director Jim Svoboda, Greater Gallatin and CRT Director Reggie Mudd and Economic Development Director Clay Walker.  During the visit the group was briefed on the Gallatin Downtown Master Plan along with successful local and state financing strategies for street scape and community facility investments including the impressive Court House Square and Library projects under construction at the current time.   

In Springfield the group met with Robertson County Mayor Howard Bradley, Robertson/Springfield Chamber Executive Director and CRT Director Margot Fosnes and Springfield City Manager Paul Nutting.  During the visit the group walked the boundaries of the Court House Square and Springfield Historic Neighborhood project areas and saw the mid-town portion of the successful Springfield Greenway Project that connects the core of the City to the outer areas of Springfield.  Several innovative financing techniques used by Springfield were discussed as good possibilities for Lebanon in future revitalization efforts.  The group also toured the Robertson County Courthouse and learned about the successful renovation of this majestic Courthouse that is the gem of the Springfield Historic Square.  This visit concluded with discussions of successful project leadership approaches used in both the Robertson County and Lebanon Quality Growth Toolbox Pilot projects by Mayor Howard Bradley and Margot Fosnes, Robertson County Quality Growth Co-Chairs.   

The next steps for the Lebanon Advisory Committee will be a walking survey of their city center project area and a site visit to Franklin and Columbia to learn more successful design and funding approaches in these Main Street communities in June and July of 2008.  The group plans to make recommendations to Lebanon City Officials in early August of 2008, the one year anniversary of their AIA 150 Blueprint for America Workshop.  CRT will continue to staff the project effort and keep you posted on their progress!