Kingsport offers updates on capital improvement projects
Every year, the City of Kingsport funds a variety of capital projects for the betterment of the city and its citizens. Capital projects normally involve renovating or expanding existing facilities, new construction projects or infrastructure improvements.
Projects of these types are funded with bonds and are meant to improve the quality of life for residents, to attract visitors to our city and to last for several generations.
Kingsport currently has a number of high profile capital projects in the pipeline, including an expansion of the Justice Center, the Main Street rebuild, the renovation of the Kingsport Public Library and an upgrade to the Nature Center at Bays Mountain Park.
The Justice Center project involves expanding the footprint of the building into the existing parking lot, adding two new courtrooms and additional space for the Kingsport Police Department, while bringing all court functions under one roof.
Kingsport’s Sustainable Paving Program looks to focus on the Tellico Hills section of Fairacres this year, paving approximately 1.7 miles of roads within the neighborhood. All told, Kingsport plans to use $2.5 million in MTPO (Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization) funds and $3.6 million in city funds on street resurfacing this year.
The final design for the Kingsport Public Library renovation is scheduled to be wrapped up this spring. This project will double the size of the children’s area and provide dedicated children’s programming space, install a new elevator, create four additional study rooms, allocate space for history and genealogy and provide dedicated and expanded teen and makerspace.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this year and take approximately 14 to 18 months to complete.
Bays Mountain Park has several improvements in the works, including expanding the footprint of the gift shop, renovating and right-sizing employee offices, replacing the carpet in the lobby with vinyl flooring and creating a new, more pronounced entrance to the planetarium.
This first phase of the project should be done by the end of May. Other park improvements include the Fox Den playground (under design), the restoration of the Observation Tower (funding recently secured) and the construction of a new otter habitat (expected completion in 2026).
This information was presented to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during a day-long, strategic planning session held February 23 at city hall. The BMA heard updates from staff on the city’s finances, economic development efforts and budget priorities and challenges for the coming year.
To view the presentations from the strategic planning session, visit www.kingsporttn.gov.