Main Street America™

2:46 pm | Monday, Aug 22nd
| No Comments

The Downtown Franklin Association, a subsidiary of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County, has been designated as an accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards set by the National Main Street Center. Each year, the National Main Street Center and its Coordinating Program partners announce the list of accredited Main Street America programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach®.

 

“Once again, we are thrilled to recognize this year’s nationally accredited Main Street America communities for their outstanding work,” says Patrice Frey, President & CEO of the National Main Street Center. “We are experiencing an exciting era for America’s cities and towns, with a growing recognition of the importance of strong local enterprise, distinctive character, engaged residents, and sense of place. These are things that Main Street America programs have been working to protect and advance for years, strengthening the economic, social, and cultural fabric of communities across the country.”

 

The organization’s performance is annually evaluated by the Tennessee Main Street Program, a division of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, which works in partnership with the National Main Street Center to identify the local programs that meet ten performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking programmatic progress and actively preserving historic buildings.

 

Historic Downtown Franklin boasts an award-winning Main Street, brick sidewalks, a stunning collection of Victorian buildings and a host of  “Best of” accolades, including “Best Small Town in Tennessee,” “America’s Most Romantic Main Street” and “One of America’s Greatest Antique Destinations,” among others. In May 2012, Franklin was ranked #4 on Livability.com‘s Best Places to Visit for Historic Preservation.

 

Recently, Travel + Leisure Magazine named Franklin 8th best town in the nation. In 2014, Garden & Gun magazine named Franklin the “Best Southern Town” following an online readers’ poll.

 

“We strive to come up with creative ways to encourage both visitors as well as locals to eat, shop and play in Historic Downtown Franklin,” DFA Director Kristy Williams said. “Our board and committee members have focused recently on partnering with the City of Franklin to meet with building owners, holiday lighting, waste removal, and public/private art initiatives.  Art Scene is celebrating its fifth year anniversary with special events held each month in 2016.  DFA University was introduced in January to provide members additional learning opportunities.  The DFA promotes all that ‘America’s Favorite Main Street’ has to offer, and building relationships to strengthen our community.”

 

The Downtown Franklin Association, established in 1984, is a non-profit committed to historic preservation and community vibrancy. Since its founding, the DFA has helped spearhead the revitalization of Franklin’s historic downtown core. The organization and its members–made up of local business owners, merchants and building owners–have done it by following the four-point program of the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation: Organization, Design, Promotion and Economic Vitality.

 

Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today, it is a network of more than 1,000 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $65.6 billion in new public and private investment, generated 556,960 net new jobs and 126,476 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 260,000 buildings. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

 

To learn more about the Franklin’s Main Street Program, please visit www.DowntownFranklinTN.com.

High Reps for High Hopes

2:42 pm | Monday, Aug 22nd
| No Comments

Resilient Health & Performance in Brentwood and CrossFit Cool Springs join forces to support local children with special needs and their families.  High Reps for High Hopes is a carnival-style fitness competition from 8am-11am on Saturday, August 27th at CrossFit Cool Springs located at 1722 General George Patton Drive in Brentwood, benefiting High Hopes Development Center, a 32-year, local non-profit offering an inclusive preschool environment for children with and without special needs, as well as an on-site pediatric therapy clinic providing physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapies to children from birth to age 21.

CrossFit Cool Springs is a fitness community and Resilient Health & Performance is both a fitness community as well as an injury rehab facility.  Fitness competitions are nothing new for local athletes, but the idea of High Reps for High Hopes is the first of its kind by these fitness collaborators.  The inspiration drew from a group of CrossFit friends which happened to include a local firefighter and preschool teacher couple who have a child with special needs.  The two local fitness business owners and various athletes unite to host this one-of-a-kind charity competition to couple the heart health benefits of fitness with the heart health benefits of giving back to the community.

So, what is a carnival-style fitness competition?  Contestants purchase “carnival tickets” to compete in various CrossFit competitions such as max pull-ups in two minutes or a mini-triathlon including one minute on the stationary bike, skier, and rower where the most calories burned will win you a prize!  Kids compete as well with challenges like seeing who can hang onto a bar the longest.  Event divisions include men, women, masters and kids, so everyone can participate.  Not much of a CrossFit competitor?  No problem!  Anyone can win one of the raffles for great items including fitness gear & apparel, lifting weights, a Fleet Feet gift package and MORE!

This family friendly charity event will also have the usual carnival tastes of popcorn and cotton candy, as well as the fun environment where all can “step right up” and compete to “win a prize”.  The big winners though, are the children and families of High Hopes Development Center.

High Hopes Development Center is a 32-year non-profit organization that loves, nurtures, and educates children with two integrated programs helping each child reach their maximum potential.  Children ages 6 weeks to Pre-K, with and without special needs, are educated together in inclusive preschool classrooms by a team of experienced teachers supporting the individual needs of each child.   High Hopes is the only inclusive preschool in Williamson County with an on-site pediatric therapy clinic, allowing children to receive therapy services during their preschool day. High Hopes is truly unique in the way that children with and without special needs such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other developmental delays play, learn, and grow together every day. The outpatient pediatric therapy clinic provides children from birth to 21 years multiple therapies in one location: occupational, speech, physical, and feeding therapies. High Hopes gives children of all intellectual, physical and mental abilities the opportunity to learn and grow together in an environment that provides a strong foundation for future academic and social success.

 

For more information, visit www.highhopesforkids.org.

2nd Annual Connections Art Show

2:39 pm | Monday, Aug 22nd
| No Comments

The Arts Council of Williamson County and Battle Ground Academy are hosting the 2nd annual Connections Art Show. This pre-holiday show is open to 2D artists in Middle Tennessee. It is our goal to increase sales for artists by hosting an end of exhibition reception, hosting several moms night out in the exhibition space and being open to the public during homecoming week at the school. Additionally, a Best in Show prize will be awarded. Click here to learn more.

Salsa & Swing Dancing

12:59 am | Tuesday, Aug 16th
| No Comments

Learn to salsa or swing dance in fun new September classes at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd.

Salsa Dancing

Salsa dancing is very popular, and you can learn all the moves in a new ongoing dance class at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. Learn about the Cuban roots and evolution of the salsa, considered a very beginner friendly dance. Salsa meets Fridays, September 2-23 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. The four-week course is $40. Register on-line at www.wcparksandrec.com. Instructor: Tijana Humphreys. For ages 15 through seniors.

Swing Dance-Night Club

Night Club Swing (also known as Night Club Two-Step) is currently one of the most popular forms of swing dance, and you can learn it in new ongoing classes at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. Have fun while learning this relaxed, slow to medium tempo style of dancing. It’s naturally suited for partner dancing, but singles are also welcome. Swing dance meets Sundays, September 11-October 2 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The four-week course is $40. Register on-line at www.wcparksandrec.com. Instructor: Tijana Humphreys. For ages 15 through seniors.

Williamson County Parks and Recreation is a public organization, here to benefit the community. Anyone may register for and participate in the department’s programs, teams, classes and events. For program registration, pass purchasing or additional information, visit www.wcparksandrec.com. You may also receive department information by “liking” Williamson County Parks and Recreation on Facebook; following us on Twitter at @wc_parksandrec or Instagram at @willcoparksandrec or on Pinterest or YouTube.

 

Raise the Roofs this weekend

12:47 am | Tuesday, Aug 16th
| No Comments

Patrons attending the Fifth Annual Friends of Franklin Parks “Raise the Roofs” fundraiser, presented by Kemp Orthodontics on Saturday, August 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will get a chance to see some of the best grand prix jumpers in the country put on an incredible display of equine athleticism.

 

Miguel Ventura and Christoph Schroeder are two of the most decorated equine grand prix show jumpers in America today, competing internationally on warmblood horses to cross a series of jumps reaching more than six feet high.

 

“This is exciting to watch, and we’ll do a condensed version of a standard grand prix jump course,” Ventura said. “We’ll get higher and higher as we go, showing the range of jumping that these horses are capable of. Christoph is now competing in million-dollar international grand prix events, so he represents the best of American jumping.”

 

Also on tap is a polo match, thanks to Franklin Polo Academy. A mix of local amateur and professional players will compete in an exhibition match that showcases the adrenaline-filled sport of arena polo. Combine that with great food and drink from 15 different local restaurants, and the event will offer something for everyone.

 

“We have more than a dozen of our favorite restaurants participating, some great auction items and a wonderful program put together for our guests,” said Torrey Barnhill, executive director of Friends of Franklin Parks. “This is an event that people look forward to each August, and it will not disappoint. The proceeds will be used to further enhance the Park at Harlinsdale Farm, and launch some other key initiatives across Franklin’s park system. We’ll be highlighting some of those projects at Raise the Roofs.”

 

Patrons can expect great food and drink from local restaurants including Buttermilk Sky Pie, Chuy’s, Circa, Cool Café, Granite City Brewery, Franklin Chop House, Jim ‘N Nick’s, the Juice Bar, Catering and Events by Suzette, Pueblo Real, Puckett’s Boat House, Scout’s Pub, Sperry’s, Taziki’s and Yat’s Cajun Creole. Each will provide a featured dish, with Lipman Brothers offering two specialty cocktails created by Cork & Cow, along with a selection of beer and wine.

 

To celebrate the end of summer, guests are being asked to wear their best seasonal whites. Tickets are $100 per person, and while front row tables are sold out, a limited number of second row tables are still available $1,100. A portion of the purchase price is tax-deductible, and tickets can be purchased online at www.friendsoffranklinparks.org.

 

With the support of key sponsors including Franklin Synergy Bank, Infiniti of Cool Springs and Tennessee Equine Hospital, the non-profit Friends of Franklin Parks partnered with the City of Franklin’s Parks Department to build and operate the multi-purpose Tractor Supply Co. Arena, which has hosted several large equestrian events this year. Funds from Raise the Roofs could be used to complete the warm-up arena, puRaise the ROofst a new roof on the restored mare barn, and benefit other projects across the 16-park system.

 

In addition to Kemp Orthodontics, major sponsors for the fifth-annual Raise the Roofs include Amy Cross Nance-Attorney at Law; Beech Creek Farm & Land Management, LLC; Bell & Associates Construction; Berry Farms – a Boyle Development; Burr & Foreman, LLP; Crab Orchard – George and Beverly Rawlings; the Franklin Noon Rotary Charitable Foundation; The Parker-McCoy Group/Morgan Stanley and Tennessee Equine Hospital.

 

For more information on sponsorship or other details, please call Friends of Franklin Parks Executive Director Torrey Barnhill at (615) 674-5388 or contact by email at torrey@friendsoffranklinparks.org. Tickets are available online at www.friendsoffranklinparks.org.

Great Americana Barbecue Festival

7:51 pm | Tuesday, Jul 26th
| No Comments

On August 27th, 2016 the air in Franklin, Tennessee will be filled with the sweet aroma of hickory smoke and simmering sauce for the inaugural ‘Great Americana Barbecue Festival’ at Harlinsdale Farm. Visitors will enjoy some of the most “finger licking good” barbecue around, prepared by professional pit masters and iron chefs from across the country.

The BBQ festival is hosted by The Franklin BBQ Society and The Franklin Noon Rotary Club (FNRC). The FNRC has dedicated over six decades of service to its community and has distributed over two million dollars to local charities. FNRC continues to produce The Franklin Rodeo, Williamson County’s longest running annual event, celebrating its 67th year.
Barbecue will take center stage with vendors, grilling demonstrations, a whole hog smoking contest, and a Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) sanctioned barbecue competition featuring 60 teams competing in five categories for over $8,000 in total cash prizes. Festival goers will be able to join in on the judging by selecting the “People’s Champion”.

School Patrol

7:35 pm | Tuesday, Jul 26th
| No Comments

The Franklin Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for the seasonal position of School Patrol. Under general supervision, School Patrol team members are responsible for pedestrian safety and efficient vehicular traffic flow at assigned school zones.

Duties include directing vehicular traffic and ensuring the safety of children and other pedestrians attempting to cross traffic lanes in school zones. A high school diploma (or GED equivalent) is required.

The ideal applicant must be assertive, tactful, and able to work in various weather elements for approximately two hours per day during times that school is in session.

APPLY ONLINE HERE:

City Releases Draft Long-term Vision for Franklin

7:32 pm | Tuesday, Jul 26th
| No Comments

The City of Franklin has completed a draft update to their long-range land use plan for the city. The new and improved plan is titled Envision Franklin which articulates the long-term vision of the kind of places that Franklin’s residents, businesses, and institutions want for their future. The drafting of Envision Franklin began with a series of community workshops in May of 2015.  Envision Franklin provides policies that direct future development in a way that strengthens the City and creates exceptional places for people while preserving the past and planning for the future.

Envision Franklin sets forth a framework that provides guidance to the City in making land use decisions, managing the quality of development, determining the timing and location of future growth, and directing investment and development activity.  It is meant to be a dynamic tool that is responsive to changes in the City and is periodically updated.

As part of the unveiling, the City will introduce the Plan to the public and gather feedback through two open houses.  The first is on Monday, September 26, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.at City Hall, at 109 3rd Avenue South, Franklin, TN.  The second is Tuesday, September 27, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Columbia State Community College, Williamson Campus, at their new location at 1228 Liberty Pike, Franklin, TN and will be held in the administration building located at the top of the hill. Envision Franklin will also be discussed throughout the community with various civic groups and organizations.  Additional information will be available as these meetings are scheduled.

Participants can come to either open house at their leisure to review a variety of stations that focus on different aspects of the Plan.  City planning staff and the consultants from Rundell Ernstberger & Associates will be present to answer questions and take comments. A draft of the plan can be found on the City’s website and a copy will be available at the open house to review.

For more information about Envision Franklin, please visit the City’s website at www.franklintn.gov/envisionfranklin.

Williamson County Fair 2016

5:00 pm | Monday, Jul 25th
| No Comments

The Williamson County Fair is gearing up for its 12th anniversary run August 5-13, and this time the summertime tradition will bring a little bit of New Orleans to Middle Tennessee. The “Barnyard Mardi Gras” edition of the much anticipated annual event will not only feature flourishes of the Big Easy, but also a host of favorite attractions and some exciting new twists.

Since the Fair’s inception in 2005, the grounds of the Williamson County AgEXPO have welcomed more than 200,000 attendees for nine days each summer with a number of educational exhibits, agricultural competitions and events, state of the art midway attractions, games, live entertainment, traditional fare and more. The Williamson County Fair Board, made up of 28 area leaders who operate the nonprofit organization, chose the 2016 theme with a bayou twist to add a unique element of fun to the popular event’s agricultural focus.

“We’re thrilled to finally unveil the Barnyard Mardi Gras theme our Board selected last fall. When the end of school approaches and the weather warms up, the community starts thinking about the County Fair,” said Diane Giddens, Williamson County Fair entertainment chairman. “The vibrant colors and unique fanfare of New Orleans culture is a perfect fit for our event, and they will make the experience so much fun.”

The Williamson County Fair will kick off on Friday, August 5 with a new show featuring Lady Houdini, a modern day magic aficionado, who will perform a number of feats ranging from an escape from a locked tank of water to breaking out of a straight jacket while hanging 40 feet above the ground. In addition, the BMX Pros Trick Team will return as an annual favorite, with a topnotch lineup of talent to showcase bike tricks for fair goers.
“We were intentional about selecting special acts that are out of the box, yet appealing to visitors of all ages, so there’s really something for everybody to enjoy,” Giddens said. “The shows and attractions are staples that patrons look forward to each August, but we also hope they experience the agricultural exhibits and events that truly represent what the Fair is all about.”

Each year, visitors have the opportunity to learn about Williamson County’s agricultural past, present and future at an array of demonstrations and events, such as the Century Farms Exhibit, which highlights the significance of farms in the county that have existed for 100 years or more through a showcase of photos and information on each farm and family. Other educational favorites include the Children’s Barnyard, Birthing Pig Exhibit, Honey Extraction Demonstration, Milking Demonstration, Little 1’s Farming and more. Locals in the community can also participate in a
number of competitive events, ranging from cooking and quilting to livestock shows and singing.

The Williamson County Fair has been recognized among the best anywhere by its peers at the state and international levels, with last year’s event winning awards from the Tennessee Association of Fairs and the International Association of Fairs and Expos. Supported by 1,800 volunteers, numerous sponsors, its home county and surrounding communities, the Fair has grown each summerand continues to be a beacon for agricultural education in Williamson County. For more information, visit www.WilliamsonCountyFair.org.

Construction on Hillsboro Road

6:33 pm | Monday, Jun 27th
| No Comments

Project Description 
This project is the second phase of the overall Hillsboro Road Improvements Project, creating roadway and utility infrastructure upgrades to Hillsboro Road, State Route 106. Aspects of this project include:

Widening from a 2-lane roadway with shoulders to 3-lanes (includes a new center turn lane) with curb and gutter (widening is symmetrical along the roadway’s existing centerline); New 4.0’ Bike lanes on both sides;  New 3.0’ grass strip with street trees;  New 5.0’ sidewalk along both sides of the roadway, up to Claude Yates;  New street lighting along both sides using decorative street light poles;  Northbound right turn lanes (in addition to the 2 travel lanes and center turn lane) to be added in front of Franklin High School and at both of the Joel Cheek Blvd. and Claude Yates Drive Intersections;  Installing a traffic control signal at Claude Yates Drive to help with Franklin High School Traffic;  Upgrading the Joel Cheek Blvd. traffic signal;  Relocating all overhead utilities into underground duct banks;  Upgrading older and undersized water and sanitary sewer utility lines; and Installing a new storm water sewer system with catch basins and yard inlets.  These upgrades take place in both State Rights-of-Way and City/Public Easements.

Project Length & Limits
Total project length is approximately 0.827 Miles.
Beginning: Along Hillsboro Road (SR-106), by Independence Square/1200 feet north of Del Rio Pike.
Ending: Along Hillsboro Road (SR-106), just south of the Mack Hatcher Parkway (SR-397) intersection.

Construction Timeframe
The construction contract was awarded to Eutaw Construction Company in March 2016.  The contract time starts on April 18th.  You may see traffic control devices and erosion protection measures installed later in April.  Actual construction will begin in early May.  The project is scheduled to last 14 months, with completion by August 2017.  This is an aggressive schedule for the contractor to follow, considering the vast amount of utility relocation work.  The City will work closely with the local utility companies to make sure they help get this project completed in a timely manner.

Project Contact
William Banks – Project Manager
William.Banks@franklintn.gov

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »