Cookeville is growing — and anyone who has tried to find a parking spot downtown lately can see it. Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings growing pains. Before we rush to build more, we need to focus on the basics: people and infrastructure.

Growth should serve the people who already live, work, and raise families here — not the other way around. Roads, parking, and drainage aren’t glamorous, but they’re what keep a city livable. When infrastructure lags behind development, residents pay the price in congestion, flooding, and frustration.

We’ve all lived through the roadwork that’s been underway — and many of us are now beginning to benefit from those long-awaited improvements. The 10th Street widening project, for example, is a welcome upgrade that will make a real difference for local traffic and safety once fully completed. But we also know there’s still work to be done.

Many residents continue to share the same concern: our roads are simply too crowded. During rush hour, navigating parts of Cookeville has become nearly impossible, and state highways and major roads—such as Willow Avenue, Spring Street, and Jefferson Avenue—are struggling to handle the level of traffic coming through. While progress is being made, more coordination and faster project completion are needed to relieve the pressure on our roadways and neighborhoods.

We are outgrowing our area, but not in a way that’s sustainable. Our streets, parking lots, and stormwater systems were never designed for the pace of expansion we’re seeing. When infrastructure can’t keep up, everyday life suffers — traffic builds, drainage fails, and local businesses lose the accessibility that keeps customers coming. That’s why it’s time to put people and infrastructure first — before any new high-density projects or government-led housing ideas move forward.

Some have suggested that the county should use the fairgrounds property for government-funded “affordable housing.” While the county does own the land, that property has long served a community purpose — hosting events, agricultural showcases, and gatherings that bring people together.

Taxpayers should not shoulder the ongoing burden of property upkeep without a clear, unified goal for its use — one that benefits the community as a whole. Many believe that if the site cannot move forward with a welcome and much-needed veterans facility, then its future use should still reflect that same spirit of service and shared purpose.

There has also been discussion in public meetings of a veterans facility that could have been developed on a portion of the fairgrounds site — a project widely supported by residents. However, county officials have confirmed that the veterans facility plan is uncertain and may not move forward at that location.

Florida-based E2L Real Estate Solutions currently holds an option to purchase the fairgrounds under specific conditions, and County Mayor Randy Porter has stated publicly that any sale must result in responsible commercial development consistent with Cookeville’s General Commercial zoning.

As of the most recent meetings, E2L continues to make payments to maintain its $12.45 million option, which includes a potential extension beyond the October 31 deadline. County leaders have emphasized they do not want the property held as speculative real estate, but rather developed in a way that benefits the public. That clarity is important — because when government-owned land becomes a tool for private housing or political projects, we lose the balance between stewardship and overreach.

The idea of converting the fairgrounds into a government-run housing site reflects a broader national trend — well-intentioned but costly programs that expand bureaucracy instead of empowering private solutions. It’s not City Hall’s or the County Commission’s job to be a developer or landlord. Government should focus on maintaining roads, utilities, and public safety — the very foundations that support private growth. Builders are business owners who take on risk and investment. They should not be dictated where to build or what to build by new government restrictions — especially when the private market is better equipped to meet demand.

Much has been said about the Cookeville 2030 Comprehensive Plan — the city’s long-term vision for development and land use. The plan serves as a guide for decision-making, capital improvements, and growth management. But guidance is not permission for unchecked expansion. If the plan truly calls for smart, balanced growth, then that means people and infrastructure must come first — roads, parking, drainage, and safety. The city’s Long-Range Planning Department exists for that very reason: to ensure growth supports, not strains, our community.

County leaders have raised and acted on infrastructure-related items in recent meetings — from expanding wastewater service authority to funding road work — and have taken steps that require coordination with the City of Cookeville, including a request for annexation of the remaining fairgrounds property. These actions underscore that without shared priorities, infrastructure costs only grow later.

Every thriving community learns the same truth: parking and infrastructure aren’t side issues — they’re the backbone of economic development. Without accessible parking, families stop coming downtown, local businesses lose customers, and community events suffer. Before we debate new developments, we should be asking: Can our streets handle the traffic? Can our parking lots handle the demand?

As a conservative, I believe this is one of those rare topics that Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and even non-voters can agree on — it’s time to put people and infrastructure first. We all want a thriving, livable Cookeville. And while we may differ on the details we all want a unified solution.

It’s also worth remembering that our elected officials are just that — elected by and accountable to the people. Government works for the constituents, not the other way around. When residents stay engaged, attend meetings, and speak up, it strengthens local decision-making and keeps the focus where it belongs: on service, stewardship, and transparency.

Let’s come together, stay engaged, and encourage our leaders to keep focusing on what matters most — the people who call this place home.

Growth is good — but growth without planning is chaos. Let’s make sure we’re building wisely: people first, infrastructure always — and freedom forever.

This editorial represents the opinion of the Highlands Insider owners Clarissa Reaves-Williams and Herbert Williams.  An editorial is a written opinion that reflects our analysis of issues facing the community — designed to spark conversation, not dictate conclusions. Editorials are distinct from news stories, which focus on reporting verified facts and perspectives.

We welcome differing viewpoints and letters to the editor in response. For readers interested in constructive, fact-based ideas on addressing affordable housing and growth challenges, don’t miss our upcoming feature, “Real Solutions That Work,” which explores practical, community-driven approaches that have succeeded in other Tennessee cities.

1. 10th Street Widening:
$25 million state and local investment (TDOT) to improve congestion and safety, projected completion in 2026.

2. City Growth:
Cookeville’s population increased by nearly 20% since 2010, surpassing 36,000 residents — the fastest growth rate in the Upper Cumberland region.

3. Daily Traffic:
Over 30,000 vehicles travel Willow Avenue on an average weekday (TDOT data), exceeding the original design capacity for that corridor.

4. Downtown Parking:
Fewer than 1,200 public parking spaces serve downtown Cookeville, according to city planning data, with many lots at full capacity during business hours and community events.

5. Average Commute Time:
19.2 minutes — the average one-way travel time to work for Cookeville residents.

6. Downtown Parking App: (Click here to check out the app)
 The City of Cookeville’s launch (September 2024) of a public parking app highlights the pressure on downtown parking supply and the need for better access.

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