CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Big changes are coming to downtown Clarksville.
Mayor Joe Pitts said several plans are in the works to revitalize the downtown area -- with new housing being built and new businesses popping up.
New housing, restaurants, and boutiques! Tonight on @NC5 I talk with the Mayor of Clarksville about his plans to revitalize a city on the rise! pic.twitter.com/YueBJDVHPF
— Alexandra Koehn (@NC5_AKoehn) February 6, 2019
A new student housing development, located at 608 Main Street, is already full.
It's been over two decades since a tornado ripped through and destroyed a large portion of the downtown district.
Step by step, they've rebuilt to bring it back to life.
Pitts said, "A new energy I guess is the best way to put it."
Pitts said in addition to the new spots, a lot of new construction is about to kick off
Pitts said, "There's an exciting project planned for 3rd and Main Street, it has residential on the upper floors and retail on the street level."
The Regions bank building is renovating office space as well. City officials said the locally owned Strawberry Alley Ale House restaurant, across from City Hall, is a new hit.
Pitts said, "And then the county government is looking at a new multi-purpose event center right outside our window."
Megan Baggett owns the Copper Petal boutique. She said foot traffic is slowing increasing in the downtown area.
Baggett said, "We're just really excited to see the changes and hope to be like a breath of new life down here and hope some other businesses will open also."
Baggett had success with her online clothing store, so several months ago she decided to open a brick and mortar. They're also renovating apartments above her store.
Megan appreciates the new Mayor's development initiative.
"And now we're really excited to see what he'll do with more traffic coming downtown," said Baggett.
Pitts said foreign and out of state investors have played a big role getting these older buildings habitable after the '99 tornado. He hopes the changes will bring more people to the entertainment and business district.
Pitts said, "All of it's kind of coming together at once, so we're just grateful!"
Old trees in downtown will be replaced with new ones soon, and the city plans on installing new lighting to improve visibility and safety too.
