Developments in Williamson County, TN
Developments in the region deliver a bevy of mixed-use options.
With the opening of a new theater for Studio Tenn inside what is becoming a fully renovated Factory at Franklin, the city of Franklin and Williamson County, TN, have one more significant draw for residents and visitors alike.
Named after local philanthropist Cal Turner, the Turner Theatre has brought a whole new dimension – both literally and figuratively – to the concept of mixed-use developments in Williamson County. The theater provides space for Studio Tenn’s lineup of live shows each year and provides another economic outlet for the number of retailers and restaurants that are also located inside the Factory.
“I could not be more excited,” says Tony McAlister, chair of the Studio Tenn board of directors. “I think this is a game changer for us. Places like Studio Tenn help attract (companies and individuals) to come here. People like variety, and we’re just one more among that variety … We affect the community in a financial way but also in a cultural way.”
Indeed, mixed-use developments are on the rise across the country and that includes Williamson County in a number of communities. Residents here are enjoying a new way of life that allows them to live, go to the office, grab a bite to eat or see a show – all in the same place.
The Factory at Franklin, which has evolved through the years from its original purpose as a working factory beginning around 1929 to its becoming a retail and entertainment center in 1996, is but one location where the county is seeing sites offering an opportunity for mixed-use features.
Mixed-Use in Williamson County, TN
Two quite significant examples are in Spring Hill, the 10th-fastest growing city in the country. To accommodate the growth, developers of Kedron Square and June Lake are bringing the idea of mixed-use to full throttle.
Centrally located in Spring Hill, Kedron Square will be an integrated and walkable community where locals live, work, shop and play. It will include retail shops, local restaurants, professional offices, hospitality, common green areas and a variety of housing options.
The same is taking place at the mixed-use development known as June Lake, which is located conveniently at a new gateway to Spring Hill off Interstate 65. Covering 775 acres, June Lake will ultimately include 2,900 residential units, 400 hotel rooms and roughly 5 million square feet of commercial office and retail. It’s a walkable community that features greenway trails and an 11-acre lake.
“It gives the ability for residents of Spring Hill to live and shop in their own community rather than having to go to Cool Springs or Nashville,” says Don Alexander, project manager with Southeast Venture, the firm that’s developing June Lake. “It’s obviously huge for the city. A lot of the folks we’re talking to (about locating to Spring Hill) are not in Williamson County or in Middle Tennessee currently, so any new commercial businesses coming to the area will draw folks from Rutherford, Davidson, Dickson or Maury County. There will be a draw more regionally.”
An Arts District in Williamson County, TN
The Factory at Franklin will bring to the county a unique offering as an arts district. In addition to a handful of restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops that have been operating there for a number of years, new dining options are being added. Anchored in a sense by the Grand Hall and the Skyline Bar, some of these include etch, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Edley’s Bar-B-Que and GREYS Fine Cheese.
The arts and entertainment aspect of the Factory is showcased by the Turner Theatre, a fully operational carousel and the do-it-yourself ceramic art shop, Third Coast Clay.
“The concept of the Factory arts district has been seeing more momentum since the first of the year (2023),” says Allen Arender, project manager for the company working on the Factory, Holladay Properties. “We’re creating arts experiences. In general, there are a lot of places in Franklin to shop and eat, but what we’re looking to do here is to be heavy on food options but also layering in special experiences.”
Culture of Sculpture in Williamson County, TN
Speaking of the fully operational carousel, it is being constructed by Oregon native Ken Means.
Means taught art for more than 40 years and even had a carousel carving school that attracted students from around the world. In 2019, he and his wife, Betty, moved to Williamson County, and their daughter, Tsianina, thought that Franklin needed a carousel. So, she acquired studio space at the Factory for her father to construct a carousel. The talented artist hopes to have it completed by early 2024.
What will the carousel look like?
There are 29 large animals, and I design, build, carve and paint every piece. I like working in wood, clay and bronze, and this is the first entire carousel I’ve ever done.
Are the carousel animals all horses?
No. There are horses, dragons, giraffes, bears, lions and tigers with lights everywhere and plenty of music and movement.
Holladay Properties, owner of the Factory at Franklin, is constructing a new 2,600-square-foot carousel building on the property to eventually house and showcase the carousel.
Are you working on your carousel every day?
Betty and I moved about a year ago to Signal Mountain near Chattanooga, so now I commute once a week to work on the project in my small studio at the Factory. Plans are for everything to be ready in January 2024, and both children and adults will be able to ride the carousel.
Constructing an entire carousel by hand is unusual. Do you have another unusual aspect to the project?
Yes. I put a little time capsule in every animal, so if someone needs to repair one of the animals in 100 years or so, they will be in for an interesting surprise.
Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.
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