City of Lebanon, Wilson Farms 109 partner for Highway 109 project

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $2.1 million. The City of Lebanon will contribute $1,225,000 and Wilson Farms will contribute $625,000. The City Council said Lebanon will not pay anything exceeding the $1.2 million, but the developer is responsible for paying for all contractors, vendors and any costs that may exceed the total.

“I commend the council for their support and for recognizing the ordinance as one of the most effective public-private partnerships aimed at improving safety along State Route 109,” Mayor Rick Bell said. “In addition, we are preventing sales tax revenue from leaving Lebanon, going into Mt. Juliet, and providing more opportunities to collect sales tax revenue from the 40,000 vehicles a day that travel Highway 109.”

During the first reading of the ordinance, Councilors Geri Ashley and Camille Burdine raised concerns regarding the cost of the project and said they would rather support local businesses with funding of that size. In addition, Burdine questioned if the money could be recouped within one or two years.

Councilors Chris Crowell, Tick Bryan and Phil Morehead, during the first reading, said the money spent could be recouped and exceeded within two years.

The City of Lebanon and the Tennessee Department of Transportation have been discussing accessibility and safety on SR 109 between the Interstate 40 ramps and Wilson Farms Boulevard for 15 years. The proposed safety improvements will address the number of crashes related to vehicle turns at the SR 109 and Safari Camp Road/Leeville Pike intersection, according to a press release from the City.

Infrastructure additions are expected to facilitate full access to commercial development at Wilson Farms 109. City officials say it’s expected to boost the city’s property and sales tax revenue, including reimbursement through sales taxes for improvements to the safety project within a year.

The press release says no city tax dollars are allocated to large box retail stores, but are directed toward the highway additions.

“I see this partnership as a great proposal for the citizens of Lebanon. It provides them with another convenient place to shop and provides us with more revenue to provide services,” Mayor Bell said. “From the time I first ran for mayor until now, Lebanon citizens have continued to ask for more branded box stores in which to shop and more branded full-service restaurants in which to dine. Recruiting those businesses will continue to be my priority, and I will continue to work hard to get those businesses here.”