Tuesday

Last Tuesday, Loudon City officials released a notice on their Facebook page of a proposed development on the Hutch Property in downtown Loudon. Within a few hours, dozens of negative comments had been posted in opposition to the development on their page. Apparently, there had been so many negative posts, the city ultimately removed the notice and all the comments.

The announcement included an artiest rendering of the development and the place and time of the presentation.

Join us under the bridge at 600 Hackberry Street across from the Carmichael to learn more about the proposed projects.

An East Tennessee developer will share information about a proposal to develop the Loudon waterfront at noon Tuesday.

The session could be under the U.S. Highway 11 bridge over the Tennessee River, Ty Ross, Loudon city manager, said.

Rick Dover of Dover Signature Properties will unveil a potential mixed-use development that could occupy 12 acres owned by Loudon along the waterfront. During a Sept. 13 workshop, Dover told Loudon City Council that the primary focus will be building residential units downtown and adding density without sacrificing green space and walking trails.

Dover said he has financing lined up for the project, with work potentially starting the first quarter of 2022 and finishing in two to three years.

Loudon Mayor Jeff Harris said the city purchased the riverfront land a few years ago and tore down the old Hutch manufacturing plant. Potential developments of the site include condominiums, apartments and mixed-use areas with retail shops on ground floors and apartments above.

Ross said the development could include 150-200 new residential units with mixed-use commercial space.

Plans include multi-family, multi-story buildings and two-story single-family homes, Ross said, with green space and walking trails. There could also be a surf shop, cafe and convenient commercial uses such as salons and boutiques.

The city could transfer the property to the industrial development board, which would work out the details of the real estate transaction.

Among the company’s Loudon County projects are Carmichael Inn, Lakeside Village, Lakewood Senior Living, Loudon County Senior Center, River Oaks Place and The Grove Building in Loudon and Lenoir Cotton Mill Warehouse in Lenoir City.