McEwen Success/ Proven Results

In order to improve infrastructure, make our area safer and more accessible for our citizens, I have stayed the course for us throughout the years in moving McEwen Phase IV to the 1# position on the City’s Capital Investment Project list. START DATE is April 28, 2025

Read more about McEwen’s timeline, my work in the past on this road, and what’s next in each section below.

Upon entering office, I saw that the city’s approach to prioritizing major projects was outdated and lacked long-term funding plans. I worked closely with the new mayor and our engineering team to help modernize the process. While I wasn’t the lead, I was an active partner and strong advocate for updating how we evaluate and prioritize infrastructure and capital projects.

The entire McEwen IV project was mired down in 47th place on the Capital Projects (CIP) list.

Numerous other Ward 1 projects were also low on the city’s CIP list.

• McEwen Phase III, I-65 to Oxford Glen/Cool Springs, moved to top when Governor announced relocation of Nissan N. American HQTRS from CA to Franklin, TN.
  State fast tracked Phase III, paid $4M toward $11M construction, opened in 2008
• No clear system for categorizing /prioritizing CIP list by BOMA
• No previous budget / planning systems in place for long term projects, Asst. City Administrator/ Budget Director, new Mayor, and BOMA work design the process

• McEwen Phase III, I-65 to Oxford Glen/Cool Springs, moved to top when Governor announced relocation of Nissan N. American HQTRS from CA to Franklin, TN.
  State fast tracked Phase III, paid $4M toward $11M construction, opened in 2008
• No clear system for categorizing /prioritizing CIP list by BOMA
• No previous budget / planning systems in place for long term projects, Asst. City Administrator/ Budget Director, new Mayor, and BOMA work on process design
• Planning / budgeting for new road projects receives less attention during recession
• Alderman Burger pushed McEwen to forefront in the planning discussions
• McEwen Phase IV moved up from #47 to #21 on the CIP list
• Preliminary design for McEwen Phase IV is prioritized / completed.
• BOMA hires City Administrator Eric Stuckey Jan. 2009

• New plans initiated and implemented, allow staff /Aldermen to consider budgeting, planning, infrastructure, roads, and overall strategic planning in 5, 10, 20 year time frames; Recession comes to an end, 2010 Flood adds to budget costs
• McEwen Phase IV moved from #21 to #14. Funds committed for McEwen Connector

• McEwen Phase IV moved to #7 on CIP list
• McEwen Connector and roundabout built at Oxford Glen / Cool Springs with four lanes to top of the hill before Player’s Mill Rd. Cost of $4 Million
• State gives school board authority to build Clovercroft Elementary School on East Clovercroft in spite of problems such as McEwen Dr. Phase IV, Wilson Pike, and one-lane tunnels that cannot accommodate buses.

• Franklin constructs McEwen / Wilson Pike intersection with new bridge over R&R at $3Million+, traffic light and turn lane put in on Wilson Pike at E. Clovercroft
• New rankling system for projects is designed by City’s Engineering Dept. Needs are no longer based solely on safety, traffic, and new development. Additional criteria include economic development impact, proximity of schools, burden to the area from regional traffic, and needs of current residents.
• McEwen IV meets all criteria for new ranking system
• Safety enhancement, signs, guardrails added to McEwen
• Alderman Burger / residents’ input over the years help move McEwen Phase IV to #1 priority on the CIP list; BOMA votes unanimous to fully fund the Design, Right-of-Way (ROW), & Construction; McEwen Price tag: $30 M, Design Begins

• “Mead of Avalon McEwen Task Force” requests additional safety improvements are made – for residents, buses, and all vehicle traffic
• Five new housing developments started in the COUNTY on East Clovercroft (Note: City has no jurisdiction over the approval of county developments).
• City receives $10M from State/Fed for Phase IV; ROW is slowed due to required environmental (E) study by State, Est. time frame for completion is 12 to 24 months.

• Next Steps: Full design of project; City to obtain ROW (Right of Way); Construction bidding process; BOMA votes on acceptance of bid; Construction begins. 
• Over this time period the city receives two additional Grants and to date the city has received $33 M in Federal Grants for McEwen Phase IV
• Grant entail more red tape and slowdowns.
• Temporary and permanent plans and designs for utility relocation takes place
• Environmental Studies conducted
• ROW purchased
• State Approval and Sign off complete
• Bid are let for the project
• Bids are returned and accepted by BOMA
• Vulcan is selected as the contractor
• Bid is awarded
• Work Begin Date is set for April 29, 2025
• Ground Breaking April 29, 2025
• Completion Date Slated for: Early 2028