The City Council took action Tuesday night in an attempt to remove roadblocks that could stand in the way of development at The Falls.
The council voted unanimously to modify its agreement with Interstate Development, the Bristol, Tennessee firm that has been the primary developer of the project.
Tonight, city leaders removed categories for businesses at the development.
“What we are going to do is eliminate the list completely, so that we don’t have to have a meeting to approve a new business if it’s not on the list,” Council Member Neal Osborne said, referring to the list of business categories.
The Falls development has struggled to attract tenants, but city leaders hope the change will lead to new development.
City Manager Randall Eads says the city should stay out of developments like this.
“Preferably a locality would not be involved in a retail-type development, such as The Falls,” Eads said. “That should be left to private developers — that’s in their expertise — so they can go out and do what they need to do in order to develop.”
Site plans for The Falls show four parcels under contract.
Eads said he could not disclose any details on those potential tenants.
