The City of Gallatin is moving forward with a long-planned stormwater and transportation improvement project to address chronic flooding issues at the American Legion Post 17 Veterans Residence on S. Water Avenue, formerly the Sumner County Veterans Home.
Progress was made after Liberty Baptist Church agreed to sell a portion of its property to the City, allowing necessary street realignment and stormwater improvements to move forward. City Council recently approved final right-of-way actions needed to advance the project, allowing staff to finalize design and prepare the project for bidding. The City expects to advertise the project for bid within the next two months, with construction anticipated to be completed within the calendar year.
“Flooding has been an issue at the Veterans Home for at least 15 years,” City Engineer Nick Tuttle said. “Stormwater has entered crawl spaces and first-floor areas during rain events due to outdated and failing drainage systems.”
The project will redirect stormwater away from the Veterans Home and into an existing City-owned pond near Bales Street, where the water can be safely detained without impacting structures.
“This solution removes flooding from the facility and relocates it to a location designed to handle it,” Tuttle said.
In addition to stormwater improvements, the project includes a major traffic safety upgrade. The plan creates a safer, more direct connection with Hale Avenue extending to Woods Ferry Road, and also eliminates the skewed intersection at Woods Ferry Road and South Water Avenue.
“That intersection has long been a safety concern,” Tuttle said. “Improving it benefits everyone who travels through that area.”
Mayor Paige Brown said the project provides multiple public benefits and addresses concerns about using public funds on private property.
“This project improves traffic safety, addresses long-standing flooding issues and may provide additional stormwater benefits for nearby properties,” Brown said. “It represents a thoughtful use of public resources for the greater good.”
The project is partially funded through a $500,000 contribution from Sumner County government, which requires construction to be completed within a specified timeframe.
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