Planning Commission OKs facelift for aging shopping center

Dyersburg Square may soon have a new look. Members of the city of Dyersburg Municipal-Regional Planning Commission approved proposed changes to the 40-year-old shopping center including a facelift, landscaping in the parking lot, new signage, and the opportunity to provide service and office space as well as retail stores.

Mayor John Holden reported that Eddie Burks and Sheri Guthrie had agreed to serve another three years on the Planning Commission after their terms expired in December.

"Congratulations on being reappointed," said Holden. "I look forward to working with you these next few years."

This dated sign is one of the items cited for improvement in a proposal that went before the Planning Commission at Thursday's regular meeting. [Click to enlarge]

Holden then opened the floor for nominations for chairman, vice chair and secretary of the organization.

Burks, Paul Newbill and John Presslar were nominated to resume their positions of chairman, vice chair and secretary, respectively. No other nominations were made and the officers were each voted in unanimously. The meeting was closed and a new meeting opened to address the January agenda.

In new business, City Recorder Gleyn Twilla requested commissioners approve a preliminary site plan for renovations of Dyersburg Square.

Renovations to update the façade of the buildings, add landscaping and new signage, provide the opportunity for a future outparcel, and offer space for offices and service-related businesses as well as retail stores were included in the proposal.

"This is to the city's advantage," said Twilla. "It will take no additional cost to the city to provide services. It's a wonderful, free thing for the city to take advantage of. Outside of getting new buildings in this town, this is a wonderful opportunity. To take a structure that has been there -- what, 40 years? -- and give it a new façade and a modern look. And it doesn't cost the taxpayers anything."

The updated sign reflects changes to the façade of the old shopping center. [Click to enlarge]

Twilla noted the success of similar renovations at Green Village Shopping Center.

Commissioners discussed possible issues concerning the outparcel and whether there would be difficulty providing the appropriate number of parking spaces to meet the needs of the center.

"If the outparcel comes to fruition, the city of Dyersburg will do everything we can to help that firm make that happen," said Holden. "We want to encourage development and business."

"It think it's great," said Burks. "It's good to see a project like this in our community."

Presslar move to approve the site plan, with Holden adding a second. The site plan was approved unanimously.

There were no administrative reports or old business to come before the planning commission, but Twilla updated members on two other long-term projects within the city.

"The light at Mall Boulevard and Parr Avenue is working and Frank Maynard has been paved," said Twilla. "I emphasized that the (Dyersburg Square) project won't cost any money. You will see some things coming before you this year that will cost some money. If someone is willing to come from out of town and invest in our community, we need to take pride in that and recognize it."