McKenzie to Move Forward on Mulberry Soccer Complex

McKENZIE (February 13) — The City of McKenzie has moved one step closer to the construction of a soccer complex to be located at Mulberry Park. Members of the City Council approved the master plan designed by TLM Associates of Jackson. The plan includes multiple fields, the construction of a concessions area, the construction of parking lots, the relocation of a portion of Locust Avenue and the potential purchase of residential property along Mulberry Street. The cost estimate is close to $400,000.

With the council’s blessing, Mayor Ryan Griffin will continue working with TLM to procure an exact expense for the project over various phases. Currently, the Tennessee National Guard will help in some of the construction which would include roughing out the concessions area, relocating the section of Locust Avenue that would divide the complex and leveling out the portion of acreage that was donated by the McKenzie Industrial Board. The cost to relocate Locust is estimated to cost the City of McKenzie $180,000.

In other business, during the meeting of the Alcohol Board, Matthew Tanner, doing business as Paris Station, LLC was granted an on-premise beer permit for 27 Broadway. Tanner and his wife, Anne-Marie, were in attendance to discuss plans for the business. The Tanners explained that while the business, West TN Brewing Co. - McKenzie, will be a taproom, they want the business to be family-friendly. There are plans for food and live entertainment. They are also going to employ McKenzians on staff and plan to employ 15 individuals once the business is up and running at full capacity. The taproom is expected to be open towards the end of February or early March.

McKenzie will apply for a 2025 Community Block Development Grant. The grant will be applied for by the Water and Sewer Department for what they are terming “Fire Protection.” Currently, the nearest fire hydrant to the sewer treatment facility is near Brummitt-McKenzie Funeral Home on Cedar Street. If awarded the $900,000 grant, water lines will be extended and tied together from Cedar (near Brummitt’s and further south near the old Smith Tire Bard) to Clark Street and the treatment center. This would be around 5,600 feet of water lines added to McKenzie’s infrastructure.

Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Arnold was recognized for his selection to the Disaster Mental Health Strike Team. During the week of January 27, 2025, Arnold attended the Tennessee Fire and Codes Enforcement Academy and received 40 hours of training in preparation to serve on the strike team.

The Council will participate in a strategic planning/visioning session for April. Councilperson Bobby Young requested that Mayor Griffin consider using Paris Landing Inn, as the group could spend the night away and begin working the next morning. Griffin stated he would look into the cost of holding the session away from McKenzie.

The next regular meeting of the McKenzie City Council is March 13 at 6 p.m. at McKenzie City Hall.