City, TDOT reveal Square plan

Lebanon officials unveiled Tuesday the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s proposed plans for the Lebanon Town Square.

City and TDOT officials presented the proposed plans during a public meeting Tuesday morning at the Lebanon-Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.

“It was a very successful meeting,” said Sue Vanetta, chamber director. “Everyone seems to be very supportive of the plan.”

Highlights of the new plan include new landscaping, new wiring and new locations for parking at the square quadrants.

In the proposed plan, visitors would be able park along the perimeter of the square so pedestrians would not have to cross traffic to visit downtown businesses.

“It’s really a safety thing,” said Vanetta.

Drawbacks to the proposed plan include slightly reduced number of parking spots and potential difficulty for tractor-trailer vehicles navigating the square.

TDOT would pay 100 percent of the repaving, and the city would pay at least 20 percent for new lighting and landscaping, according to Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead.

The proposed plans are available for viewing at Craighead’s office in City Hall.

Staff writer Sara McManamy-Johnson may be reached at 44-3952, ext. 16 or sjohnson@lebanondemocrat.com.