Carl J Williams

Folks, I haven’t been here too often, and the goal was to let you know what’s going on in Bristol Country. If you have relatives and friends that are away from the area, let ’em know about us. If you’re homesick, or just want to know what’s going on in Bristol, check us out. Let us know if you have questions, or maybe you just wonder what happened to the old Shelby Street Post Office in Bristol TN or the old King’s Mountain Hospital in Bristol VA. We’ll research it and post it – might even have a photo for you. We’re not an official arm of the government, the local news media, or even the movers and shakers of Bristol. We’re just people interested in what’s going on in our town. Let us hear from you. And now, the news from Bristol Country:
+++ The Beaver Creek Walk. Beaver Creek is still dirty, the walk is still nowhere to be found. We were waiting for the U S Army Corps of Engineers to give their presentation for dealing with the Beaver Creek flood threat. It is our understanding that the cost was well below what the cities’ governments had hoped for, and we’re waiting for the next step. If you know anymore details, please post them below.
+++The Trainstation Renovation. The trainstation is still standing, weeds are growing up, and it’s looking worse with each passing season. But, wait! There’s news: The Trainstation Foundation has reported that they have two grants approved, totaling $800,000 and will apply for a third one worth $550,000. The city of Bristol TN has a pending grant for $500,000 from Tennessee. The first step is to deal with the excavation and exterior work on the building, then the interior, and then improvements to make space for a minimum of three occupants (businesses or organizations). What, no ticket office for the Bristol-DC rail service??!!
+++The Mendota Trail. The Mendota Trail, after two years, is still an abandoned rail line, weeds, private driveways and backyards, and is going to court. Bristol VA bought the old rail right-of-way for $225,000, but some of the residents claim that when the railroad stopped using the line, the land reverted back to the original owners. So, to get it on a “fast track” and get it moving, Bristol sued all the owners of property who might dispute the city’s claim. Judge Charles Flannagan has ordered a survey of the property. We’ll follow the story when the survey comes in.
+++Downtown Bristol. It’s hard to tell about downtown Bristol. It’s growing. It’s dying. It’s asleep. It’s vibrant. Depends on who you’re talking to. Go downtown on Wednesday at noon in the summer to Cumberland Square Park or Anderson Street Park and listen to free music (the location alternates each week). Go to the area around the city bus stop (where the Country Music Mural is) on Tuesday night and hear live music. This Friday night, and once each month you can attend the Border Bash with food and live music on State Street from 5pm to 8pm. We’ve got a Chinese restaurant, a coffee shop, a bagel shop, bar and grill and a couple of other nice places to eat. We’ve got antique stores and a furniture store, a couple of banks, a pawn shop, a computer repair business, vending machine (video game and pool tables, etc.) sales, and restaurant supply (they sell to the public). Oh yes, and did I tell you that downtown Bristol is now on the National Register of Historic Places as a national historic district? The Downtown Center, you know – where the buses stop, where they do some great pickin’ on Tuesday nights, just got federal funding for $523,000 for improvements! We’ve got the restored Paramount, and the Cameo, but State Street is generally quiet. Where are the people during the day? Walk down the street and you’ll see folks. Folks who work in town, mostly. Not folks from southwest Virginia on shopping trips, not folks who went out of their way to go downtown to eat, and not folks who are just excited about going to downtown Bristol. There are too many empty buildings. There are too many stores where they cater to a particular taste. I guess I just miss the variety stores – the five-and-dime stores, with something for everyone. And the National Register? That’s nice. What does it mean? The city can pass new restrictions on the remodelling and use of the buildings? Higher property taxes if you fix up your store and increase its value? I dunno. We’ll see.
+++Exit Seven. Where it’s at. Where the growth is. Interstate 81, Exit 7, Bristol VA. Still growing. They just announced that Office Depot is moving in. So is Chili’s Bar and Grill. So is Bob Evans’ restaurant. Bob’s going across the Interstate, but it’s close enough to count! Wal-mart? Still there, but the story is that the Wal-Mart by Bill Gatton’s on the Volunteer Parkway in Bristol TN will be open by Christmas, 2003.
+++Appalachia High School. After hearing rumors for some months now, that the Wise County School Board intended to close Appalachia High School, the discussion finally surfaced at a meeting. Funny thing, the folks in charge had been denying that there was any truth to the rumors. The rumors started when Wise County leaders came up with a budget to remodel/improve all the high schools in Wise County EXCEPT Appalachia High. Now, they’re suggesting that they can save bundles of money by sending the Appalachia students to Powell Valley! Local folks got together and cleaned, scrubbed, painted and helped spruce up the school. That’s caring! These folks want to keep their school! School spirit doesn’t appear to be just at the football games, where the ‘dogs have a long and exciting history, but throughout the town and surrounding communities. Kudos to the folks of Appalachia!
Folks, I hope this’ll hold you for a day or two. Let us know what you think. email us at Bristol@BristolCountry.com or post your comments for all the world to read here below. If you’re in Germany, Japan, Bosnia, or Iraq or if you’re in Bristol, Texas, Alaska, or Arizona, we’d like to hear from you.