These buildings are part of a new movement in our region to bring basic business services into outlying suburbs through the creation of neighborhood commercial districts that are much smaller than what is normally allowed by our commercial zoning ordinance. The hope is that small commercial developments like these will decrease drive times and create a better quality of life for suburban residents who have lengthy drive times just to get to the grocery store. Even though the suburban NIMBY movement seems very reluctant to entertain any commercial development in the “backyard”, I think it is a great idea.
When first approached by the developer to design a group of neighborhood market buildings, we felt it was vitally important that these buildings feel like they had always been there and look like part of the existing community. So we designed the them using traditional types and forms that are consistent with East Tennessee downtowns and building materials from our region. The buildings were designed to bring the street alive with shopping, dining, and play. The use of large glass picture windows, transoms, and glass doors create a direct connection between the shops and their customers without sacrificing the old town feel that is so cherished but rarely found in our suburban culture. Each building also has offices above that can be accessed from the sidewalk below through the arched entryways.
Our hope is that this center, and many more like it, will create something not previously possible in suburban Residential Zones: a place to gather for a morning bagel, a haircut at the barbershop, a gathering of families outside the ice cream parlor; that these would become new beloved places where business takes place and communities can gather to share life and good times for generations to come.
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