South Carolina based VP Riverside Development will look to redevelop 30 acres along college street in Downtown Clarksville. The developer plans to transform the site of the former Vulcan rubber plant into a multi-phased mixed-use and entertainment district. The project includes a baseball stadium, multifamily, hotel, and retail uses. The site is located just East of Austin Peay State University’s campus at the split between College and Red River Streets.
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According to the plan submission, the Vulcan Mixed-Use Entertainment District envisions a dynamic mixed-use development. The project aims to create a vibrant and engaging retail and entertainment district centered around a state-of-the-art baseball park. The plan would bring some of the first housing density fronting the College Street Commercial Corridor and will join a list of new housing and entertainment options in Downtown Clarksville. The map below shows a sample of adjacent developments for context.
The site falls within the Downtown Overlay District as well as the context of the Red River Neighborhood Plan area. The Red River Neighborhood Plan primarily consists of a historically black neighborhood which has been historically underserved by public infrastructure. The plan provides the framework for the future growth of the community which prioritizes affordability, single-family homes over multifamily density, and maximizing opportunities for home ownership. The plan however notes that the Vulcan site has been previously slated for high density development.
A request has been submitted to rezone the property from M-2 (General Industrial District) to MXU_PUD (Mixed Use Planned Unit Development) within the Downtown Overlay District; and to update the R-3 (3-family residential) zoning classification from the guidance in the Red River Neighborhood Plan. Once approved, the request will progress the mixed-use development on the 30-acre site. The request was filed by VP Riverside Development on behalf of the property owners. Here’s the quick rundown:
Vulcan Mixed-Use & Entertainment
Corner of College Street & Red River Street
| What’s Now | Previous Industrial Use |
| What’s Next | Mixed-Use Development |
| Developers | VP Riverside Development |
| Architect | Mcmillan Pazdan Smith |
| Civil | Civil Site Design Group |
| Residences | 330-Units |
| Parking | 1045 Spaces |
| Contractor | TBA |
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Overall, the site is situated between Red River Street to the North and College Street to the South. The project is divided into 2 development districts (Multifamily and Mixed-Use Entertainment) and built within 3 phases. The built environment consists of a garden style apartment community, single story retail, and hotel all serviced by surface parking.
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The Multifamily District is located to the East of the site and is included in Phase 1. The site is roughly 13-acres and proposes 330-units across multiple 4-story buildings, 510 parking spaces, and community amenities. The plan notes that the vision for the multifamily district fosters a sense of community and encourages a live-play environment. The multi-family residential neighborhood will include high-quality apartments that are intended to be financially attainable by the larger Clarksville community.
The Mixed-Use Entertainment District is located to the West of the site and includes Phases 2&3. The site is approximately 17-acres and includes 535 surface parking spaces. The plan also notes that the developer is in talks with APSU and other parties for offsite parking. Uses within these phases are intended to complement sporting events and enhance the overall experience. The emphasis will be on creating a comfortable and memorable experience for visitors and residents, according to the plan.
Slide the image to see What’s Now & Next.
Shown for context only.
Phase 2 will anchor the development with a modern baseball park designed to provide an exceptional fan experience. The plan notes that the ballpark will have ample seating capacity, premium amenities, and cutting-edge technology to ensure the highest level of comfort and entertainment for spectators. It will serve as a home for baseball games, as well as other sporting events and community activities.
Phase 3 includes the hotel and retail development areas. The plan envisions a curated selection of retail and dining establishments that cater to a diverse range of tastes and preferences. This includes boutique shops, flagship stores of popular brands, specialty stores, and a mix of casual and fine dining options, a brand hotel, live performance venues, and outdoor recreational spaces for relaxation and socializing. These offerings will ensure that visitors have a wide array of activities to engage in.
The plan notes that the pedestrian realm will be designed with a focus on walkability and pedestrian friendly features. The plan notes elements such as wide sidewalks, well-placed crosswalks, landscaped plazas, and green spaces that will create an inviting atmosphere and encourage visitors to explore and engage with the district on foot. The plan does not include dedicated bike infrastructure which could reduce the need/capacity for additional parking. The Red River Neighborhood Plan does emphasize pedestrian friendly infrastructure which includes bike access to the Vulcan site. See the map below for context.
The project is slated for the 7/25/2023 Clarksville Regional Planning Commission agenda.
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