GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — City leaders listened to a packed house of residents Thursday night worried about a realignment of Germantown Road.
Buildings would be knocked down in “Old Germantown” just a stone’s throw away from the oldest building in town, Elfo’s restaurant whose quaint dining room could have more traffic flowing by outside.
“You don’t need to fix anything that’s not broken around here,” said Igor Kobas.
It’s one of the only parts of Germantown that still looks like a “town.”
TDOT says the change will do minimal harm, and improve traffic.
Residents who spoke Thursday night are worried about more.
“Bad elements from Cordova and Hickory Hill, who can get into Germantown, abscond with our property and quickly get out of Germantown,” said Bill Strong.
Leaders listened about business loss, no local benefit, and feeling like citizens had no input.
City administrator Patrick Lawton insisted they were being heard and that the project is in early phases and is not a done deal.
“It could stop at any point depending on the actions of the mayor and board of alderman,” said Lawton.
The citizens and the business owners say they’re counting on it — trying to hold on to why they moved here in the first place.
Three people were in support of the change tonight but even they wanted it modified.
City leaders plan a town hall on the issue to get even more input before moving forward.
