Hagerty ready for second term; Providence West fits perfectly into his 'edge city' concept

With Ed Hagerty's successful run for reelection complete, the emergence of plans for a huge mixed used development in Mt. Juliet fits well into his "edge city" concept that has this city the place to "live, work, play and worship."

He said this project, in the early stages of approval, will go a long way toward bringing the "work" aspect into his vision for Mt. Juliet.

This week the Mt. Juliet Planning Commission will review plans for Providence West, a 247 acre project slated for the Central Pike, Interstate 40 area.

"It is a plan for mixed use with office space a major component," said newly reelected Mayor Hagerty. "There will be some retail and residential as well."

The same people who helped bring Providence Marketplace to Mt. Juliet - Dudley Smith and Frank Horton - are behind the massive project that will once again change the face of Mt. Juliet if approved.

"It will bring in a number of jobs," said Hagerty.

Just over a week into his second term, Hagerty said election night was a big deal to him.

"It was a big night," he said. "I had a lot of help and ran a good clean campaign. There was no mud slinging. It's exciting looking forward."

Hagerty reiterated his vision for the city and how he can get even more things done in the next four years.

"For some time now I've talked about rather than being a bedroom community to Nashville, Mt. Juliet can be an edge city where citizens can live, work, play and worship, all here," he said.

We are close, he said.

"There is still work to do," said Hagerty. "We need to relocate Class A office space here."

With Mt. Juliet's location and demographics, Hagerty said this area is ideal for companies to stake claim.

Hagerty also has on his priority list this term to get the eastern connector completed, perhaps within two years.

In general, "good governing" is another priority for Hagerty.

"It's so important," he said. "We all know the rules. They apply the same to everyone and there should never be trying to favor special interests. I believe in a restrained government."

Managing Editor Laurie Everett can be reached at 754-6397 or by email at mtjulietnews@tds.net