The Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission has posted a request for proposals seeking an interdisciplinary team to prepare a comprehensive plan that will set the course for the community’s growth over the next two decades.
The document will be used by the commission and other local government agencies to inform:
- Future growth decisions.
- Area/neighborhood planning.
- Downtown planning and development.
- Capital investments.
- Code amendments and updates.
- Rezoning cases.
The Comprehensive Plan will outline recommendations for most efficient land use in both the City and County relating to future public spending, road capacity, transit, types of housing, and complete communities. A distinct emphasis in the request is placed on promoting “building up and not out.”
“This document will play a pivotal role in decision-making for decades to come,” RPC Director Jeff Tyndall said. “We are experiencing rapid growth and, if the 2020 Census tells us anything, it’s not stopping anytime soon. The creation of the plan, covering the entire city and county, will help us better navigate our growth so we can properly plan for the future. This plan is as much about today’s growth as it is about the growth future generations will see.”
Clarksville is situated at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red Rivers, surrounded by rural, rolling terrain and farmland. Located 40 miles northwest of Nashville, Clarksville was named “Best Place to Live” in 2019 by Money.com and was later named the “3rd Most Popular City for Millenials” in 2020 by Realtor.com.
The two to three-story historic downtown, numerous parks and open spaces, and low-density development patterns preserve Clarksville’s small-town character, even amid its rapid growth. Austin Peay State University, with a five-year average enrollment of more than 10,500 students, borders the heart of downtown and has boasted record freshman attendance in recent years as the university continues to grow.
Based on the 2020 Census, Clarksville is the fifth largest city in Tennessee with a population of 166,722 spread out over 100 square miles. Montgomery County is the fifth fastest growing County in the state, and seventh overall in population at 220,000 -- exceeding early 2020 Census projections by nearly 7,500.
By 2045, based on an estimated average annual population growth rate of 2.13 percent, the City of Clarksville and Montgomery County combined will add approximately 107,778 residents, a nearly 50 percent increase. Compared to others in the Southeast, Montgomery County’s growth is on par with multi-county regions such as Chattanooga (nine counties) and Knoxville (six counties).
The request for proposals notes that Clarksville-Montgomery County’s growth is influenced by high-performing schools, a strong employment base, and a favorable cost of living. Top employment sectors include:
- Military -- Fort Campbell.
- Industrial -- Google, Amazon, LG, Hankook Tire and others.
- Healthcare.
- Education.
Those interested in receiving a copy of the full RFP can do so by contacting the City of Clarksville’s Purchasing Department at 931-553-2477 or by email at purchasing@cityofclarksville.com. All requests for information should be submitted by email no later than 4:30 p.m. CDT, Aug. 27 to Sarah Cook at sarah.cook@cityofclarksville.com.
Proposals are due Sept. 17 at 2:30 PM CDT at the Purchasing Department located at 1 Public Square, Suite 301, Clarksville, TN 37040. Late proposals will not be accepted.