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Sullivan County gets first look at Kingsport plans to improve Lynn View fields

BLOUNTVILLE — Sullivan County commissioners are getting their first official look at “early concept” drawings of what the city of Kingsport could do to improve the Lynn View athletic fields.

The Sullivan County Commission is considering giving those county-owned fields to the city.

City officials have said Kingsport would spend $100,000 on the fields within the next two years to improve community recreational opportunities at the site.

City Manager John Campbell, in a letter to County Mayor Steve Godsey dated June 22, indicates the city’s total investment would be up to double that amount within two years counting the value of “in-kind” work provided by the city’s public works and parks and recreation departments — and will be followed by more investment within the first five years of city ownership of the property.

“While we have consistently mentioned we plan to spend $100,000 to improve the Lynn View fields in the next two years, I’m sure we will invest more in the first five years,” Campbell wrote. “We anticipate our Parks (and) Recreation and Public Works Departments will probably do the equivalent of $50,000 - $100,000 of in-kind work during the first two years also.”

Along with the letter, Campbell provided Godsey with the conceptual drawing of possible improvements to the fields.

Campbell wrote that the drawings (marked “Concept Plan B” and dated May 2009) were produced by Steve Fritts, of Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon’s Oak Ridge office — and that “for some time,” Fritts “has been considered one of the top park designers in Tennessee.”

Campbell also wrote that the city has had “several Lynn Garden leaders” review the conceptual plan and provide input — and that if the county transfers the land to the city, the city will seek community input “on how to make this a great recreational space.”

The property in question is across the street from the former Lynn View Middle School, which the city purchased earlier this year from Tri-Cities Christian Schools.

Details from the conceptual drawing for the athletic field property include:

• The existing football field and stands would remain, along with a baseball diamond and two basketball courts.

• Three parking areas with a total of 86 spaces.

• A 30-foot-by-60-foot “pavilion.”

• A picnic pad.

• An ADA trail.

• A new restroom on the upper end of the property, along with a restroom/concessions building (currently on the lower end near the baseball diamond).

Last month, County Commissioner Wayne McConnell introduced a proposal for the county to sell the athletic fields to the city for $1.

McConnell’s resolution, co-sponsored by commissioners O.W. Ferguson and Joe Herron, describes the property as being approximately 7.56 acres. One section of the resolution indicates the county “desires” to transfer the property to Kingsport “at no cost to the city,” subject to the city using the property for “community recreational purposes.”

A subsequent section, however, lists the purchase price at $1 — that being subject to inclusion of a reversionary clause being placed in the deed to state the property would automatically revert to county ownership if the city ever ceases to use the property for community recreational purposes.

When the resolution was first introduced, county Commissioner Moe Brotherton said he’d like to see something else in writing regarding the proposed deed transfer: the city’s promise to spend $100,000 improving the property within a set timeframe and a guarantee the “Lynn View” name will continue to be used for the former school building and athletic fields.

The resolution, given the thumbs up by the county commission’s Executive Committee last week, is on the agenda this week for the commission’s Administrative Committee (set to meet at 6 p.m. today) and Budget Committee (set to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday).

It could come for a vote by the full commission on July 20.

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