Fort Light.

The wide boulevard in front of Dobyns-Bennett High School has been a hub of community activity since the beginning. When I was growing up it was known as Memorial Boulevard. Those older than me may remember it as “New” Bristol Highway. When Brooks Circle was removed, it was renamed “Fort Henry Drive” because it became an extension of the existing Fort Henry. It’s where we hold the grandiose Independence Day parade, celebrate our Veterans Memorial, hold Fun Fest activities, hot air balloons, road races, street movies, food truck rallies, and display banners celebrating our graduates and our non-profit agencies.

Recently, I was driving on a weekend and noticed the road was partially closed. Workers were installing new LED streetlights on brand new black poles. It took me back to conversations with the current city manager and deputy city manager, who were assistants back then. They articulated a vision they called, “presentation of the city”. They noticed the city’s infrastructure was tired and didn’t make a good first impression. While we were infamously frugal, it was past time to reinvest. They wanted more money for paving, upgraded traffic signals, streetlight replacements, parks maintenance and expansion. They embarked on a mission to incrementally change our town. The results are all around: Gateway signs and landscaping, directional signage to major tourist destinations, Bays Mountain’s complete rebranding and modernization, Borden Park’s transformation, Preston Forest Park, Ridgefields Park, Greenbelt expansion, and Lynn View’s stadium, track, ballfields, and indoor facilities. And they did it while keeping Kingsport’s cost-of-living very low relative to the nation, state, and region.

I fully understand that some folks will never be happy until THEIR street is paved. But that’s always going to be the case. We allowed ourselves to get woefully behind. That wasn’t the fault of the current administration or even the one before that. It happened over a very long period of time. So a plan was devised to catch-up and considerable progress has been made already. You can view the maps and plans at PaveKingsport.com

I had a friend whose wife had a rock collection. They moved several times-and so did the rock collection. When they moved to Kingsport, he said, “Not again.” She didn’t argue. When the moving truck arrived at their new home, every time he opened a box there was a rock in it. Suffice it to say they moved the entire rock collection without fanfare by breaking up the seemingly insurmountable task into small bite-sized pieces. That’s how infrastructure should be managed. Don’t wait until it breaks down. Do a little bit at a time ALL THE TIME and it won’t get that bad in the first place. The current city administration understands that. A little grace would be appreciated.

So, when I saw the streetlights going up on Fort Henry, I smiled because it reminded me of those internal conversations and the many positive incremental changes they’ve made. Sometimes I think they’re so incremental that we don’t properly recognize them. Collectively, though, they cause people to say, “Something’s different, but I can’t put my finger on it.” I heard it from my out-of-state classmates when they returned for our high school reunions. “The town looks great.” One thing’s for sure, the little things are big things. And while the city is doing its part, let’s not forget to do ours. It’s Spring Clean Up Week March 27-31 and the city will provide FREE extra pick-up. Let’s clean-up, paint-up, fix-up, and keep Kingsport clean, green, and beautiful.

And of course, none of this would have been possible without Appalachian Power-a private company who is arguably more frugal than even the city government! (That’s intended to be a compliment). The new manager grew up here and cares passionately about the community. He uses any influence he can muster to make a positive impact whether it be Santa Train or the appearance of his hometown.

Kingsport Times-News, February 24, 1949

A rusty street pole in front of the Civic Auditorium before replacement. March 11, 2023

This Times-News captures the old poles.

Fun Fest Balloon Rally with old streetlights in foreground

An old streetlight pole lays in front of the Veterans Memorial. Appalachian Power is installing new LED streetlights on this important civic boulevard. March 11, 2023

Contractors finished installing new LED streetlights on one side of Fort Henry and are working their way down the other. March 11, 2023