Portland, Tennessee Blog

You're welcome ! :)

Oh yea! I remember hearing about that big project with the RV center and everything. Thanks for the info!

Oh, I didn't answer the "what" part of your question.....a couple years ago, there were plans for that property -- what I read in the Franklin Favorite was that originally, this property was planned to be a huge RV park, catering to the RV'ers, complete with shopping, entertainment, restaurants, an RV maintenance/repair center, even an IMAX theater with a Cabelo's store being the anchor store, so I heard. However, it never materialized....and now that land is for sale.
Typing in Garvin's Franklink KY in Google will take you to the ads with pictures of the land, etc. I heard about a year ago that the developer was waiting to hear if Cabelas was going to build there...evidently it didn't....so everything apparently fell apart.

Just up the interstate, almost into Bowling Green is Gander Mt......another big RV/ camper world place.

Anyway..that's all I know about the Garvin's land.

It would be neat if something really good would develop there....personally, I'm all for the Casinos and all the accompanying restaurants, etc.

www.garvins.com

gives a good video on the project

Garvin's, the land that is for sale, is on I-65...just north of Franklin, KY.....about 18 miles this side of Bowling Green....you can't miss seeing the big black signs that say...Garvins.

By the way, what/where is the Garvin Property?gw

There is an old adage that says "you have to spend money to make money." Unfortuntely, Portland seems to be stuck in the 70's and the city is going to have to spend some money to help encourage larger retail outlets, restaurants like O'Charley's (my personal favorite), and other businesses that are more upscale than what we currently have, to locate here. I still maintain that an outlets mall on 31W anywhere between Exit 117 and the KY state line would bring in revenue from "out-of-stater's" and help the city to revamp itself. I would like to see much more to Portland than large mega-size warehouses and old buildings. Franklin, KY wasn't always "on the grow" and they are making modern choices that are helping them move forward. Portland, however, seems to just sit still! City leaders are responsible to us, it is their job to hear the people and do things within reason, that the people want to see done. If we really want "change" it will be up to us to vote the people in that are willing to go out on a limb and to put in the work and time necessary to draw attention to our city that is needed for growth. It is becoming an embarrasment that all Portland has to offer is an annual Strawberry Festival. As for liquer by the drink, hey, I am an adult and am certainly capable of making sound decisions as are MOST other adults. Not selling LBTD will not stop people from driving drunk, and not reaping the benefits of casinos in KY will not keep people from gambling away money they should spend elsewhere.

I just read on Loopnet.com that the Garvin property is selling for $20,0000 an acre and there are 861 acres for sale, if I read it right.
The ad said that is was available for residential, commercial, or industrial development. They called it Garvin's Corner. Is that the whole amount of land he has or is that just one small section of it ????

CD - Yes 12 Casinos proposed. I read somewhere that 9 casinos were slotted for race tracks, but could of been a misprint, I also read where the owner of all the land marked as Garvin development would like to build a casino on some of that property. So that would be a possibility of 2 over the state line.

I did a little research and could only find that there was 12 Casinos proposed in Ky. Seven would be at race tracks and five would be freestanding. Kentucky downs in Simpson county was one of the Horse tracks. That means only one Casino across the line from us. The other local location would be a freestanding casino in the Ft Campbell area.

Don't think we need to build lots of any thing for one Casino.

hey chuck 11. you sound like a real marxist.
bet you're voting far left. obama, perhaps?
if you re-read my previous post, i never said that people who vote against lbtd are cavepeople.
i never said they were hillbillies. i said the people running this town were. gambling is a personal choice. myself, my money comes too hard to just crap away at the blackjack table, but if someone else wants to thats their choice. if they go bankrupt, thats a shame. that is the choice they made and not you or me can change it. its not your money, its not your choice, although you sound like it should be, just like a liberal.

No....guess I will have to see it to believe it.
I think the traffic will be on 31-W mostly.
If there are places to eat around the Casino, I don't think anyone is going to drive 5 miles to eat at Krystal or Pizza Hut here in town.

Portland does have the potential to benefit, but their mind-set is going to have to change....and I don't think that's possible for them right now...it scares them too much to be anything different than how it's always been.

DeeAnna - I agree to a certain degree with Chuck II and dontmakemelaugh, If casinos are build just over our borders it will impact our quaint little town in more ways than you think. I refer to a prior post of mine where I said.... "Portland really needs to stand up and take notice and get their ducks in a row, or as like most other casino towns there is always near by hole in the wall places that sat, and sat, and sat while other areas drew the goods, and they drew in the rats!"

Our towns ability to attract better businesses, hotels, restaurants, housing, and the like I think will play a large role in what is going to become of our town in the future in keeping the undesirables out. Dress it up and they may stay away, dress it down or maintain status quo and lord knows what you're gonna get! Just my opinion!

DeeAnna, Don't you think that Hwy 109 will stay busy with all the traffice coming from Gallatin and beyond? It will be just like all the tractor-trailers that come thru Portland from the south.
Traffic will probably double.

I think the casinos will have a big impact on Portland one way or another.

Chuck II --- you were just being silly when you said you'd move if casinos moved in at the stateline, weren't you ??

Casinos at the stateline will have no bearing on Portland....LOL LOL

All the traffic will be on 31....all the business will be there...nothing will happen to our safe littel haven here in Portland..LOL Don't think you'll need to put bars on your windows, just yet...

If you do move...let me know where you find your view of Utopia, where there is only peace, quiet, and fruit juice to drink...ok ?

Personally, I am not for LBTD, but I am also realistic enough to realize that it is only a matter of time before we get it. If the casino proposition passes in KY, and a casino opens just across the border, it is pretty much a done deal that we'll have LBTD. I think we will also see a huge increase in growth in a relatively short period of time, and we (read city council) had better be careful how we approach the new growth.

There is no denying that the casino's will bring a huge amount of income to the state of KY. I was listening to WTN this AM, and a congressman stated that the state would get 51% of the take. Considering that MS only gets 12% you can bet that the casinos in KY will pop up like weeds. We need to be careful not to "give away the kitchen sink" to attract new businesses. We will not see the revenue increase that KY will see, and I can already foresee a fight between the two states trying to attract the hotels and other "supporting" businesses. If we start giving away the farm in the form of tax breaks or incentives in an effort to get these businesses, we the taxpayers may very well come out on the short end.

We also need to be aware of the downside of casinos located just across the border. Studies have shown that bankruptcies, suicides, foreclosures, and other gambling related problems skyrocket in the proximity of the casinos. We can fully expect an increase in these types of problems, but will have to face them without the revenue to deal with them.

Finally, I like to address the wonderfully eloquent posting calling those of us who do not support LBTD "cavemen". We moved here 10 years ago because we liked the smaller town atmosphere. If we wanted the choices available in Gallatin, Hendersonville, White House, or Nashville we would have moved there. Not voting for LBTD does not necessarily make anyone a "hillbilly" or mean they are "stuck in the 50's".
If the casinos do indeed move in just across the border, chances are high that we'll move again even if we have to leave behind "neseccities like a skatepark." My wife and I have lived all over the country, and overseas. None of the communities we lived in considered a skatepark a necessity.

"PORTLAND" !
"portland" does not do anything.
it is up to voters to decided on LBTD, and so far they have; they said no. get over it.
if YOU want a hotel, go borrow the money and build one!

If there is going to be casinos over the state lone then I think Portland better think real hard about passing liquor by the drink and building a couple of new hotels, and a good restaurant as well!

I will be the first to say I have always voted for Liquor by the drink, because I believe in Americans having choice and I resent other people trying to enforce their beliefs on me or taking away my right to choose what I will or will not drink or how to spend money, etc. I will be the first to patronize the casinos when they open at the stateline, I am sure.....LOL

Portland has potential -- don't think we should give up on it quite yet......LOL...it's really just a matter of time and more people moving in that don't have allegiance to the old ways of doing things here.

if i hear one more idiot say they want a walmart or logans etc., but then say that they voted against lbtd, i think i'm gonna dig my eardrums out with a rusty spoon. everybody can complain and whine all they want about nothing being here, but until they get off their keysters and outvote
the cavepeople that run this hillbilly town what they see it what they get.what is really sad is that these people that are stuck in the 50's are not the majority, they get together and vote while the real majority that wants some real change dont have time to vote, but they have all the time in the world to complain.so the result is we lose millions of tax dollars and our tax and spend city council comes up with more and more fees and tax hikes to fund neseccities like a skatepark. it wont be long before callis and company will be screaming that we need to raise the garbage pick-up and propety tax and utilities.
meanwhile robertson co. and kentucky residents are saying keep the tax dollars a comin' ya yokels.

Some friends and i are looking for a house in portland. We plan to move in around early august. We will buy or rent. Any suggestions?

If they do build a Casino across the line they will most likely sell Liquor by the drink and have restaurants in them and around them that will. People from Portland will be able to drive there and spend their money. No matter how much they make they will get to spend their money in another town.

Portland has Hundreds of people that travel out of town each night to eat and have a drink. The casino area will just give them and me another option while Portland continue's to lose TAX money.

If Portland had Liquor by the drink then we might be able to get some restaruant's up at the Tennesse side of the state line . If we don't we lose out.

MG, I agree we need to look at the possibilities, but we also have to be realistic. I know many people in this town would love to see more places to dine and shop in Portland, but most businesses are not going to come here "hoping" for enough business to be profitable. I've heard and read people claiming that our failure to pass "liquor by the drink" as a factor in our inability to get new businesses here when in reality it is simply our size. Yes, Gallatin has more opportunities than we do, but they are twice our size (based on 2000 census data). In addition, nearly a third of our population make less than 25K a year: not exactly a group that has a lot of disposable income. Gallatin already has the customer base in place to support Chili's, Home Depot, and other businesses; we don't. We will have to grow before we are in a position to support additional businesses.

So yes, we will probably see some benefit to the casino's in KY, but in all likelihood there won't be many, at least initially.

Why should the bingo buses pull into Portland....there is nothing here to see. The only thing we have here is the Strawberry Festival and that's only once a year. A large Flea market, antique shops, and outlet stores will be a start.

The casino traffic will by-pass Portland unless we do something to make them want to stop here. Now is the time to start planning for what is down the road.

I don't think that we are going to be affected as much as you all think. As a matter of fact, I think the majority will bypass Portland altogether by accessing the casino from exit 2 in KY. Sure, there may be some who will exit in Tennessee once the new interchange is complete, but I don't look for that to happen anytime in the near future.(TDOT is slower than Moses.) But even when it is finally ready , those who do use it will have their eye on the prize . . . not Portland. There are currently BUSLOADS of people who travel to Franklin every single day of the week to play Bingo . . . how many of those buses have pulled into Portland? Personally, I've never seen one . . . go figure.

Hey guys, I agree it would be great to have revenue producing businesses come to Portland due to the casino gambling. Anybody have friends with money to invest? I would love to have more choices. I'm with Chuck on that we need to realize and prepare for the crime rate to go up in the surrounding areas. I visited Mississippi about a year after casinos and saw all these homes in rural areas(similar to driving down 109 or 52) with chain link fences around them. I don't believe they had them for their beauty. Just imagine all the different types of people who will be coming thru Portland to gamble at casino. It would be nice if they were all law-abiding citizens, somehow I don't believe that will be the case.

There's no question that with the positives come the negatives. No one is doubting that or denying it. It's true in just about every aspect of our lives.

The question is are we going to capitalize on the positives of this probably inevitable change on our horizon (such as figuring out how to increase revenue to fund additional police and other necessary improvements) or are we going to stick our heads in the sand and pretend the casino doesn't exist, like that will make the negatives go away?

I agree with DebraP & DeeAnna, and yes with some of what Chuck said. As for Chucks post from a column on this issue "In order for the state to realize $500 million in revenues, casinos would need to earn $1.4 billion, which means Kentucky families and individuals would lose $1.4 billion." I don't know the statistics, but I would be willing to bet that a very large portion of the revenue is generated from folks traveling to these casinos from other areas and NOT from the locals. They offer more than just gambling, like Dining, Over Night Accommodations, Shows and live entertainment that generate revenue as well. It's like a tourist attraction, but one that many will make trips from 25, 50, or 100 miles away to visit quite frequently.

I've been to Casinos in Tunica, Biloxi, Paradise Island, Atlantic City, IN, NY, FL and Metropolis, we'll go to one of them once or twice a year, we have a set amount for gambling, and don't go with the mortgage or grocery money!! This is our vacations, been doing it for over 10 yrs. Will we go to KY if they get them? Yes, Probably more frequently that 1-2 times a year, but the amount we would go with will be sizeably less. Am I thrilled to have them right next door.... NO!! I like my vacations away from home:~)
Just like the signs say in TN stores that sell lottery tickets. GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY!

Well there is nothing we can do to stop casino gambling in KY. A sign in our yards will not have any relevance on this happening. If it comes, so be it. We will have to learn to live with the pitfalls.

Only adults will be allowed to gamble there and they are responsible for their own actions.

I think the benifits to Portland will out weigh the negatives.

I think the same was said of the invention of the automobile......

the main negative I see for casinos coming to the stateline is that every other yard in Portland will have a "Let's say No to gambling" sign in it.....LOL

Has the sale of lottery tickets brought doom to Portland ??

It is all well and good to discuss the benefits of casinos appearing just across the border, but what about the pitfalls? I have no doubt that we will see a few benefits in the way of additional businesses, tax revenues, and jobs. However, I also think we will get a lot of the negatives associated with casinos and few of the positives.

When casinos began springing up in Biloxi, MS. the bankruptcy and other financial problems associated with gambling skyrocketed at Keesler AFB. The losses were greatest among those who could least afford it. Crime, bankruptcy, divorce, and requests for financial assistance increased substantially.

In a column by Dr. Bill Mackey, the downside of casino gambling in Kentuck is discussed. "In order for the state to realize $500 million in revenues, casinos would need to earn $1.4 billion, which means Kentucky families and individuals would lose $1.4 billion." Now imagine the cost to Portland families, and the state of Tennesee who will see relatively little financial benefit. We can expect the same increase in crime and other problems that come with casino gambling, but few of the benefits.

We need to be prepared to handle the negative sides of gambling and not be blinded by the false promises of a financial windfall.

Very well said, MG.

The city works in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce--or at least I hope that is the way it works, since they desperately need to be on the same page--to draw new business to Portland. They attend meetings and exhibitions touting what Portland has to offer to new businesses. This should be a HUGE draw to businesses that might locate here.

I believe that the "municipality" as a whole works hard; however, I don't believe they are always seeking to make Portland "progressive" because there is definitely a faction here who wants Portland to be the way it's always been. That may be a nice idea, but keeping it the way it's always been has driven residents to spend their disposable income elsewhere, letting other communities reap the benefits, and leaving holes in this city's ability to maintain the infrastructure and expand it as needed.

This blog is a way for "we the people" (who pay the taxes) to express what we think is important for the community from our perspective. I think most posters here want our council and chamber to hear what we have to say so that they know the will of the people they represent. The more people they hear from, whether on the street, in meetings, or on the blog, the more information they have with which to make decisions affecting growth and change in this city. It's not about bad-mouthing the city officials (at least from my perspective), it's about giving them ideas, perspective, and information.

I assume by "the City" you are referring to the municipality of Portland. What do you think they should do?? They can't go out and develop nor can they force others to. I'm not so sure it's their place. What about the Chamber? I think the City promotes growth as well as they can but you can't force people to invest, especially when, for example, people get on blogs like this and openly criticize the city in every post. You all may be part of the problem.

I agree with everything you said Judy!!

I really don't know how things work but it seems to me that the restaurant and hotel chains should be coming to Portland to see what land is available. They will know to jump on this opportunity early.

As far as Portland putting the process into high gear, I don't see it. They have always been slow about making change. I hope I am wrong!!

The question here remains to be:
What Affect do you think this will have on the Portland Area?

My thoughts are that it will impact us greatly!
1- Property Values I hope will rise
2- Tourism in Portland a greater possibility - nows the time for Ronnie's Museum!
3- Roads impacted greatly on 31w, a deterrent to those shopping in KY.
4- Additional Public safety needs
5- Cash advances & Pawn Shops should do well
6- Restaurants & Hotels if we had them will thrive
7- Unfortunately crime will rise
8- More businesses will have a reason to look at Portland to expand!

What are your thoughts?

what boat?
no one is stopping anyone from investing
the city has nothing to do with
go borrow some money and take some risk
quit waiting for someone else

Hmmm....seems like I just mentioned this in a post a few days ago. We need to be doing something NOW--not planning for 5 years down the road. We will have missed out by then. We know that we are going to at the very least be inconvenienced by the congestion and traffic--let's work hard to figure out how to capture every bit of benefit for this city that we can possibly scrape up. It's fine and dandy to oppose casinos on a moral ground, but we have to consider what happens to our city if it is going to come anyway. If they build it, people will come--we will likely require more infrastructure and road work and more police officers to handle the additional traffic and surrounding issues. How do we plan to pay for all that? We need to pay for it on the backs of the people who visit the casino by capturing their dining/gas/shopping dollars on this side of the state line.

I agree completely with I wonder and their post below.

If this passes and I honestly think it will, or one of the major "resort" owners would not of invested into KY downs. This could be our only real hope to attract businesses out near the state line.

For the past few months I couldn't understand why some one would be building all the apartments that they are out at the state line, and now it is clearer to me that someone is taking a risk on the future of what may very well be just down the street. That being the thousands of casino employees that make good money but want to live close to work and can afford to pay good rent. What may be going for $600. per month now, in the near future could be $900 or more!!!

Portland really needs to stand up and take notice and get their ducks in a row, or as like most other casino towns there is always near by hole in the wall places that sat, and sat, and sat while other areas drew the goods, and they drew in the rats!

Portland leaders need to watch this very closely. If this bill passes in KY, then we can expect KY Downs and other place to begin casino gambling fairly quickly. Every weekend, there are hundreds of Tennessean that go to Franklin for bingo, why not slot machines and card games now. With this happening at our back door, it is a chance for Portland to capitalize off this growth just over the line. I know a lot of you will disagree, but with the casinos right across the line, Portland, will have the traffic and congestion, so why not make the best of it. We can't control KY's growth but we can do good for the town and attract those hotels and resturants for the vistors. We are getting a new exit soon, so people will be exiting into our town. Lets offer them something, by giving them vistors a place to stay and eat while gambling. Shopping is always big among the travelers, still plenty of land avaiable to attract big name stores. City Council, just like we are doing with the Hwy 52 corridor, lets make plans to expand Hwy 31W and 109 for this possible growth with input from the citizens. Please keep a close watch on this and lets not fall behind and miss out on the oppurtunity of increasing revenue for our town. Please stop with the factories at the stateline and wasting possibly vaulable commercial property.