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Spring Hill’s $84M Commerce Center Project Moves Forward with Extended Timeline

Issue #439

May 17, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Weather - Sunny w/ high of 88 & low of 64

📰 Spring Hill’s $84M Commerce Center Project Moves Forward with Extended Timeline

🎓 😳 5 Lewis County High School Seniors Graduate From Columbia State w/ Associates Degrees, One Week Before Graduating From High School!

📌 Today: A Worthy Cause Field Day at Riverwalk Park

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

👉 Do You Love What’s Up Columbia??? VOTE FOR US HERE! (Must vote for at least 5 categories to be valid)

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Spring Hill’s $84M Commerce Center Project Moves Forward with Extended Timeline

Photo: City of Spring Hill

Spring Hill’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) spent the bulk of its recent meeting discussing the proposed Commerce Center with its developer, Richmond Company. The project, planned for 700 acres between Duplex and Jim Warren Roads, would feature 5.7 million square feet of commercial and industrial space, as well as a 285-acre airport.

The development would operate under a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement, in which Richmond would be reimbursed $12 million through local tax revenue for installing infrastructure. The company estimates the project could bring in $84 million in taxes and $21 million in fees over 20 years.

However, road improvement plans for Jim Warren and Duplex Roads have been delayed due to federal grant eligibility changes, prompting Richmond to self-fund overpass construction. The developer has also turned to the county utility district for water and power services, limiting Spring Hill’s involvement and revenue. Traffic studies will be conducted incrementally, as different sections of the project become active.

Because of these adjustments and the need to comply with the city’s Unified Development Code, Richmond requested a one-year extension, which BOMA approved. The final build-out is projected for 2035.

The future airport is intended to support corporate travel, with interest already shown by six companies in running its service operations. The concept includes selling hangars to businesses with offices in nearby Brentwood.

Traffic concerns dominated the discussion, particularly around the increased burden on local roads. Although consultants say Duplex Road could handle significantly more traffic, some aldermen raised safety concerns for residents and school children who use the road daily. Alternatives, such as building a new road, were deemed cost-prohibitive due to right-of-way expenses.

City officials said Richmond is prepared to invest $5 million toward safety improvements on Duplex Road, but aldermen warned that unless state cooperation and road funding are secured, the city could face serious traffic issues. There were also concerns over the city’s financial liability for $30 million in infrastructure costs without firm commitments in the agreement.

Despite mixed views, BOMA granted the extension, with officials noting that the land had previously been zoned residential. The shift to a commercial project was seen as a way to reduce population growth pressure and ensure long-term planning for the area.

5 Lewis County High School Seniors Graduate From Columbia State w/ Associates Degrees, One Week Before Graduating From High School!

Columbia State Community College is pleased to announce that five Lewis County High School students who graduated in Columbia State’s Spring 2025 Commencement were the college’s first class of Lewis County High School Middle College graduates.

Jaxon Cagle, Lane Cunningham, William Rogers, Jeremiah Wiebe and Faith Wishaw walked across the stage during Columbia State’s commencement ceremonies and received their associate degrees. Cagle earned a general transfer/university parallel Associate of Science degree; Cunningham earned a general transfer/university parallel Associate of Arts degree; Rogers earned an Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in history; Wiebe earned a general transfer/university parallel Associate of Arts degree; and Wishaw earned an Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in social work.

As part of the Middle College program, they also graduated with their Lewis County High School diploma on May 16.

All five students began the Middle College program in their junior year and took dual enrollment classes toward their degree in a hybrid-class structure, taking both online and in person courses at the Columbia Campus and at Lewis County High School.  

Middle College is a partnership between a high school and a community college. Through this partnership, high school students beginning their junior year, have the opportunity to pursue an associate degree. Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain eligible in the program. Upon completion of the program and after graduating from high school, they will receive an associate degree and are prepared to transfer as a junior to a four-year institution.

“Columbia State is so proud of these students and their commitment to being full-time college students while in high school,” said Cissy Holt, Columbia State vice president for Student Affairs. “These students continued to engage in activities at their high school and participated at the college level as well. We are equally proud of the partnership with Lewis County Schools and Dr. Tracy McAbee, director of schools. The collaboration with Dr. McAbee and his senior-level staff has been amazing.”

Middle College students are full-time college students who are degree-seeking. Approved students can receive up to $2,000 a semester in state funding while taking courses in the program. Columbia State also accepts students using the Middle College Scholarship through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.

“This program is an exceptional opportunity built through a Lewis County High School and Columbia State partnership for high school students to achieve two years of college credit, their associate degree, as they receive their high school diploma,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “It's exciting, my congratulations to the graduates!”

For information on Columbia State’s Middle College partnership program, email [email protected].

Today: A Worthy Cause Field Day at Riverwalk Park

Hey friends! A Worthy Cause will be hosting our 3rd Community Field Day on May 17th in Riverwalk Park!

You can sign up a team to compete in fun field day games for a chance to win a cash prize 

Outside of the competition games, the splash pad will be open, we will have other fun games/activities, bounce houses, and Kona Ice of Muletown!!

The community field day is a great way to get outside and enjoy one of Columbia’s awesome parks, connect with others, and play some games!!

Sign up and get more info here or feel free to comment or shoot us a DM if you have any questions!

Saturday, May 17th
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Riverwalk Park
102 Riverside Dr., Columbia

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Saturday, May 17th

Sunday, May 18th

Monday, May 19th

Tuesday, May 20th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

May 29 - 31: Music City Rodeo
June 5-8: CMA Fest
June 7-8: Nashville Comicon

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, May 16th

Music in May, The Awaken House, 5:00-8:00 PM
TBA, The Spot Burgers & Beers, 5:00-8:00 PM
Rob Harris, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00-8:00 PM
Nick Duhe, Buck and Board, 6:00-8:00 PM
Jennifer Leigh & Cody Hunt, Grazie Italian Eatery, 6:30-9:30 PM
Open Mic Night, Grinder’s Switch, 7:00-9:00 PM
Cross Bridges, Puckett’s, 7:30-9:00 PM
5x5, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00-11:00 PM

Saturday, May 17th

Miles Damaso Group, Puckett’s, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Don Phillips, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00-7:00 PM
Trevor Clark, Buck and Board, 5:00-8:00 PM
Rob Higginbotham, Grazie Italian Eatery, 6:30-9:30 PM
Scotty Inman, Todd Tilgham & After Grace, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Lisa Law & The Fab 3, Puckett’s, 7:30-9:00 PM
Michael Farren, Joe Leathers, Damien Boggs, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM, Reservations For Patio
Box of Rox, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00-11:00 PM

Sunday, May 18th

Jay Rin, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00-5:00 PM
CJ Conklin, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00-7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00-7:30 PM
DNR, The Rebel, 7:00 PM

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