Washington County officials have unanimously approved a resolution asking state legislators to amend the Regional Retail Tourism Development District Act, a law that ties development eligibility to population figures from the 2010 census. The move comes amid efforts to revitalize a 920-acre development site in Boones Creek, approved in 2019 by Johnson City.

Amending Outdated Population Requirements

The resolution, passed by the Washington County commission with five members absent, seeks to remove a clause requiring eligible districts to have a population between 122,900 and 123,000 people. Current population estimates for Washington County no longer meet these thresholds, which were based on the 2010 census.

Johnson City city manager Cathy Ball said the amendment would provide clarity for developers and ensure legal certainty for any financing tied to the proposed retail and entertainment district in Boones Creek. ‘We want to make sure that if a developer comes forward, we can move forward with this project without any constitutional questions about population,’ she told News Channel 11.

Ball also emphasized that 30% of the development is already underway, and local developers have shown interest in completing the remaining portion. The project, she said, is designed to attract visitors from across the region, drawing people two to three hours away to shop and experience entertainment options in Washington County.

Experiential Development Model

Ball described the Boones Creek development as more than just a retail space, emphasizing its focus on experiential opportunities for families. ‘There’s a lot we would like to see happen there that are experiences for families to have, not just retail shopping,’ she said. ‘We’re excited and hope to see a wide range of entertainment and value added to the retail aspect.’

District Five Commissioner Bryan Davenport compared the project to the Pinnacle in Bristol, Tennessee, which has been a successful retail and entertainment hub. Davenport said he believes the Boones Creek development will bring revenue to Washington County, much like the Pinnacle has done for Bristol.

Ball noted that while the Pinnacle focuses on retail, the Boones Creek project will differentiate itself through its experiential component. ‘We want to offer a wide range of entertainment types of value in addition to the retail,’ she said.

Next Steps for the Amendment

The requested amendment will now be forwarded to local state lawmakers for consideration. If passed, the change would allow Washington County to proceed with the development without being constrained by outdated population figures.

Ball said the city’s bond counsel is working to ensure that the county can move forward with the project, and the resolution is a critical step in that process. ‘This is a significant development for our area, and we are committed to making sure it moves forward as smoothly as possible,’ she added.

The Regional Retail Tourism Development District Act was originally designed to help counties compete with neighboring states by creating retail and tourism hubs. However, as population numbers have changed, the law’s requirements have become outdated, making it difficult for counties like Washington County to qualify for such developments.

Local officials argue that updating the law will help stimulate economic growth and attract new businesses to the region. The amendment could also have broader implications for other counties facing similar population challenges.