KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The Tullahoma Utilities Authority (TUA) Board of Directors gave their approval to donate a parcel of property in the Short Springs area to the city to address safety concerns.

In its January meeting, the board was presented with the item that would allow TUA to donate parcel of land adjacent to the Short Springs Natural Area. According to TUA President Allen Potter, TUA has noticed over the years that the land has been used by people as parking when the visit the Short Springs Natural Area.

This has created challenges with insufficient parking, leading to congestion and safety concerns, which led the city to put up barriers as the cars couldn’t get off the street enough.

“The cars are in the street and when the emergency services are trying to get through they’ve been blocked,” Potter said.

Due to the barriers, TUA had to relocate its fence on that side of the property 10 feet.

Per his proposal, TUA would donate approximately 250 feet by 10 feet to the city of Tullahoma. The land would be used exclusively for constructing parking improvements of the Short Springs Natural Area; and a reversion clause would be included in the agreement. The clause would stipulate that if parking improvements were not completed by June 30, 2026, then the ownership of the land will revert back to TUA. Potter said this was to assure that the land is being used for parking and nothing else.

Board member Busch Thomas asked Potter to define “improve” in this proposal, and Potter said the plan discussed with the city was to pave the area.

TUA Board Chairman Dr. Jimmy Blanks said the board is aware that parking in the area has been a problem, especially during the spring and fall where people go park and take part in the nearby trails.

 “From a safety standpoint that’s not good so if we can open up parking and team up with the city to improve that area I think that’s a win-win for both of us,” Blanks said.

 Board member Patty Deen added that with the land it will double the parking available by Short Springs, which will accommodate for all the visitors the area receives from outside the state.

“There are cars from everywhere, not even just from Tennessee,” Deen said. “That’s really going to help the state park.”

Potter added that TUA has consulted with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation about the matter, and said they were on board with adding parking to Short Springs.

“They don’t want it overcrowded,” Potter said.

With no further discussion, the board unanimously approved to proposed donation with the outlined conditions. With its approval, Potter will work with legal counsel to draft an agreement to ensure the land is used as intended.