Mount Juliet plans development near Providence Marketplace - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Big city life is taking over country charm in Wilson County as the city of Mount Juliet grows again.

The city limits have expanded to make room for big business, so some are preparing for the possible growing pains and gains to come.

"That's my little privacy. I kinda like it like it is," said homeowner Bobby Gammons.

Soon, bustling office buildings will stand near Gammons' property as Mount Juliet continues to grow and change from the quaint community he knew when he moved in 10 years ago.

"There was the Cracker Barrel, the Waffle House and that little market down there. That was it," Gammons said.

Now, the city has annexed 270 acres that runs along Interstate 40 between Mount Juliet Road and Central Pike to expand the Providence Marketplace with a new development called Providence Central.

Leaders plan to break ground this summer on the first phase, which will include multi-family units, retail and six-story office buildings.

City officials said the area is prime land for big business, since it is conveniently located just off the interstate and is close to the Music City Star and Nashville International Airport. Planners are using the Cool Springs development as a template.

"That's the thing that Mount Juliet really needs and misses right now is the class - an office space where you might have a corporate center here," said Public Works Director Marlin Keel.

That will likely mean some growing pains on the roads as well.

"Some improvements to South Mount Juliet Road - the widening of the road - then some improvements to Central Pike, and, ultimately, there's gonna need to be a new interchange on I-40 in the Central Pike area," Keel said.

The goal is to have one place to live, work and play.

"I don't know what the view will be like once they get all of that finished," Gammons said.

However, that won't be anytime soon. City officials said it may take at least five to six years to complete Providence Central.

Because the land annexation only included property for the development, neighboring homeowners shouldn't see their property taxes go up.

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