The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page V1

FRANKLIN Ucmcui appeal JUNE 26, 2013 SINCE 1813 A SUPPLEMENT TO THE TENNESSEAN EVERY WEDNESDAY TRANSPORTATION -S3 City Hall is back on agenda Recession moved planning for project off front burner By Kevin Walters The Tennessean FRANKLIN After years of being on hold, a new Franklin City Hall could get renewed attention this year. City Administrator Eric Stuckey is urging aldermen to add redevelopment of the former shopping mall turned city building to their list of top priority projects. "I don't think we want to keep that just on the sidelines anymore," Stuckey said. "I think we've got to give it some direct thought as we look at projects and priorities." For years, aldermen have discussed redeveloping Franklin's property that adjoins the Public Square to include a boutique hotel, among other potential uses for the site. In theory, Franklin would take the money from the sale or lease of the city's 4.27-acre parcel for the hotel and use it to help finance construction of a HALL, 3 1 1 .1 The widening of Interstate 65 to four lanes in each direction has been completed through most of Franklin.

Officials there say they've noticed an improvement in traffic through interstate stretches in town, but Spring Hill officials say commuters still are affected by bottlenecks at, and south of. Goose Creek Bypass, photos by mark cookthe tennessean Intermission on 1-65 AT TENNESSEAN.COM Bids due in July on widening from Goose Creek to 840 By Josh Brown The Tennessean The first phase of a project to relieve congestion on Interstate 65 in Williamson County has been completed, and state transportation officials are planning to begin the final phase this fall. Work to widen a roughly three-mile stretch from Murfreesboro Road south to the Goose Creek Bypass began in November 2010 and wrapped up in April. The project consisted of widening the road from two to four lanes each way in an attempt to reduce congestion for commuters from southern Williamson County and beyond. Construction on the second phase widening roughly four miles between Goose Creek Bypass and State Route 840 could start as early as this fall, said Deanna Lambert, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Next month, transportation officials will begin reviewing bids from contractors to complete the work. Bids are due by July 12, Lambert said. The second phase of the project is set for completion by April 2016. Status quo in south Not long after the first phase of the widening project was completed, Franklin officials noticed an improvement in traffic through interstate stretches in INTERSTATE, 3 The Owl's Hill home was designed to take full advantage of its seclusion, bruce cain ELEVATED LENS PHOTOGRAPHY The mansion built in 1957 by Walter and Hulda Cheek-Sharp, who donated the land around the house for Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary, will be listed for sale July 1. The incredible home cannot be seen from Beech Creek Road, which runs by the sanctuary, because it is tucked into the protected forest.

And the architecture takes full advantage of the meadow, trees and sky that surround the house. See a slideshow of the estate at Tennessean 1 1 iamson. The first phase of the widening stopped just north of the Goose Creek Bypass. The interchange will be rebuilt as part of the long-term project. TAKE A BOW Nolensville man pursues perfect backyard tomato matter," he said.

The best place to find out if you've got good tomato-growing soil, Burns says, is to take a sample to Ellington Agricultural Center off of Hogan Road in Nashville, where the staff can test the acidity. Then, buy the plants with the tomato varieties you like to eat best. This year, Burns' varieties include Bradley's and Pink Girl. You can find the half -barrels at farm and co-op stores. Be sure to punch holes in the bottom or your plants will drown.

Finally, stake tomatoes so they don't blow down in a summer storm. Burns uses metal fencing posts. TOMATOES, 3 You don't have to feed a small nation or save someone from a fire to do some good for your fellow human beings. Sometimes all it takes is a helpful gardening tip. Case in point: Nolensville's John Burns, who has been farming since he was a youngster, is well aware of the length tomato lovers will go to get the best, freshest produce for BLTs, spaghetti sauces or for eating straight off the vine with salt or Miracle Whip, just the way Burns likes it.

But he knows that some people may not have the yard space to grow an extensive garden. "Anybody who wants to raise tomatoes can do it. You don't even need to break up your yard," said Burns, pointing at full, leafy-green tomato plants sitting in 10 half -barrels about 25-gallon plastic tubs in a single neat row behind his house. First, container farmers must start from the ground up. "You've got to have good dirt with plenty of organic John Burns of Nolensville shows green tomatoes on the vine that were grown in half-barrels, bonnieburchthetennessean WILLIAMSON COUNTY NEWS WAMTENNESSEAN.COM DELIVERY INFORMATION 313-2726 Where Country Living Meets Club Lifestyle.