Johnson City approves infrastructure deal for Burlington Mills Brush Creek development
April 17, 2026 | Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee
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The Johnson City Commission on April 16 approved an infrastructure agreement with Brush Creek Development LLC to guide public improvements for the Burlington Mills/Brush Creek mixed‑use project.
Assistant City Manager Nick Geis told commissioners the agreement clarifies responsibilities and cost‑sharing between the city and the developer for a project that includes widening the State of Franklin/West Walnut intersection, replacing a bridge, realigning McKinley Road with a new at‑grade railroad crossing, increasing floodplain capacity, and creating pedestrian‑oriented park amenities linked to the Frontier Trail. The document also requires the developer to provide a no‑rise certification for 100‑year flood elevations and to construct a pedestrian‑friendly storm‑water park and connectivity to the future Frontier Trail.
Geis said the work is phased over roughly eight years and carries a target completion date of Dec. 31, 2034. He described a mix of city responsibilities (design and some construction for intersection and bridge work) and developer obligations (site improvements, McKinley/Antioch realignment, and onsite amenity construction), with T‑DOT funding the railroad crossing portion and the city covering any budget shortfall for that item.
Commissioners pressed staff on phasing and timing; Geis said site demolition has started and more visible site work is expected later this year. The presentation included a preliminary timeline and a schematic showing color‑coded responsibilities.
The staff recommendation to approve passed on a unanimous roll call. Council action authorizes the mayor to sign necessary documents and directs staff to move forward with coordination and implementation tasks.
Votes at a glance: the infrastructure agreement passed by roll call (Getz/Yes, Wise/Yes, Brock/Yes, Mayor Cox/Yes).
Why it matters: Staff estimates the development will add housing and retail capacity to Johnson City, and the agreement locks in public commitments for road capacity, pedestrian access and flood mitigation required for the mixed‑use plan.
Assistant City Manager Nick Geis told commissioners the agreement clarifies responsibilities and cost‑sharing between the city and the developer for a project that includes widening the State of Franklin/West Walnut intersection, replacing a bridge, realigning McKinley Road with a new at‑grade railroad crossing, increasing floodplain capacity, and creating pedestrian‑oriented park amenities linked to the Frontier Trail. The document also requires the developer to provide a no‑rise certification for 100‑year flood elevations and to construct a pedestrian‑friendly storm‑water park and connectivity to the future Frontier Trail.
Geis said the work is phased over roughly eight years and carries a target completion date of Dec. 31, 2034. He described a mix of city responsibilities (design and some construction for intersection and bridge work) and developer obligations (site improvements, McKinley/Antioch realignment, and onsite amenity construction), with T‑DOT funding the railroad crossing portion and the city covering any budget shortfall for that item.
Commissioners pressed staff on phasing and timing; Geis said site demolition has started and more visible site work is expected later this year. The presentation included a preliminary timeline and a schematic showing color‑coded responsibilities.
The staff recommendation to approve passed on a unanimous roll call. Council action authorizes the mayor to sign necessary documents and directs staff to move forward with coordination and implementation tasks.
Votes at a glance: the infrastructure agreement passed by roll call (Getz/Yes, Wise/Yes, Brock/Yes, Mayor Cox/Yes).
Why it matters: Staff estimates the development will add housing and retail capacity to Johnson City, and the agreement locks in public commitments for road capacity, pedestrian access and flood mitigation required for the mixed‑use plan.
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