Council authorizes right‑of‑way exchange to extend Guardian Way for VA clinic access

The City Council on June 18 authorized staff to finalize a right‑of‑way exchange to accommodate a revised alignment of Guardian Way that will provide access to a VA clinic under construction off Neal Street.

Staff (Mr. Ward) explained that the revised alignment removes an existing cul‑de‑sac and creates excess city right‑of‑way that can be deeded to adjacent property owners. In exchange, the city will receive small portions of adjacent private property needed for the new road alignment; primary properties involved are the Shanks properties (the Golden Oak dentistry site) and Cookeville Church of Christ. Mr. Ward said staff prepared survey exhibits showing excess and needed areas and coordinated reviews with utility departments; some easements will be retained for water quality control and energy departments.

"The proposed exchange would allow the city to deed excess right of way to the adjacent property owners where appropriate, and in return, those property owners would deed the needed right of way to the city for this Guardian Way alignment," Mr. Ward said. Staff recommended authorizing the city manager to execute the necessary deeds and related documents. Councilors highlighted long‑range planning benefits and coordination with the VA development team, and the council approved the authorization 5–0.

The exchange is tied to the VA clinic project; staff noted related remnant areas will be deeded to the Cookeville Church of Christ by the RKB Group to avoid reserve strips that could limit access. Next steps include preparing final deeds and executing transfers to implement the revised alignment.