ALCOA, Tenn. — Jim N' Nicks barbecue restaurant is the latest addition to Alcoa's Springbrook Farm development — a mixed-use area the city is working on at the site of the old Alcoa West Plant.
Alcoa leaders approved plans for the restaurant about a week ago, and the site's developer said plans for even more businesses will be presented to the city over the summer.
"So Springbrook Farm, when we look at how it's planned out, it's planned out to include a mix of residential and commercial uses," said Jeremy Pearson, the Alcoa City Planner. "Those things co-exist with a town center hub being a core feature."
Pearson said one of the plan's biggest goals is to make it easy for people to walk, or bike, from one business to another.
"To make it easier to do that is a priority for this property," he said.
Several roads have been constructed in the area to accommodate increasing traffic as businesses open, Pearson said.
Development firm RealtyLink is selling the property for the project. Developer Austin Wilson says he expects several businesses, like Just Love Coffee, Swig Soda Shop and Alcoa Ship to be open by the end of the year.
There are also more businesses in the works, he said.
"We're working on the Chop House, which is a local staple here in Knoxville," Wilson said. "Then we've got Freddy's, Dos Bros, which is like a Chipotle, Super Chix fried chicken and ice cream, then Tennessee Orthopedics is coming in, as well."
Wilson said about 100 acres of the more than 300-acre property is developed and another 100 acres is currently in development.
He couldn't name other businesses coming to the area but said he thinks people will like them.
"We have plans for what we want that to look like," Wilson said. "I hope to have the whole thing done in the next five to ten years."