Grant Summers shows off a panoramic view of downtown Johnson City, which is visible from the top floor of the Model Mill property Summers and his father Rab are currently renovating. The project, which is scheduled to be completed late next year, has the potential to generate positive momentum for the redesign of the West Walnut Street corridor. PHOTO BY BILL DERBY
As Grant Summers guided leaders from the Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership and members of the community on a recent tour through the historic Model Mill property, he described efforts to rehabilitate the 109-year-old structure as a “heart project,” which seems fitting.
By the time Grant and his father Rab finish restoring the historic property late next year, it has the potential to be the heart of a rejuvenated West Walnut Street district that could prove to be a crucial connector between ETSU and Johnson City’s downtown. The old mill will house the headquarters of Summers-Taylor – the Summers’ family business – as well as an art gallery featuring the work of ETSU students and a bakery. Rumors of a restaurant moving into the building are swirling, and the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce is in talks to lease space in Model Mill as well.
Joe Wise, a Johnson City Commissioner and the chairman of the West Walnut Street Task Force, sees the investment made by Rab and Grant Summers – operating as R&G Ventures, Inc. – as a rock hitting the surface of a pond. Wise is hopeful the project will create a ripple effect of private investment throughout the rest of the West Walnut Street corridor.
Rab Summers guides a group of NETREP investors and community leaders on a tour of the Model Mill property. Operating as R&G Ventures, Rab and Grant Summers have been hard at work renovating the 109-year-old mill, which is expected to house a wide variety of businesses when the project is completed. PHOTO BY BILL DERBY
Since the West Walnut Street Task Force was formed about two years ago, there has been a concerted effort by city and community leaders to rehabilitate what was once an industrial district. The promise of tax increment financing played a large role in making it feasible for Rab and Grant Summers to take on the Model Mill project.
“This is a huge example of a public-private partnership,” Grant Summers told those in attendance at the recent Model Mill tour.
Time will tell whether the Model Mill project and the rehabilitation of the West Walnut Street corridor are successful, but for now, Wise is encouraged to see city government, ETSU leadership and the business community pulling in the same direction.
Grant Summers shows the tour group the progress that has been made during the course of the project. PHOTO BY BILL DERBY
