Main Street Marketplace and Riverwalk are Back on Drawing Boards!

Building permits could be issued as early as next week for the proposed development in Pigeon Forge that has been delayed for months over a dispute with the Environmental Protection Agency. It seems that the retail, resort and entertainment complex did not obtain the necessary wetlands permit, and the EPA halted progress on the project until the developers had met all its demands.

The Riverwalk project is located on a 150 acre property bordered on south of Teaster Road and Jake Thomas Road, and it’s southern most border is lined by the Little Pigeon River. This property will contain Marketplace, a 270,000-square foot lifestyle center with a projected cost of $75 million. It will contain restaurants, retail establishments and a 12-screen movie complex. About two acres of this property contains the wetlands that were inadvertently damaged by a contractor during site prep work, and the lack of a permit drew the ire of the EPA. All is well now and work can once again commence.

On the north side of Teaster, across the street from Riverwalk, the Pigeon Forge Village is planned. This project is an estimated $525 million development on 110 acres. The plans here are for condos, a water park, retail shops, restaurants resort lodges and entertainment venues.

The two different projects will employ about 3,400 people and generate more than $40 million a year in annual tax revenues. It is an interesting fact that Pigeon Forge is home to 5,400 residences and already the various attractions, hotels, motels and resorts are having to “import” employees to staff their businesses!