Iconic Franklin Water Tower Imperiled

FRANKLIN, TN — The owner of The Factory at Franklin wants to tear down the signature water tower at the historic site, according to documents submitted to the city.

"Demolition of obsolete infrastructure" was all the application said, the first step in the razing of a landmark that, since the rehabilitation of the 87-year-old factory, has become a symbol of sorts for the entire city. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

The Factory itself is on the National Register of Historic Places and the water tower is considered one of six contributing structures to that designation. The city's Historic Zoning Commission deferred action on the request at its June meeting, according to The Tennessean, and city staff has recommended its rejection.

"We’ve been communicating a lot with the applicant at The Factory," City of Franklin preservation planner Amanda Rose told The Tennessean. "Staff recommended it not be approved, based on the significance and The Factory. It was constructed 87 years ago, and the tower is one of six contributing structures. It’s historically significant, and I strongly believe that if the commission were to consider it, it would be need to be more than four words."

Neither representatives for Brad Kelly — the Factory's billionaire owner and one of America's largest private landowners — nor his legal team responded to the newspaper's request for comment.

But plenty of other people had lots to say. The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County told The Tennessean it was "alarmed" by the move, which could jeopardize its NRHP listing. Matt Largen, president and CEO of Williamson Inc., the county's economic development group, concurred on Twitter.

The next step is for Factory reps to sit down for an open discussion with Franklin's Design Review Committee. No date has been set for that meeting.

Image via Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau