Posted: 5/17/2007
By CAROLE ROBINSON, Staff Writer
During her 11-year term as mayor of Thompson's Station, Cherry Jackson had a vision for the southern Williamson County town even before growth hit that area. Her vision set the wheels in motion that would enable the town to maintain its charm in a fast growing county. It also eventually led to the development of $1 billion of residential real estate, with commercial development right behind.
To honor Jackson's vision and leadership in setting the course, James Carbine and his brother Denzel, developers of the Tollgate Village subdivision, the first community to emerge as part of Jackson's vision, decided to dedicate the community's lake, a centerpiece in Tollgate, to Jackson.
"We wanted to dedicate this lake in honor of Cherry because of her leadership in dealing with the aspects of growth when it was inevitable that it was coming to Thompson's Station," said James. "This is the centerpiece of the community. What better way to honor Cherry, than the lake."
At the dedication of the lake Monday Jackson, a bit overwhelmed, said, "We had a dream and they took a chance on a little bitty place."
Now, after two and half years, there are 25 families living in Tollgate Village, 25 more waiting for their homes to be completed and construction will begin shortly on the first 26,000-square-foot commercial building with space for restaurants, retail and offices, according to James Carbine, chief manager of Tollgate Village.
"Cherry put all the aspects properly in place to make this all happen when it became apparent growth was coming to Thompson's Station," said Carbine.
Waste water, road improvements, density and codes all became issues that had to be dealt with when the sleepy little cross roads town was awakened.
"Her vision of Thompson's Station was not just one of ordinary cookie-cutter homes," Carbine said. "It was of walkable, livable, mixed use communities that embellished timeless architecture. When it became clear growth was coming to Thompson's Station, one person shouldered the responsibility. That was Cherry Jackson. Time will bear out that Cherry truly was a visionary."
