A Private Looks at GM/ Saturn

[Jubilo]

GM is closing Saturn and I wonder if this presents an oportunity for preservation in the Spring Hill , TN area. Without Saturn the local economy must suffer . .. any thoughts, comrades?
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

[Busterbuttonboy]

David
If I recall the Saturn plant was constructed on part of the battlefield. That being said it illustrates exactly the point trying to be made in the Williamsburg post. Its not a infringement of private property rights to offer a "transfer of development rights" to another piece of property instead of pursuing the development on the significant lot. Or focus the development on an area of lesser significance within the original lot. Businesses are renewable resources, battlefields are not. Planners, our reenacting community, and private property owners have alot to gain from the preservation of open space.

That being said it would make sense to push a preservation plan in a declining economy. Service based industry usually makes employment transitions easy and sets up a infrastructure to bring industries back into town. Lastly open space (in our case battlefields) preserves land values, and makes the community more attractive for redevelopment.

Most Respectfully
Drew A. Gruber

[OVI]

IIRC, the Saturn plant itself was not constructed on "battlefield" land at Spring Hill. In fact, considering that there was a limited amount of actual fighting at SH, the preservation issues there relate to the Rippavilla mansion and the surrounding lands. The CWPT purchased a section of land back in 1995 where fighting occurred. Unfortunately the frontage from the Columbia Pike could not be secured and has now been lost to development. Part of the last NSA reenactment of Franklin a few years back was on this land. Saturn in its day was a relatively good preservation partner but the ensuing growth adjoining their property and Rippaville is what has caused the problem. And now with the decline and impending closure of Saturn, it remains to be seen what will unfold. The real opportunity to correctly preserve and interpret SH were lost in the last 10 years.

Kent Dorr - Ohio
"Devils Own Mess"