Times are a-changin’ in Germantown

The face of Germantown is changing with a mixture of education needs, the desire for commercial and office expansion in certain areas and how all of that coincides with a shifting demographic.

Young families are seeking Germantown neighborhoods – as they are in other suburbs – for the usual drawing card ... Schools. That leads to new residents taking the place of older, long-established homeowners in Germantown. A different demographic looking for different directions. Different needs

The shift is cyclical for many suburbs as they grow with people looking for amenities smaller governments can not only provide, but oversee more closely.

I’m reminded of the mid-1980s in Germantown. An influx of Memphis residents was headed to the closest suburb east of the big city. Families seeking new homes on the suburb’s west side in neighborhoods like Poplar Estates.

Those new residents were unaware that there was a pecking order for mayor. That Boyd Arthur was supposed to be mayor because, well, that's the way things lined up. And, Arthur was already in the office after serving 16 years as alderman.

The new residents then, like today, also believed they were ignored by those in power. That their voice on issues didn’t matter. The city fathers knew what was best for them. After all, Germantown's character and its reputation drew the new residents in the first place.

The new folks showed the establishment they were a force to which the leaders should have paid attention. The outsiders put attorney Warner “Rusty” Hodges against Arthur in 1986, and Hodges won, along with Charles Salvaggio defeating longtime alderman Jay Kahn.

I have often quoted Arthur from that night: ''I think it's the mood of the city to throw the old rascals out,'' he said in November 1986. ''I think most people feel that 20 years is long enough in government, and I don't disagree with that one bit.''

At that point, a transition to new residents was underway. While Hodges didn’t last in the mayor’s role because of questions about his leadership, the stage was set for Salvaggio to inherit the office when Hodges resigned. That also coincided with more new board members, including Salvaggio's neighbor Bob Parrish, moving into an alderman's seat.

The old guard transitioning to the young bucks.

I’m not necessarily saying Germantown is on the verge of such a turnover. But there are a number of new residents that – while they like the suburb and many aspects of it – have different needs.

So, we reach the balancing act again. Germantown’s reputation for its quality of life, public safety, parks and future planning is well-earned. The move to create commercial nodes to offset a heavy reliance on a residential tax base is helping defeat the pessimistic view from years ago that the suburb could never make it on almost an

exclusive residential backdrop. It's new school system is growing. Oversight of financial needs earns the city the highest rating available from two major bond rating companies.

The best answer to all of this could be use a bit of the ingredients from both groups and mix well. LAKELAND Back Home to MIZZOU: Commissioner Sherri Gallick announced last week that her husband, Randy, has accepted a job in Missouri.

And, as we have mentioned before in similar situations, it is difficult to be a local representative if you move out of town. Well, that, and it is not really allowed.

It’s hard to believe out of all the states the Gallicks could have landed, they ended up back in Mizzou. Gallick not only served as president of theUniversity of Missouri Alumni Association, but she is a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan. Heck fire. Dig deep enough, there could even be a picture of her days as a Chiefs cheerleader. (Yes, it does exist.)

Anyway, as for now, Gallick has not submitted her resignation. She will stay in town until the couple’s house is sold.

Once the vacancy is declared, City Manager Jim Atkinson said, the city’s procedures call for the Board of Commissioners to appoint someone to fill the remainder of Gallick’s term, which runs until November, 2018.

“In the past, the BOC has accepted applications from interested individuals, interviewed each candidate, and voted to appoint,” Atkinson said. “The last time this happened was when Dr. (Gerritt) Verschuur resigned (in 2013) and was appointed.” CORDOVA Planned Developments: A couple of high-profile vacant tracts in the south part of Cordova are making their way through the Memphis review process.

Two parcels empty for longer than expected.

The first is a tract on the northeast corner of Forest Hill-Irene and Walnut Grove, across the street to the east from Walgreens. The 8.7-acre site actually received approval for a planned development in 2004, but it expired after five years because nothing happened on the property.

The developer – Boyle Investment – is asking for reinstatement of the same planned development as previously approved, which allows for office and limited retail.

In an Oct. 25 meeting with neighbors, the applicants said the factor ultimately driving this effort was Boyle has a pending contract to sell the south end of the site to the Goddard School – an early childhood learning center, which already has a location in Collierville.

The plan shows two tracts for other entities.

The second location is on the east side of Germantown Parkway across from the Butcher Shop/ Showplace Arena/Agricenter. The suggested development covers about 5.7 acres nestled between a couple of office spots.

Over the years, the property has been suggested for several different plans. Seems like at least one involved a hotel.

There weren’t as many details released on the development. Plans show four sections – three fronting on Germantown Parkway and a longer section stretching across the back or eastern side.

The three across the front reflect buildings about 3,670 square feet, while a 12,300-square-foot structure is shown on the fourth site.

I wonder if something like a Krystal (the burger spot; not the novelty shop farther north on the parkway) would work there?

Both plans received approval from the Land Use Control Board in November and are slated for Tuesday’s City Council meeting for consideration.