Franklin Mayor Ken Moore has eye on improving sidewalks, roads and mental health in 2020 – Tennessean

After winning reelection for another term, Mayor Ken Moore said he saw a productive 2020 on the horizon for Franklin.

As of the last city-led census, Franklin had about 80,000 residents, but it will have its national count this upcoming year, which will better address plans for long-range growth.

During the upcoming months, Moore plans to see his mental health initiative roll out along with a number of construction cones pop up for various projects throughout the city.

Here's what he anticipates.

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The city has cut the checks for those affected by the upcoming Franklin Road sidewalk project.

At long last, the Factory will connect to First Avenue in downtown Franklin.Engineers will bid out the $14 million project in the coming year.

"That is a vital connection in our city," he said.

He also expects a property to be purchased for the Columbia Avenue widening project. The project has been in the pipeline for more than a decade.The road will widen from Downs Boulevard to the Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway intersection.

The final design for a roundabout at Liberty Pike and Mallory Lane should also beironed out, Moore said.

Franklin Mayor Ken Moore and his wife, Linda, share early voting numbers with Alderman Margaret Martin in 2017.(Photo: Shelley Mays/The Tennessean )

In 2018, Williamson County saw nearly 450 calls related to mental health needs, including some from people contemplating suicide.

Numbers from 2019 haven't been finalized, but the Franklin Police Department sent out social media messaging with the numberfor the crisis hotline.

"People are hurting. People care. Help is available," the department wrote.

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During the last year, Moore has worked with a task force of experts to address mental health in the community. He noted that while Franklin excels in the state in many areas, mental health issues can't beignored.

"It may mean messaging," Moore said."It could mean a crisis center. It could mean training for people to recognize suicide issues. We are still working on that. I am very excited for what is coming through the whole thing. Its exceeded my expectations."

The mayor plans to roll out the plan in April or May.

During the upcoming legislative session, Moore said he will meet with the Williamson County delegation.

Those conversations will include expanding the Franklin Columbia State Community College campus off Liberty Pike.

"I want to see a fourth building there," Moore said.

The Franklin campus reopened at its new location in the summer of 2016.

Reach Emily West aterwest@tennessean.comor615-613-1380 and on Twitter at @emwest22.

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Franklin Mayor Ken Moore has eye on improving sidewalks, roads and mental health in 2020 - Tennessean