Inside Jonesborough's building boom: Town administrator talks growth

Steady construction across Jonesborough is reshaping where people live, work and travel as town leaders navigate rapid residential and commercial growth. Recent approvals and ongoing projects show single family homes driving most new development inside town limits, followed by townhomes and then commercial construction, according to Town Administrator Glenn Rosenoff. That growth is not centered in one spot, Rosenoff said, but instead spreads outward from historic downtown Jonesborough. "Residential growth is occurring primarily to the east, west and north," Rosenoff said. "Commercial growth is concentrated along the Highway 11E corridor on the east and west sides. Downtown has added new businesses and has a very low vacancy rate, with even current vacant spaces having prospective tenants." The pace of construction has also increased in recent years. Between 2023 and 2025, there was a grand total of 289 building permits issued for single-family, town home and multi-family residences, according to Rosenoff. As more homes and businesses come online, town leaders are focused on whether existing infrastructure can keep up. Rosenoff said water, sewer and road systems are under particular pressure as costs continue to rise. "With the rising costs of maintaining and improving our water and sewer systems and road network, Jonesborough is actively finding ways to raise revenues to sustain our infrastructure," he said. Rosenoff said the town has already taken steps to address those costs. "The town recognizes the challenges of our unprecedented growth, the rising costs of maintaining and improving infrastructure, and is therefore exploring ways to raise revenue streams to sustain and improve our water, sewer and road systems. Increases in water and sewer rates, water and sewer permits and development review fees were approved last year." Road maintenance and traffic impacts are also part of that discussion. Rosenoff said development places additional strain on transportation systems, which prompted town leaders to pursue new funding tools. "With the rising costs of maintaining and improving our road system, and recognizing the impact development has on our roads, Mayor Kelly Wolfe initiated a resolution that was passed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen seeking authorization from the Tennessee Legislature for Jonesborough to adopt impact fees," he said. "The impact fees will ensure that new development helps pay for the added strain it places on transportation infrastructure." Alongside funding changes, several major infrastructure projects are already underway. Rosenoff said the town is investing heavily in long term water and sewer improvements. "A new water treatment plant is entering construction and is designed to meet projected needs for the next 30 years," he said He said additional projects will help move water more efficiently and modernize aging systems. "A major new transmission line has been designed and will be constructed soon which will improve water movement across long distances. "Sewer initiatives include ongoing Cured-In-Place-Pipe (CIPP) rehabilitation of aging pipes using a trenchless method to repair underground sewer pipes without excavation," he said, adding, "There are current construction activities to replace the A1 Sewer Pump Station with a gravity main to reduce long term maintenance costs and improve sewer services." Rosenoff said traffic and pedestrian safety projects are also part of the growth response, particularly along busy corridors. "A traffic study is nearly concluded for Highway 11E, with planned upgrades allowing traffic signals to communicate by radio technology," he said. Beyond vehicles, the town is also looking at how people move on foot and by bike. "The town continues evaluating and addressing congestion and speeding issues across multiple roads," he said. "Expanding town sidewalks and trails continues at a record pace, and is aimed to support walkability and reduce short trip vehicle use." Looking ahead, Rosenoff said communication will be one of the town's biggest challenges as growth continues. "The biggest challenges when faced with growth are maintaining a proactive approach to customer service rather than reactive," he said. "The methods in which we communicate with the public are of vital importance with a concentration on communications and follow-up." Rosenoff said growth also brings opportunities that extend beyond construction itself. "The opportunities for growth are a stronger local economy, increased sales tax revenues, opportunities for local entrepreneurs and ultimately strengthening the economic base and attracting investment," Rosenoff said. Rosenoff said residents sometimes do not see the full planning process that happens before projects are approved. "We are working on more information about different planning processes like subdivision plans, residential and commercial site plans, beautification efforts, etc.," he said. "Something like a 'How Planning Works' page about zoning subdivision review, public hearings approvals, etc. or a 'What's happening' to summarize projects." He said the town is also considering new ways to share that information. "Using our strong partnerships with community groups to reach residents is being explored," Rosenoff said, "including brief presentations either at a public meeting, YouTube videos or social media."