Posted: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 9:23 pm

DIGGING IN AT DPA — Robert Kirkland (left) and Greg Hnedak look over preliminary drawings on display at Monday’s local planning session with Discovery Park of America volunteers who will be working with the project’s botanical garden and Yesteryear Village components of the project. Hnedak is the Hnedak Bobo Group principal and was recently selected as the master planner for the multi-million dollar project the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation is supporting in Union City. The Hnedak Bobo Group is assuming responsibility for all phases of the project except the museum building. An architect for that structure will be chosen over the next few weeks from 71 firms that have expressed an interest during the summer. The list has been narrowed to 13 firms, including several from Tennessee. The multi-million dollar project is expected to begin to take shape very soon on the 50-acre plot located between Everett Boulevard and the proposed I-69 highway, across the road from Union City Second Baptist Church. All work on the project will be completely new and will not rely on any previously proposed plans. The project was put on hold earlier this year because of a contract dispute with the original architect, but the foundation is now moving ahead to realize the Kirklands’ dream of an educational and entertainment venue that will dramatically and positively affect the lives of all who visit it.
Published in The Messenger 9.15.09