Town to surpass 50,000 residents this year | Collierville Independent

Special to The Independent

Collierville is busy building the infrastructure to meet future demands. With the recent news of a record month of home sales in August, beating all other municipalities in the county, the town is working on multiple projects to meet the needs of an expanding population.

Current construction on Byhalia Road at Collierville Road and Shelby Drive was vital to alleviate the traffic congestion in the area. Upon completion in 2016, residents will experience easier access to more areas of Collierville, as well as Interstate 385. The expansion from a two-lane road will also draw commercial businesses .

“The wider road is much more attractive to shopping and retail business,” explained Jamie Groce, town planner. “This also benefits nearby residents with amenities closer to their neighborhoods.”

The Byhalia Road widening will also benefit residents traveling to the area, especially those visiting or attending the new Collierville High School. The 150-acre site at Shelby Drive and Sycamore Road will accommodate 3,000 students.

“The new Collierville High School facility, slated to open in the fall of 2018, will offer all of the students and citizens of Collierville a state of the art campus that will serve as the centerpiece of school and Town events for many years,” commented John Aitken, Collierville Schools superintendent.

Growth does not stop at the high school, but will continue to the corner of Holmes and Fleming Road, where Hinton Park will open late this fall.

Described as a “destination park,” Hinton Park will be home to a 5-acre fishing lake, three miles of trails, boardwalks and wetlands, a large multi-purpose turf field, an eight-acre picnic area shaded by giant Oak trees, two playgrounds, a nine-hole disc golf course and a performance lawn. Similar to the large expanse of land like the parks, W.C. Johnson and Cox, Hinton Park will be spread out among the natural setting of open spaces and indigenous Oak trees.

“Hinton Park will not only draw Collierville citizens and tourists, but will be a heart of the community for outdoor activities.” said Jamie Groce. “For the surrounding neighborhoods, it will be the first park in the area and will raise their property values.”

Town developers estimate that Collierville will surpass 50,000 residents by the end of the year.

With the continued, steady growth in population, and the improvements to Byhalia Road, construction of the new Collierville High School and opening of Hinton Park, this area of Collierville is well positioned to meet the needs of residential and retail growth opportunities that are sure to come.