Bartlett, Tennessee

Blending Small-Town Charm with Big-City Opportunities

Preparing for future growth with innovative developments, robust education programs, and a community-focused vision.

Bartlett, Tennessee, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and urban opportunities. As Mayor David Parsons explains, “We’re centrally located in Shelby County and are the largest municipality outside of Memphis. We began as an old railroad town, originally named Union Depot, before becoming Bartlett.” This rich history forms the bedrock of the community’s pride, encapsulated in their motto, “Hometown Proud.”

“People often describe Bartlett as having a small-town feel with big-city opportunities,” Mayor Parsons continues. This duality is evident in the amenities Bartlett offers. Despite its modest size, the town boasts police and fire departments, ambulances, and an impressive array of parks—29 in total. These parks are more than just green spaces; they are integral to the community’s quality of life, emphasizing how the town maintains a balance between growth and a close-knit community atmosphere.

Living in Bartlett means enjoying the best of both worlds. Mayor Parsons elaborates, “You can still get employment in the big towns and enjoy amenities they bring, such as the Liberty Bowl and Beale Street, but come home to a tranquil, safe community.” A strong sense of heritage and community complements this tranquility. “You go to church on Sundays, and you’re sitting beside neighbors who have raised their families here,” he adds. This tight-knit atmosphere and modern conveniences make Bartlett an ideal place to live and raise a family.

Bartlett’s Educational Achievements

Education is a cornerstone of Bartlett, and Mayor Parsons eagerly highlights the town’s achievements in this area. “We were part of the Shelby County school system for a long time. This is our 10th anniversary of having our municipal school system,” he remarks. Establishing control over local education has allowed Bartlett to shape its future more directly.

“You can’t talk about true quality of life without mentioning schools,” he asserts. Bartlett High School, a historical fixture in the community, symbolizes this. The school has been a cornerstone since the city’s early days, serving around 9,000 students across 11 buildings. As the mayor notes, this local control is crucial: “We have a hands-on approach to what we want the product to be in the future.”

One key to Bartlett’s educational success has been hiring exemplary leadership. Mayor Parsons speaks highly of Dr. David Stephens, the Superintendent of Bartlett City Schools. “One of the first things we had to do was to elect a school board and then hire the right person to lead and guide that ship,” he says. This leadership is instrumental as the community prepares for significant investments, such as the nearly $6 billion in Blue Oval City, just 25 minutes away.

Mayor Parsons also emphasizes the interconnectedness of education and the local economy. “People seeking employment at Blue Oval City, Ford’s latest creation, are looking for a safe city with a good school system,” he explains. Bartlett’s school programs are designed to meet these expectations. The town’s approach includes initiatives like the high school internship program, which started in his second year as mayor. This summer program places six to eight students in hands-on roles within the fire department, code enforcement, planning, performing arts, parks and public relations sectors, providing real-world experience.

Bridging Schools and Industry

Dr. Stephens emphasizes a balanced educational approach tailored to the diverse future paths of students. “We know many of our students will go on to a four-year university, but we also know many of them will go straight from Bartlett High School into the workforce,” he says. This awareness has driven the creation of 17 career technical education (CTE) pathways, ranging from advanced manufacturing and coding to cybersecurity, digital design, health sciences, mechatronics, transportation, and culinary arts.

“We want to ensure our students have a wide array of opportunities,” Dr. Stephens asserts. The district also offers 17 Advanced Placement and Honors courses and 13 dual credit enrollment courses, enabling students to earn college credits from institutions like the University of Memphis and Southwest Tennessee Community College. Collaboration with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology is also key for those pursuing technical careers.

Bartlett’s proximity to major industrial hubs has spurred innovative educational programs. When Ford announced its Blue Oval City project near Bartlett, the school district responded proactively. “We’ve been to Dearborn, Michigan to understand what Ford needs and have aligned our curriculum accordingly,” Dr. Stephens explains. This alignment ensures students are well-prepared for careers right after high school, whether at Medtronic, Titan Medical, Engineered Medical Systems, or similar companies.

“Our students in the advanced manufacturing program use the same machinery found in the industry,” says Stephens. They gain hands-on experience with Haas CNC machines in a replica clean room, making them job-ready upon graduation. These students can earn college credits while still in high school and transition smoothly into well-paying jobs, further solidifying their roots in the Bartlett community.

Collaboration extends beyond manufacturing. “Our nursing students have great opportunities at Saint Francis Hospital,” Dr. Stephens points out while highlighting successful externships for faculty at major companies like FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper. This exposure starts as early as junior high, helping students discover their interests and potential career paths before they reach high school. In addition, Bartlett’s partnership with Steve Wozniak’s Woz Ed STEM Pathway District supports this early exposure even in their elementary schools.

Bartlett’s Development and Innovation

Mayor Parsons discusses Bartlett’s approach to development and infrastructure, including one of the town’s most significant mixed-use projects. As he details, this project includes single-family homes, condos, commercial space, and lofts. However, infrastructure challenges like the sewer system have posed difficulties.

“We’ve looked at ways and resources to fund those and identify those problems,” he says, expressing optimism about Bartlett’s bright future. The town’s proactive stance is further evidenced by establishing an industrial development park in the 1980s, which now houses numerous job opportunities.

With the recent annexation of about 350 acres in the northwest sector, Innovation Park, Bartlett continues to prepare for future growth. With the potential to expand by another 600 acres, this area is poised to attract technical and automotive robotics jobs, diversifying employment opportunities. “We’re trying to prepare for the future to ensure continued job growth in Bartlett,” Mayor Parsons emphasizes.

Moreover, Bartlett contributes significantly to Shelby County’s GDP, with an impact of almost $8.3 billion. “We have a good workforce in this community,” he notes, highlighting the diverse mix of white-collar and blue-collar jobs. This economic strength underpins Bartlett’s strategy to evolve its infrastructure and community services to meet modern demands.

Union Depot Clubhouse Rendering

Union Depot: Bartlett’s Centerpiece

Keith Grant, a real estate developer with deep roots in the Bartlett community, shares insights into the transformative Union Depot project. This mixed-use development signifies a pivotal moment in Bartlett’s growth, reflecting the town’s rich history and forward-looking vision.

“Our family’s been building in the Bartlett community for over 50 years,” he states proudly. This long-standing presence has given them a unique perspective on the town’s evolution from a small community to the vibrant place it is today. “We have a mixture of blue-collar and white-collar workers, but you just have an outstanding community feel when you’re in Bartlett,” he adds, highlighting the town’s inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.

Keith explains that the Union Depot project is a $160 million development incorporating various residential and commercial spaces. “When we had the opportunity to acquire the property where Union Depot is today, we jumped at it,” he says. With the foresight of Bartlett’s leadership, a special mixed-use permit was explicitly developed for this property, allowing a blend of commercial spaces with lofts, flats, townhomes, and patio homes.

The construction timeline for Union Depot is ambitious yet transparent. “We’ll have tenants starting to move in there in December of this year,” Keith outlines. Townhomes will be available for sale starting in January next year, with construction beginning simultaneously. The single-family home subdivision is also progressing, with homes expected to start construction in April next year.

Bartlett’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Mayor Parsons then illuminates Bartlett’s strategic efforts to improve its parks and recreation facilities, emphasizing how the town is enhancing residents’ quality of life. Although Bartlett boasts 29 parks, including W.J. Freeman Park, the largest at approximately 85 acres, Mayor Parsons notes a growing desire among residents for more amenities closer to their homes.

The town introduced the innovative “Rec Rover” program to address this. “Instead of having to go to our main park, we bring activities to local community parks,” he says. This program features inflatable slides, bounce houses, and plans for fitness classes, making recreational activities more accessible to residents.

Residents also expressed a desire for more outdoor experiences. Responding to this, Bartlett launched Food Truck Fridays and Bartlett LIVE. “We had a large turnout for our last Food Truck Friday,” Mayor Parsons reveals, describing the scene of families enjoying food and community spirit. Bartlett LIVE, featuring local bands and food trucks on Saturday nights, further enriches the town’s social offerings. “Residents have the option to either bring their own meal or purchase from food trucks while enjoying live music, all at no cost,” he adds.

Adapting to changing recreational trends is another focus of the master plan. “Tennis courts are not being used as much; pickleball is very hot right now,” the mayor observes. The town is modifying existing tennis courts to accommodate pickleball, reflecting the evolving interests of the community. Upgrading playgrounds to be accessible for children with diverse needs is also a priority.

Preparing for Growth and Opportunity

As 2024 enters the year’s second half, Mayor Parsons outlines Bartlett’s top priorities for the next 18 months, including the town’s proactive approach to meeting the demands of impending economic developments.

“Our top priority is meeting the housing demands that the new Blue Oval City Ford plant will create,” Mayor Parsons asserts. Blue Oval is set to begin rolling out all-electric F-150 vehicles by late next year, and the influx of workers will necessitate expanded housing, dining, and lodging options. “We’ve been to Dearborn multiple times, always asking, ‘What can we do to assist you?’ Their response is consistently threefold: housing, restaurants, and hotels,” he explains.

To facilitate this growth, Bartlett has identified and is preparing large areas for residential development. “We’ve lowered many of our impact and development fees to encourage growth,” he notes. The town also focuses on enhancing its sewer infrastructure, particularly in the industrial park area. “We’ve poured money and resources into studies to ensure we can provide essential services like sewer systems,” he adds, highlighting the often overlooked but critical aspects of urban planning.

In addition to housing and infrastructure, Bartlett is targeting commercial growth. “We’re trying to attract different grocery chains and businesses,” Mayor Parsons says, pointing out that they have already identified about 400 acres for potential development. Collaborating closely with developers, the town aims to stay ahead of the curve in providing necessary infrastructure and support. “We’ve had some Fortune 500 companies showing interest,” he reveals.

Mayor Parsons highlights how the town works with prospective businesses, citing efforts to bring in significant retailers like Hy-Vee. “We have big ideas and places for many of those things to come in,” he says. Bartlett aims to be the most cooperative and forward-thinking town in West Tennessee, ready to meet new businesses’ objectives and ensure its residents’ thriving future. “They will not find another town in West Tennessee that will work with them, try to meet their objectives, and provide the city services like Bartlett, Tennessee does,” the mayor concludes.

AT A GLANCE

Bartlett, Tennessee

What: A thriving community focused on balanced growth, education, and innovative developments

Where: Shelby County, Tennessee

Website: https://www.cityofbartlett.org/