Building a Complete Community

How smart planning and strategic development are transforming this Tennessee city

Fifteen miles southeast of Nashville, a transformation is underway. Once a quiet bedroom community, La Vergne now hums with construction activity as new neighborhoods rise, and retail centers take shape. This northern Rutherford County city, relatively unknown to many Tennesseans just two decades ago, has quietly become one of the state’s fastest-growing municipalities, adding over 19,000 residents since 2000 and stretching the seams of its 25-square-mile footprint.

“We’re definitely growing,” says Mayor Jason Cole. “Within just three miles of city limits, we have over 11,000 homes being built. We recently opened the first store in our new retail development called Uptown La Vergne with an Aldi’s ribbon cutting, and we’re working on a $243 million mixed-use development that will bring an entire shopping area designed as a walkable community for surrounding neighborhoods.”

This rapid expansion reflects La Vergne’s intentional approach to development, focusing on creating integrated spaces that combine housing, retail, dining, and green spaces. The city’s strategic location, just 15 miles southeast of Nashville with access to three major interstates, has made it particularly attractive for businesses and residents. Interstate 24 near the Waldron Road exit sees daily traffic counts exceeding 136,000 vehicles.

Mayor Cole emphasizes that these developments prioritize quality of life for residents. “It’ll have housing, shopping, food, greenways, and opportunities for our residents. We’re creating environments where people can live, work, and enjoy recreational activities without lengthy commutes,” he notes. La Vergne’s growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing, with projections suggesting the population could reach the mid-60,000s within the next decade.

Uptown La Vergne

The centerpiece of La Vergne’s urban renewal strategy is the Uptown La Vergne project, a comprehensive mixed-use development that has quickly become a focal point for economic growth. Positioned strategically within the central part of the city, this development represents a significant shift in the community’s commercial landscape, addressing both aesthetic and functional needs of the growing population.

“Our main street is Murfreesboro Road Highway 41, and it cuts right through from Nashville to our southern municipality, Smyrna. We’re working to both recruit new retail outlets for it as well as clean up and improve our existing businesses along the corridor,” explains Mayor Cole. The initiative represents a balanced approach to development, enhancing existing infrastructure while attracting new investments.

Originally comprising three parcels, Uptown La Vergne has been subdivided into eight distinct development zones. The largest will feature approximately 250 Class A apartment units, addressing the growing housing demand in the Nashville metropolitan area where population has increased by over 110% since 2000. The retail component has already secured several national brands.

“Aldi’s has opened as the anchor grocer. Chipotle and Panda Express have both committed to joining this venture,” Mayor Cole notes. “Chipotle is almost finished being built, and Panda Express is expected to open this fall. We’re also anticipating responses on sit-down restaurants, a possible bank, and a convenience store for the remaining parcels.”

This development addresses a critical economic challenge facing the community: retail leakage. “If I want to buy a brand-new suit or jacket, there’s nowhere in the city to buy that. Our leakage represents several million dollars annually,” Mayor Cole explains. “We’re trying to reverse that trend, grow our sales tax base, and expand opportunities for our residents by bringing in clothing retailers, sit-down restaurants, quality grocers, and similar businesses.”

Infrastructure and Development

While central La Vergne undergoes transformation through the Uptown project, the city’s southern district has emerged as the epicenter of its most dynamic growth. This area is the focus of significant infrastructure investments designed to accommodate the influx of new residents and businesses.

Transportation improvements form the backbone of this expansion strategy. “Our south side of town is where the bulk of our growth is occurring,” Mayor Cole explains. “We have already approved building a new connector road called Blair West. Once that’s built out, we’ll widen the south portion of Waldron Road from a two-lane to a five-lane road, adding sidewalks, curb, and gutter to help facilitate the growth coming through that area.”

These infrastructure enhancements support the ambitious South Waldron Road development, the second major mixed-use project reshaping La Vergne’s landscape. This initiative, though still in early planning stages, represents a public-private partnership with substantial economic potential.

“The South Waldron Road development is essentially across town from everything else, right in the hotbed of our growth,” Mayor Cole says. “Our industrial development board purchased this land with city funds earmarked for economic development. They’re working with a group called Equitable to develop this mixed-use project.”

The development’s comprehensive scope rivals that of Uptown La Vergne but with a broader housing mix. “It will have single-family homes, town homes, apartments, and lofts. They’re planning for sit-down restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and a grocer,” notes Mayor Cole.

The strategic location positions this development to capitalize on local and regional traffic patterns. This area’s transformation reflects La Vergne’s broader economic development strategy of creating integrated communities where residents can live, work, and access amenities without extensive commuting, a model increasingly favored in fast-growing suburban communities nationwide.

Housing and Zoning

La Vergne’s approach to residential development points to a strategic balance between growth management and housing diversity. As the city’s population continues to surge, having increased by over 110% since 2000, officials are implementing comprehensive zoning updates to ensure sustainable expansion while maintaining community character.

“We’re currently working through our zoning ordinance update, which is expected to be voted out of the planning commission next month and reviewed by our board of mayor and aldermen this summer,” says Mayor Cole. “It updates our zoning ordinance and zoning map to align with the current vision for the city, determining where there will be high-density areas versus lower-density homes.”

This planning process is particularly significant given La Vergne’s housing market dynamics. The city hosts Lake Forest Estates, Tennessee’s largest subdivision with over 3,100 homes. Recent data indicates that 42.3% of La Vergne’s total housing units were built after 2000, highlighting the city’s relatively new housing stock compared to many surrounding communities.

Mayor Cole emphasizes that La Vergne has intentionally cultivated residential diversity. “We’re a pretty good cross-section right now. We have single-family homes, large-tract homes, some apartment complexes, and townhomes,” he notes. This variety supports the city’s socioeconomic diversity, with housing options spanning multiple price points and lifestyles.

The updated zoning plan aims to accommodate projected growth while preserving neighborhood integrity. Demographic trends suggest this approach is well-timed—the median age of La Vergne residents is just 32.3 years, significantly younger than the national average, indicating a population likely to form new households in coming years.

With a homeownership rate of 70.6% (higher than the national average of 65%) and a median home value of approximately $308,900 (below the national median), La Vergne is an attainable market for first-time buyers while still offering upscale options. This balanced housing ecosystem supports the city’s economic development goals by providing workforce housing near employment centers, reducing commute times and enhancing quality of life.

Jobs and Business Recruitment

La Vergne’s economy encompasses a robust industrial and distribution sector that serves as the backbone of local employment. This diversified economic base has helped the city earn recognition as the “Hardest Working City” in Tennessee.

“We’re always looking for jobs for our community,” Mayor Cole emphasizes. “We’ve been working recently with the Tennessee Co-op, which is doing a very large expansion. They’re adding about seven warehouse space units to be leased to different companies, creating new employment opportunities.”

The city has successfully cultivated a strong industrial foundation that combines logistics, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing operations. This diverse business ecosystem provides both blue-collar and white-collar employment options for residents, with the median household income in La Vergne reaching $64,531, approximately $20,000 higher than the Tennessee state average.

“We have a very strong industrial base with both corporate offices and white-collar jobs,” notes Mayor Cole. “You also have medical employers like Cardinal Health. But then you have other opportunities with companies like Blizzard Entertainment, DHL, UPS, Anheuser-Busch, and Scott Equipment.”

Among La Vergne’s most notable employers is Ingram Book Group, which operates one of the largest book distribution facilities in the country. The city also hosts one of two United States printing plants for Lightning Source, serving as the multinational publishing company’s headquarters. Additionally, international companies have recognized La Vergne’s strategic advantages, with Hong Kong-based Sinomax moving into neighboring Metro Nashville investing $28 million to establish its North American manufacturing headquarters in the former Whirlpool plant.

The recent addition of a trade school represents another dimension of the city’s economic development strategy. “During my tenure, a trade school came into our community to help with workforce development,” Mayor Cole says. “That helps provide opportunities for people who may not be seeking college education but want to go straight into a skilled trade. It’s a big initiative that gives people opportunity and hope to change their lives.”

Community Services and Quality of Life

La Vergne’s investment in public amenities and community services enhances quality of life while accommodating rapid growth. The city’s approach balances infrastructure development with recreational and cultural offerings, creating a more complete community ecosystem.

A centerpiece of this strategy is the imminent opening of the new public works and community services facility, a $28 million investment that centralizes municipal operations. “We purchased the land when I initially came in as mayor, and we’ve been building it over the last few years,” Mayor Cole explains. “It will house most of our city offices when it opens.”

This administrative consolidation complements the city’s well-established parks system, anchored by Veterans Memorial Park, regarded as one of Rutherford County’s premier recreational facilities. The park hosts various community gatherings including the annual Fall Festival, which features a parade, craft vendors, food, and live music performances.

“We have probably one of the best parks in the county with Veterans Memorial Park when it comes to fields for both football and baseball,” notes Mayor Cole. The city’s recreational diversity is evident in its newest initiative: “We’re partnering with the YMCA for soccer this coming year. We have a large and growing Hispanic population that has been very vocal about wanting a soccer program, so we’re starting that this year.”

Beyond athletic facilities, La Vergne’s Parks and Recreation Department and Public Library serve as cultural anchors, offering year-round programming. “The library has events for everyone from age zero to 99,” Mayor Cole observes. “They have everything from arts and crafts to painting, Lego activities, story times, magicians, and puppet shows.” These varied offerings contribute to La Vergne’s designation as the “19th Safest City” in Tennessee, creating engagement opportunities that strengthen community bonds.

Leadership Philosophy

La Vergne’s trajectory from a small municipality to a regional economic hub comes from strategic planning but also an actionable leadership approach. Mayor Cole’s governance philosophy emphasizes practical problem-solving and citizen engagement, providing insight into how mid-sized cities can navigate rapid growth while maintaining community character.

On his approach to lifelong learning and its application to governance, Mayor Cole acknowledges the continuous educational process inherent in public service. “For anyone to say there’s no lifelong learning, they’re not being genuine because you’re always learning new things,” he observes. “There is a learning curve with this position. When I came in, I felt well-prepared, but there’s still a curve you have to get caught up on.”

This pragmatic perspective informs the city’s long-term planning, particularly as it relates to essential services. Among the mayor’s forward-looking priorities is addressing the police department’s spatial constraints. “This is more of a long-term goal that I’ll probably kick off but most likely hand off to whoever winds up following in my footsteps,” Mayor Cole explains. “We’re going to have to build a new police station. We’ve been in our current one since the 1980s, and we’ve converted every piece of space in that building to offices. We have officers who work out of closets.”

His catalyst for public service reveals a straightforward problem-solving mindset that has guided La Vergne’s development. “This is what got me into politics: if you’ve got enough energy to complain about something, you’ve got enough energy to do something about it,” he states.

This action-oriented approach has positioned La Vergne to leverage its strategic location between Nashville and Murfreesboro while maintaining its distinct identity. With transportation access via three interstate highways, proximity to both Smyrna Airport and Nashville International Airport, and a business-friendly regulatory environment, La Vergne exemplifies how visionary, yet practical leadership can transform suburban communities into economic destinations while preserving quality of life for residents.

AT A GLANCE

Who: La Vergne

What: A rapidly growing suburban city with strategic mixed-use developments and a diverse economic base

Where: Northern Rutherford County, Tennessee

Website: www.lavergnetn.gov