Architect Kevin Jones presents two schemes for Town of Tazewell’s Ramey Lot; council favors sports-oriented layout

Architect Kevin Jones presented two schematic designs for redeveloping the six-acre Ramey Lot in the Town of Tazewell at a joint Industrial Development Authority and town council meeting Wednesday, May 13.

Jones said the downtown site is currently "basically 6 acres of solid surface asphalt and concrete," and that the designs aim to convert much of that hard surface into a multiuse park tentatively called "Gateway Park." He presented Scheme A, which centers on two large multipurpose lawns, a central pavilion for restrooms and concessions, and raised turf to get playing surfaces above base flood elevation. Scheme B breaks the site into a series of smaller rooms and landscape buffers and uses a vertical marker for identity.

The presentation emphasized active and passive uses: walking loops measured at roughly a quarter- and a fifth-of-a-mile for health and wellness, distributed fitness stations, a small inclusive playground and smaller play zones for informal games. Jones also proposed reusing reclaimed material from removed pavement to build sloped seating edges and a planted detention area or "rubble wetland" in the site's low point to improve drainage.

Council and IDA members focused on how the park would meet the town's youth-sports demand and parking needs. One member reported the town recently ran a spring soccer program with "over a 180 kids" using limited existing parking; participants noted that a larger, programmable grass area that can be subdivided into age-appropriate soccer fields would relieve pressure at Lincolnshire Park. The group discussed whether to include a backstop for coach-pitch or tee-ball practice; several members said multiuse fields that can accommodate both soccer and occasional practice space would be acceptable.

Parking surfaced as a recurring concern. Attendees suggested using existing asphalt for event parking while preserving new soft-surface spaces for everyday use to limit added impervious surface. At the meeting one participant referenced a target of about 130 parking spaces as a starting point for tournament days, and members asked Jones to show parking options that would support simultaneous youth events without permanently breaking up green space.

Members also discussed access: several raised the possibility of reorienting River Drive or adding a connection to McCann Street to improve circulation and potentially increase buildable field area, but both Jones and participants cautioned that moving a public road would require landowner agreements and coordination with the schools or county. Jones asked the group to check property boundaries with officials and neighbors before the design assumes a new road alignment.

On program specifics, Jones asked the council and IDA to identify the number and sizes of fields by age group (for example U5, U8, U15) so he could lay out exact footprints; he said that information would let him determine how many full-size fields or subdivided lawns the site can accommodate. Members signaled a preference to refine Scheme A (the more sports-oriented option) while keeping walking and fitness features and a modest inclusive playground. They also asked to reduce initial pickleball courts from six to four.

Jones summarized next steps: he will compile the feedback, circulate a summary to attendees and produce revised drawings for review in a few weeks. He said the council-level conversation about funding or pursuing construction could occur next month or in early summer, contingent on refining scope, parking solutions and property access. The IDA and council adjourned by voice vote at the end of the meeting.