Interview with Donna McInturff
The conversation with Donna McInturff revolved
primarily around the Rediscover Greeneville project as a whole. She
mentioned the history of downtown as being of primary importance during
the renovation project. She also mentioned focusing the tourist
industry more toward recognizing the historical aspect of Andrew Johnson as the 17th President of the United States.
During the course of the conversation, the expansion of Greene County was also discussed. The majority of the people that we've talked to
mentioned the agricultural industry as being of prime importance to the
economy of the city and county, and several expressed an interest in
expanding the county toward Johnson City.
Donna was no different, in expressing a keen interest in expanding not
upward, as many cities of similar size have done, but outward toward Johnson City.
The conversation then returned to the renovation project, and Donna was
asked what things in particular she'd like to see. She expressed a keen
interest in "livening up" the downtown area, and expressed interest in
particularly revitalizing the "night life" aspect of downtown. In
specific she mentioned "live music and bars" and expressed an interest
in renovating and utilizing the Capitol Theatre more. She cited the
number of people that are attracted to downtown when there are things
to do at night. One thing that she mentioned in regards
to new business, however, was that whatever businesses were attracted downtown must
"also be a part of the history, they must share it."
(Photos posted in the Tannery.)
