by Tim Wetzel
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Business leaders are hoping new investment and a new name will help revitalize the area around Hickory Hollow Mall. Signs in the neighborhood will soon go up calling the community "The Crossings".
"The transition has happened," said Ben Freeland of Freeland Chevrolet. "We are transitioning from a retail focused community to a more mixed use community."
The former Dillard's store at the Hickory Hollow mall will soon be a campus for Nashville State Community College. An old JC Penney's will house a new Metro library and recreation center. And healthcare giant HCA plans to build a multi-million dollar data center nearby that'll employee around 70 people.
"You are seeing a lot of excitement around the Hickory Hollow area," said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. "This is by far the fastest growing area in the city."
Small business owners and employees are eager for change.
"Since the mall died down, a lot of traffic is leaving the area," said barber William Jones. "Walk-in is traffic is down, everything is dying down." He has seen his customers and business drop in recent years.
"Hopefully 'The Crossings' will bring a different look to this area," said Jones.
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