There is no doubt that Clarksville-Montgomery County has seen remarkable business and population growth in recent years. In the Historic Downtown District – first laid out in 1784 homegrown revitalization efforts have led the way to a budding Downtown renaissance. One group in particular, Millan Enterprises LLC has played a leading role by purchasing and rejuvenating several prominent buildings within the CBID (Central Business Improvement District).
“For your forward-looking and wide-ranging efforts in the heart of Clarksville-Montgomery County, the CBID Planning & Development Committee of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council celebrate owners Lillie and Leo Millan and the entire Millan team by presenting you with the first CBID Redevelopment Recognition,” said Daniel Binkley, chair of the P&D Committee. “Millan Enterprises has consistently demonstrated desire and ingenuity in leading our community to the next level with every project it has undertaken.”
In the last 10 years, the landscape of Downtown Clarksville has transformed dramatically, especially with the addition of three publicly funded initiatives:
- The installation of gigabit speed fiber optic internet service to every address within the CBID by CDE Lightband.
- Construction of the Downtown Commons, a full city block of outdoor activity, events and concert space … with underwriting provided by the county and city governments.
- Ground-breaking of a 250,000 square foot Multi-Purpose Events Center with up to $130 million in funding by Montgomery County government, along with a management partnership with the NHL Nashville Predators and primary tenant agreement with Austin Peay State University.
These investments in the future of Clarksville’s Downtown District – which overlooks the scenic Cumberland River will spur additional private investment projects in the CBID for years to come.
Multiple local entrepreneurs have also invested in Clarksville’s Downtown in recent years, setting a trend of bold initiatives cultivating a contemporary redevelopment mindset within Tennessee’s youngest median age county (only 30.5 years old). However, in Clarksville Lillie and Leo Millan are that power duo with the bravest of ambitions to make innovative projects come to fruition and literally build for the community’s future.
As Tennessee’s fifth largest city, the citizens of this rising and dynamic community are responding to fresh and exciting experiences. As many developers have been on the sidelines waiting for pre-Covid “normalcy” to return, the Millan team has viewed recent times as an opportunity to be at the forefront of Downtown’s next phase of demand for commercial space.
Three flagship examples of Millan Enterprises’ investment in Downtown Clarksville include:
- Millan Enterprises (former Regions Bank Building - 128 North 2nd Street) – Constructed in 1955 and acquired by Millan Enterprises in 2016, this structure has evolved from a 45,000 sq. ft. single-occupant building to now having 30 tenants with office spaces ranging from 400 to 4,000 sq. ft. complete with new finishes and technology improvements. There are approximately 185-200 employees of the various tenants with secure access to the building.
- First Horizon Bank Building (25 Jefferson Street) – This approx. 40,000 sq. ft. office building with four levels – completed in 1998 – has undergone considerable improvements since Millan Enterprises acquired it in 2020 … and has nearly tripled its tenants.
- The PRESS and Tennessee 19th Judicial District Attorneys General Office (200 Commerce Street) – The Millan Team’s most dramatic Downtown District transformation to date is certainly the previous Leaf-Chronicle Building. The approx. 48,400 sq. ft. structure was essentially rebuilt by the publishing company following the devastating 1999 tornado. A portion of the ground floor was renovated by a previous building owner for District Attorney offices. Since being acquired by Millan Enterprises in 2018, the remainder of the building – now named “The PRESS” – began undergoing a phased renovation and total makeover. It is morphing from a multi-newspaper editorial and production facility into an industrial chic co-working and hybrid office space – prime for next generation entrepreneurs to create and collaborate. The space is accessible 24/7 and features a lounge, kitchenette, common areas, shared conference rooms and reserved parking … with a planned 15,000 square foot co-working space in the works. When complete, the building will accommodate approximately 100 individuals.
With the efforts of entrepreneurs and developers with similar vision and drive as the Millans, Downtown Clarksville is destined for a vibrant and revolutionary new chapter in its long and storied history.
About the CBID Redevelopment Recognition Program: In 2021, the CBID Planning & Development Committee established a sub-committee to initiate and carry forward a bi-annual CBID Redevelopment Recognition Program to celebrate the efforts of developers making a significant impact in Clarksville’s Central Business Improvement District.