MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) — Though Golden Bear Gateway brings retail, restaurants and more to the Providence area of Mt. Juliet, some residents feel like the development doesn't cater to families or an overall sense of community.

Meg Warren, who lives near Golden Bear Gateway with a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, said some of the amenities planned for the project are not appropriate for her family. The area features everything from warehouse stores to some restaurants and retail.

Warren told News 2 she had hoped for greenspaces and a town square with a fountain area for kids to enjoy. However, she said leadership missed the mark when it comes to creating family-focused, community amenities.

"It's not easy to make a community here," Warren says. "There's no town center. There are these pieces that give a town its identity and I just don't know why we don't have that here. It feels like a commuter town," Warren said. "It feels like you come here, you stay here for a night, and you keep going to your own destination. And I hate that because the best thing about Mt. Juliet is the people."

While Warren said she thought the original intentions for Golden Bear Gateway were promising, she added that the city could include greenspaces to better cater to the demographic of young parents and families like her own. 

Mt. Juliet City Commissioner Scott Hefner told News 2 that some of the retail spaces in the area, like a bowling alley, are meant to be family-friendly. Additionally, the city is looking to create a five-acre park on Golden Bear Gateway. An aquatic center will also be coming to the area, which Hefner said could be enjoyed by all.

"Overall, I think the city is doing a good job — especially with that corridor out there," Hefner said.

Hefner said that along with the existing warehouse store there, other new developments surrounding the Golden Bear Gateway are potentially in the works.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/golden-bear-gateway-community/