FRANKLIN—Despite Wednesday morning’s cold temperatures, the Downtown Franklin Association broke ground on a project they say will improve Barrett’s Landing by making portable toilets a thing of the past and providing concession and storage space.

“I’m real pleased with what it will provide for functions at Barrett’s Landing,” said Franklin Mayor Jim Councill, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. “It’ll enhance the niceness of the area and offer a great resource to people who either want to rent the place or for publicly-sponsored events.”

Members of the DFA, the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, representatives from local foundations and city officials were also on hand for the ceremony.

“This building will enhance the park and provide a healthier environment,” said Dan Howe, the executive director of the DFA.

Howe said only local contractors would build the project.

“We want this to be a community project,” he said.

In November, the City Council authorized City Attorney Taylor Williams to negotiate a lease agreement between the city and the DFA for the parcel of land that the building will be constructed on. The council also agreed to waive certain fees associated with the construction of the building.

Howe said he is looking forward “to continuing teamwork and cooperation to complete the project.”

The Franklin-Southampton Charities, the Camp foundations, DFA volunteers, city staff members and local citizens and businesses were instrumental in getting the project this far, Howe said.

“We are very excited to finally get this started,” DFA president Victor Story said. “It should make attending functions here at Barrett’s Landing much more enjoyable.”

The DFA hopes to have the building complete before the We Be Jammin’ concert series starts in May.

“I think it’s going to be a real nice asset to our downtown effort and to the citizens,” Councill said.