Save the Dickson Mural! Don't take away parking!
Help by speaking up and letting your opinions be known.
Photos below of ADA Entrance to Katie's Ice Cream & ParkinG
It's not too late! The City of Dickson has NOT received plans as of 9/8/25
A Heartfelt Plea from Katie's Ice Cream: Standing Up for Our Community's Families, Accessibility, and History in Dickson, TN
RE: Loss of Dickson Mural, Downtown Parking Lot and Access
Hello, friends and neighbors of Dickson! This is Tom Costa, owner of Katie's Ice Cream along with my family, writing from the heart about something that's weighing heavily on us right now. If you've ever stopped by our little shop at 106 Church Street for a scoop of homemade Madagascar vanilla or to watch your kids play on our playground, you know we're more than just an ice cream parlor—we're a gathering spot for families, a place where memories are made under the Tennessee sun. But today, I'm reaching out because our beloved community space is under threat, and we need your help to protect it. This isn't just about our business; it's about preserving access for everyone, especially those who use a wheelchair or stroller and honoring the history that's tied our downtown together for generations.
Let me take you back a bit and explain how we got here. Katie's Ice Cream has been a fixture in Dickson since we opened our doors in 2019, but the building at 106 Church Street has a much longer story. For over 70 years—dating back to at least the 1930s—this property has relied on unobstructed access from the adjacent lot at 108 East College Street. Back in the day, that lot was a fueling station, as shown in aerial photos from 1949, but from at least the 1950’s, folks would cross it freely to reach what is now our north wall. When we bought the building from previous owner John Baker (you might remember him from old photos of the place in 1959), that access was a given. It's how utility workers have reached our electrical panel and overhead lines for decades, keeping the lights on and the freezers humming without issue.
In 2019, things got even more special. At the request of the City of Dickson and, we invested in building an ADA-compliant handicap ramp and entryway leading to our outdoor patio and playground. Picture this: kids laughing on the swings, parents relaxing with a cone, and folks in wheelchairs or with mobility challenges rolling right in without a hitch. That ramp connects directly from the parking lot at 108 East College, which the city leased as public parking from 2015 until just this past June 30, 2025. It's been a lifeline, ensuring we meet the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design also creating an inclusive spot right in the heart of downtown Dickson and not to mention, handicap parking spaces that don’t require crossing the street.
But now, that access is in jeopardy. The property at 108 East College was sold in 2023 to Eric Thornton, and more recently to KMTJ Properties—a group we believe includes local businessman Kevin Smith of Benefits Inc. and three other partners. They're planning new construction on the site, which we support in principle—growth is good for Dickson! However, their plans appear to involve blocking our historical pathway with a fence, effectively cutting off the handicap entrance and potentially disrupting our electrical utilities. This isn't speculation; we've received formal letters from their attorneys at Reynolds, Potter, Ragan & Vandivort, PLC. (those are communications are here on this website)
The first letter arrived on July 2, 2025, observing that we've been using part of their parking lot for our walkway and entrance. They offered two options: sign a revocable "License Agreement" that would allow continued use but under strict terms—like requiring us to carry $1,000,000 in insurance per occurrence, maintain the area, and indemnify them against any claims—or discontinue use altogether. The agreement was presented as temporary and could be revoked with just three days' notice. We saw this as a potential threat to our long-standing rights, so on July 10, I hand-delivered a response requesting a 30-day extension to August 10 to review title documents and consult legal counsel. We heard nothing back—no acknowledgment, no discussion.
Then, on August 20, 2025, came the bombshell: a certified letter withdrawing the license offer entirely. They claimed our use constituted "adverse possession" (which we dispute, as our access has been open and continuous for over 70 years, potentially qualifying as a prescriptive easement under Tennessee law, which only requires 20 years of such use). Worse, they demanded we remove our railing from the lot by September 5, 2025 and discontinue the using the parking lot immediately. They even noted their client plans to erect a fence along the property line "in the coming days." This escalation feels aggressive and unnecessary, especially since we've been proactive about communicating our concerns.
Back in April, before any of this heated up, I wrote to City Administrator David Travis, Director of Planning and Zoning Department, Jason Pilkinton and Mayor Don L. Weiss, Jr., highlighting the potential easement issue and attaching an aerial image of the properties. I emphasized how blocking access could violate ADA requirements, disrupt our utilities (leading to costly relocations and downtime), and hurt our business. As a local spot that's served Dickson families for years, we asked for their support in ensuring any development respects historical rights. The mayor, in particular, has a vital role in championing our community and local businesses—yet here we are, facing a fence that could shut down a key part of what makes downtown welcoming.
Now, let's talk about the real impact if this goes through. First and foremost, our ADA ramp would be rendered useless. Imagine a child in a wheelchair or a veteran with mobility issues being unable to access the playground— a space we built specifically to be inclusive. This isn't just inconvenient; it could violate federal ADA standards, limiting opportunities for families and tarnishing Dickson's reputation as a friendly, accessible town. Our patio and playground are community hubs where birthday parties happen, where kids cool off after a hot day, and where everyone feels included. Losing that side entrance means rerouting those folks through the alleyway and to our back gate which isn't designed for it and could create safety hazards.
Then there's the electrical side. Our electric panel and overhead lines on the north wall have been accessed via that lot for generations. Blocking it could force us to relocate utilities at a significant expense, potentially causing temporary closures. And let's not forget the human element: Katie's Ice Cream employs local folks, sources ingredients nearby, and gives back through events and donations. We're part of the fabric of Dickson, just like the old fueling station was in 1949 or John Baker's Building & Supply in the 1950s (and later J&M Sporting Goods).
This situation has left us heartbroken and determined. We've documented everything—Google Earth images from 2025 showing the layout, historical aerials from 1949, photos of the handicap ramp from 2019 along with images of the previous owner John Baker with and close-ups of the electrical setup. We're working with our attorney from Nashville to protect our rights, possibly through negotiations or even an injunction to stop the fence. Our generous offer to purchase a small strip of the property at market price was flatly declined. But legal battles take time and resources, and that's where you, our community, come in.
This is a call to action: Help us save this space for Dickson families! If you've enjoyed ice cream on our patio or watched your grandkids play, please stand with us.
Here's how you can make a difference:
1. Contact City Officials: Reach out to Mayor Don L. Weiss, Jr. (at the City of Dickson, 600 E. Walnut St.) , City Administrator David Travis and/or Director of Planning and Zoning Department, Jason Pilkinton. Politely share your support for preserving ADA access and historical easements in downtown. Let them know that this parking lot should not be developed. Let them know you don’t like that a new building will take away parking AND the Dickson mural. You can email or call— their contact info is public. (Here's the main number for your convenience (615) 441-9508)
2. Spread the Word: Share this website on social media, in local Facebook groups like "RealHipDickson" or "HipDickson" and with friends. Use hashtags like #SavetheDicksonMural #SaveKatiesPlayground, #DicksonADAAccess, #SupportLocalDickson. The more voices, the more pressure to find a fair resolution.
3. Visit and Support Us: Come by Katie's Ice Cream this week—grab a cone, play on the playground (while you still can), and let us know you're with us. Your patronage keeps us going.
4. Sign a Petition (Coming Soon): We're putting together an online petition to show community backing. Follow updates here on this website.
We don't want conflict; we want collaboration. KMTJ Properties and their team could work with us to incorporate access into their plans—it's possible, and it would benefit everyone. Dickson thrives when we support each other, not when barriers (literal or figurative) go up. To the partners at KMTJ, including Kevin Smith: Let's talk. We're open to reasonable solutions that respect history and inclusivity.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for reading this and for being part of our story. Katie's Ice Cream is here because of you, and with your help, we'll keep scooping joy for generations to come. If you have questions or want to chat, reach me at (615) 326-8957 or TomCosta615@gmail.com.
Stay sweet, Dickson!
Tom Costa
Owner, Katie's Ice Cream
JAMK Investments, LLC