Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman believes the northeast Shelby County town is among the top places to live in the area with enhanced amenities and business growth.

Wissman, elected mayor in 2011, cited the strides made by Arlington during his 12th annual State of the Town address presented at Wednesday’s monthly luncheon of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. The mayor touted the town’s growth and preparation for the future supporting the attraction of Arlington.

“We just feel we’re the most desirable place to be in the region,” said Wissman, citing added land and amenities to its parks system in recent years.

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Those additions include the Arlington Tennis Center and S.Y. Wilson Disc Golf course at the Arlington Sports Complex on Memphis-Arlington Road, The Crossings amphitheater and Farmer’s Market pavilion at Forrest Street Park, and the acquisition of potential parkland at U.S. 70 and Tenn. 385.

“We’ve really put money back into the town,” Wissman said.

A parks master plan — the first ever for the town — is in development. But there are other improvements outside of recreation additions.

The past month saw the opening of the new freestanding Baptist emergency department and medical offices on Airline Road, and construction is underway on the new Tennessee State Veterans Home.

“We anticipate opening in May of 2024 here in Arlington,” confirmed former Arlington Alderman and Air Force veteran Hugh Lamar, who attended the luncheon and has played a significant role in getting the medical center built.

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The town’s long-range plan was updated in 2020, and its design guidelines were updated in 2019 and 2022.

Possible future development projects include adding roundabouts at the Airline Road exit of Interstate 40.

“Those could be eight-to-10 years away. We’re trying to do something because TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) won’t extend our bridge. They say the traffic count doesn’t justify it at this time. We’re trying to say: ‘Well it may not justify it now, but you have Ford coming 14 miles up the road, and by the time all of that is built you’re going to wish you had done this,’ ” Wissman said.

The Orpheum Theatre Group is also scouting possible locations for a new 1,000-seat Halloran Center For Performing Arts & Education that would serve northeast Shelby County.

“Of course, we want them in Arlington,” Wissman said. “We’ve met with their consultants. I’m sure others in the area have too. It’s their 100th anniversary by 2028, so they’re looking to have land identified this year ... and have it built by 2028.”

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The mayor also mentioned a new mixed-use planned development called Hawthorne that is in the early stages of discussion. It would be located on the north side of I-40 between Airline and 385. Some land designated as estate use would need to be rezoned before that could progress.

Another big project on Arlington residents’ minds for six years is a possible Kroger store at the southeast corner of Airline Road and Milton Wilson Boulevard.

“We’ve done everything we can do and given Kroger everything we can give them for their approval,” said Wissman, who along with Alderman Harry McKee stressed patience in waiting for an announcement. “I’m getting really antsy because I thought we would have one by now.”

Among other priorities this year, Wissman hopes the notorious county line issue that blew up last year will be resolved.

“We’ve got this bill filed, and it’s going to have to work through this session (of the General Assembly in Nashville),” Wissman said. “I think we’re going to get it worked out and get that cleared up once and for all.”