By Lisa Marchesoni - Sept. 10, 2007 - 4:30 PM

Developers of Bible Park USA in the Blackman community hope to submit plans by the end of the year to Rutherford County government.

Managing director Armon Bar-Tur said he hopes to present the park’s master plans to the county soon but awaits a traffic study and other research.

During public meetings, residents may discuss concerns one-on-one with a traffic planner or other developers.

Bar-Tur proposes to build the 50-acre park on a 300-acre site along state Route 840 near Blackman Road. The $150 to $200 million park features an Old Testament and New Testament area with jobs for 500 to 1,000 seasonal workers.

If developed, they expect 1.25 million estimated visitors annually. If the park is approved, developers hope to keep it fresh by changing the museum exhibits, sponsoring musical concerts and Biblically-based plays and adding Bible stories regularly.

In an interview at The Murfreesboro Post Monday, Bar-Tur and consultant Terri H. Sterling said they have listened to concerns of Blackman community residents about noise, traffic, lights and property values. Sterling said she and Bar-Tur would meet with anyone to discuss concerns.

They’ve met with individuals, opponents, church groups and neighbors. “It’s been an education for both sides,” Bar-Tur said.

Regarding noise, Bar-Tur said the plans call for the park itself to be situated on the back of the site away from Blackman Road. A berm and “lovely rolling hills” would prevent some noise. On the site, the amphitheater was designed with a tensile structure as layer of insulation for outdoor performances. Speakers will be geared for the audience that will reduce the noise output.

For lighting, the O’Hanlon Group of Knoxville believes in the grassroots Dark Sky Project to not lighten up the night sky. The group proposes to use newer technology with the light pointing down.

Regarding traffic, developers are working with planners to minimize the impact on local traffic.

“We think people will be happy,” Bar-Tur said. Traffic plans are still being reviewed before being presented to the county and Tennessee Department of Transportation. “Ideas and plans are evolving as we move forward,” Bar-Tur said. By handling the noise, traffic and lighting concerns now, Bar-Tur hopes the park in its “island to itself” won’t affect property values. “This plan is set out for the future,” he said.

For information about the Dark Skies program, click on http://darksky.org/