Barnyard Estates Project – Moving Forward Together

✨ Barnyard Estates is moving forward—but we need your help! After meeting with the SBDC, we’ve identified opportunities and challenges that will shape the future of this community-driven project. If you have experience in food service, finance, or the nonprofit world, we’d love for you to join our strategic committee and help us build something sustainable for Pulaski.

This past month, I had the opportunity to meet with Tara Carr from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to review the Barnyard Estates project. Our conversation was eye-opening, challenging, and, honestly, exactly what I needed at this stage of the process. As much as I love the vision of Barnyard Estates—a place where families, businesses, and community can come together under one roof—it’s clear that we need to refine the idea to make it sustainable, market-ready, and financially viable.

What We Learned

During our meeting, Tara raised some excellent points. First, we talked about space and design. While our plan for parking is strong, thanks to working with the municipality on overflow parking, we need to revisit how deliveries and large vehicles—like food trucks and semis—can realistically access the site. If we want to include food vendors, they need safe, functional space to unload and turn around.

Another challenge is non-billable space. Hallways, vaulted ceilings, and open areas might look beautiful, but they don’t generate income. Every square foot of this building has to work for us. Tara also reminded me about noise—open concepts and hard surfaces mean sound travels fast. If the second floor is intended for professional or office use, we’ll need a plan to manage noise levels.

We also discussed market demand. Nationwide, office space demand has declined since COVID, and even locally, we’re seeing businesses downsize or rethink their space needs. That doesn’t mean our project can’t succeed, but it does mean we have to be intentional about how we design and what we offer. The big question is: how do we ensure Barnyard Estates becomes a destination—something that consistently brings people to Pulaski and delivers a return on investment?

The Mission Still Matters

Even with these challenges, I firmly believe in the mission:

• To create a space where community, business, and families co-exist.
  

• To support tourism and economic growth in Pulaski.
  

• To honor the concept of the family farm—neighbors working together and helping one another sustain the community.
  

That vision is worth pursuing. But to get there, we need to simplify and refine.

Next Steps

Right now, our top priority is market validation. We’ve already conducted focus groups and surveys, but more research and commitments are needed. We have to prove that this project is both needed and financially sound. At the same time, we’re looking at the design and asking tough questions:

• How can we make spaces more efficient and revenue-generating?
  
  

• What kinds of businesses and events will draw consistent traffic?
  
  

• How do we balance community goals with financial sustainability?
  
  

Call for Strategic Committee Members

Here’s where I need help. We are putting together a strategic committee to help fine-tune this project and make sure Barnyard Estates succeeds. If you have experience in food service, finance, or the nonprofit sector, your voice would be especially valuable. We’re looking for individuals who can help us simplify, prioritize, and make sure this building not only gets built, but thrives for years to come.

This isn’t just about a building—it’s about creating a gathering place that strengthens Pulaski for generations to come. But we can’t do it alone.

If you feel called to contribute your expertise, time, or perspective, please reach out. Together, we can shape Barnyard Estates into a project that truly works—for our community, for our businesses, and for the families who will walk through its doors. Please reach out to Tammy at Tammy@dynamicdesignspulaski.com if you are interested in helping this community project.