Turkey Creek developer now planning "Dumplin Creek"

The creator of the Turkey Creek outdoor shopping center in West Knoxville has a new plan for Sevierville.

John Turley, along with several other investors, has purchased a 190 acre site located off exit 407 on Interstate 40 in Sevierville. The site is across the interstate from Smokies Park.

The development will be similar to Turkey Creek and will be named "Dumplin Creek" after a creek located on site.

Turley says success of the nearby Bass Pro Shops and baseball stadium led him to investigate options. He has been working on plans for the development since 2003.

"Twelve million people come into the park and Sevier County," said Turley. "There's another 28 million people driving by who don't stop."

The total cost could exceed $150 million, and Turley says it could take two years to build. Dumplin Creek will be half the size of Turkey Creek but just as impressive. 800,000 square feet will be used for retail and 400,000 square feet are slated for entertainment and hospitality.

"It's our goal to create the Turkey Creek synergy and serve our people and others traveling through," he said.

Tenants' names are not being released, but Turley promises a theatre, department store, hotel and restaurants with high-profile names like the ones in Turkey Creek.

The shopping center is the second big project in the area announced in the past two weeks.

Last week, a Florida company announced plans for an American Bandstand museum and theatre in the former spot of a retail store, Boyd's Bear Country.

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