The Model City Rewind

This week, Model City Rewind brings you the complete interview with friend of the show and local legend, Jeff Fleming, former City Manager of Kingsport, Tennessee. After 35 years with the city (including 5 years as City Manager), Jeff shares his remarkable journey from first-generation college student to becoming one of Kingsport's most influential civic leaders.
Guest Profile
Jeff Fleming
35-year career with the City of Kingsport (1984–2019)
Served as City Manager from 2019–2024
Started as an ETSU intern in 1984, worked his way up through various roles
Master's degree in Geography and Urban Regional Planning from ETSU
Currently active in community engagement through "Move to Kingsport" program
Key Topics Discussed
🏛️ Career Journey & Public Service
How a summer American History class changed his career path from engineering to public administration
The advice from his brother: "If you're passionate about what you do, the money will find you"
Working through six mayors and six city managers before becoming City Manager himself
🏙️ Kingsport Development & Revitalization
Downtown Kingsport transformation from 2000s to present
Blue Cross Park development ($58M project, 50 years in the making)
Broad Street redevelopment and roundabout installations
The "three-legged stool" leadership approach with Chris McCart and Ryan McReynolds
💰 Economic Development Strategy
Moving beyond traditional manufacturing-dependent economy
Non-traditional economic development focus (quality of life, walkability, urbanization)
Partnership with Northeast State for workforce development
"Move to Kingsport" program – 591 families from 47 states moved there last year
🏗️ Infrastructure & Planning Challenges
Annexation costs and responsibilities (millions of dollars per area)
Utility infrastructure upgrades in older neighborhoods (Lynn Garden, Preston Woods)
Balancing growth without becoming like Rutherford County/Middle Tennessee
Population growth target: 5-10% annually (currently at ~7%)
🎯 Community Engagement & Third Spaces
Importance of parks, recreation, and gathering spaces
Concert series on Broad Street (inspired by Greenville, SC)
Pickleball courts conversion and community adoption
Lacrosse becoming a school-sanctioned sport
🏫 Education & School District Integration
School boundary changes and community divisions
Robinson High School consolidation efforts
Band programs as community unifiers across socioeconomic lines

In this episode of The Model City Rewind, the hosts shoot the bull about life changes, local sports, and everything in between. Lane shares the whirlwind experience of moving back from Charlotte, including the chaos of a moving sale and the realization that experiences matter more than stuff.
The conversation quickly turns to the links and the diamond. The guys dive into Tiger Woods’ career trajectory, debates Michael Jordan’s tenure as Hornets owner, and compares the sports scenes in the Model City versus the big city. They also touch on local changes, including the closure of Sullivan North High School, the future of the Axemen stadium, and exciting news about the Nashville Stars MLB expansion.
Plus, they tease upcoming interviews with the winningest high school football coach in Tennessee history and friend of the show and local expert and civic leader, Jeff Fleming. Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or just love a good chat about hometown changes, this episode has something for everyone.
 
Connect with us:📱 Instagram & Facebook: @TheModelCityRewind📧 Email: partnerships@themodelcityrewind.com
Support the show by picking up the "Appalachian Alien" album at Southern City’s Band Camp.

In this week's episode of The Model City Rewind Dustol & Lane Kick Off the Podcast + share the first Model Memory: Mary the Elephant
Dustol, a lifelong Kingsport resident, and Lane, a longtime friend who left 16 years ago and is now boomeranging back to the Tri-Cities from Charlotte, introduce their podcast, The Model City Rewind, focused on Kingsport’s and Southern Appalachia's past, present, and future.
They outline a conversational format with weekly discussion, community engagement, and guests ranging from historians and small business owners to expats and everyday locals, welcoming corrections when they miss details. Topics will include sports, schools, economic development, housing, music, arts, and culture, and so much more; with an emphasis on storytelling and learning from history, including fun, interesting, and sometimes uncomfortable parts.
The first “Model Memory” recounts the 1916 incident involving circus elephant Mary and they ask listeners for more information about the event.
 
00:00 Meet the Hosts
00:53 Why Lane Came Back
02:06 Starting the Podcast
04:05 What Model City Rewind Covers
04:41 Guests and Community Voices
05:29 How Episodes Are Structured
06:06 Join In and Fact Checks
07:54 Downtown Then and Now
09:17 Model Memory Segment
10:47 Supporters and Partners
11:49 Mary the Elephant Story
17:38 Why Start With Mary
20:12 Looking Ahead and Wrap Up

In this inaugural teaser episode, Dustol & Lane reconnect in The Model City after a 15+ years to launch The Model City Rewind. Listeners get a candid glimpse into why the two friends decided to sit down together again: Dustol’s deep‑roots experience living in the Tri‑Cities and Lane’s recent “boomerang” return from Charlotte after a decade away.
The conversation weaves personal history with a broader mission—capturing Appalachia’s rich narratives for both longtime residents and newcomers. They discuss the influx of out‑of‑state arrivals, the evolving identity of Kingsport, and the value of preserving oral history for posterity. Listeners hear reflections on how the city has changed over the past two decades, the challenges of being an “expat” returning to familiar streets, and the excitement of building a platform that gives voice to a diverse array of community members—from multigenerational locals to recent transplants.
Throughout, the hosts emphasize their commitment to:
Documenting the region’s past for future generations.
Highlighting current community dynamics and the stories of people shaping Kingsport today.
Imagining forward‑looking ideas that can help the city thrive.

First, a huge thank‑you to Southern Cities for their generous support and providing the music that frames every episode of The Model City Rewind. Be sure to check out their Bandcamp page that has the intro track, Appalachian Alien, and all of their music for purchase. 
Hosts Dustol and Lane discuss the mission to explore Kingsport’s past, present, and future. 
This is a community‑driven podcast—your input shapes every episode.
Dustol & Lane will bring on local guests (historians, business owners, artists) to deepen the conversation.
Short audio clips will be posted regularly on social media platforms and our website.
Follow @TheModelCityRewind on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for updates, behind‑the‑scenes moments, and event announcements.

The Model City Rewind reunites two longtime friends—Dustol and Lane—who haven’t regularly sat down together in 15+ years. Now, with microphones and a shared love for Kingsport’s rich Appalachian heritage, they meet regularly to explore the city’s past, dissect its present challenges, and imagine bold futures for the region. Each episode blends lively conversation with insightful interviews, inviting local historians, business owners, artists, and civic leaders to add depth and color. While the discussions are grounded in research and community‑driven ideas, the chemistry between the hosts keeps the tone relaxed and fun, turning every recording session into a spirited gathering that celebrates Kingsport’s story and sparks fresh possibilities for its next chapter.