The Falls was financed in part with $25 million in general obligation bonds borrowed by the city (and later by additional revenue bonds). The city purchased 140 acres to create 'The Falls' project, with over one million total square feet of mixed use commercial/retail/motel development. In 2013, the city of Bristol and Washington County threatened lawsuits over the city's plans for commercial development at Exit 5 on I-81.
The City of Bristol is an independent political jurisdiction, separate from Washington County in Virginia. and jurisdictions compete for tax revenues Proposed new commercial development near Bristol is concentrated on I-81 exits, not downtown.
'The Falls' Project on I-81 in Bristol 'The Falls' Project on I-81 in Bristol
