Washington County Tennessee Officials Are Working To Recruit Businesses To Move Into The Former Kroger And Kmart Buildings Near Downtown Johnson City. According To Mitch Miller, Interim Ceo Of The Washington County Economic Development Council, Work Is Being Done To Recruit Retailers To The Area, But It Takes Time. A City Engineer Is Working With The Council To Possibly Extend Lafe Cox Road And Placing An Additional Traffic Signal There. In The Meantime, The Property Is Not Owned By The City And Ultimately, It Boils Down To What The Owner Would Like To Do With The Buildings.