The old Franklin Heights Housing Complex could soon be a facility used for training by public safety agencies in Murfreesboro.

The City of Murfreesboro will host a Neighborhood Meeting at McFadden Community Center, 211 Bridge Avenue, Monday, August 22, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss with residents and business owners the proposed special use for the 9-acre site.

A Special Use Permit application was submitted Monday, August 8 to the Board of Zoning and Appeals (BZA), to convert the site to a Public Safety Training Facility for use by the Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department and Murfreesboro Police Department.

Preliminary sketches of the proposed facility will be available at the meeting. Fire Rescue Chief Mark Foulks and Police Chief Karl Durr will also be present to answer questions and address concerns.

The facility, which will provide a safe place for training for local public safety agencies, has been designed to minimally impact the surrounding community.

Features of the proposed facility:

• Classroom and Administration building (Classroom based training, including but not limited to an Emergency Medical Services Lab)
• Storage building for equipment
• Drill Tower for training on search and rescue, rappelling, confined space rescue, and other tactical exercises
• Burn module for Class A* Burns
• Five buildings will remain in place along the back of the property for various practical training activities
• Simulated streetscape for motor vehicle accidents, traffic stops, etc.
• Outdoor classroom, kitchen, restroom facility
• K-9 training area
• Firefighting props (car, dumpster, tank, etc.)
• Physical fitness/obstacle course
• Driving pad

The facility will NOT have a firing range and will have landscaping and other buffers in place around the perimeter for the least amount of impact to the residential areas.

The training facility will greatly benefit the residents and businesses of Murfreesboro by assisting with maintaining and upgrading the Insurance Services Office Class (ISO) rating, which can translate into lower insurance premiums.

Public Comments:

The City of Murfreesboro welcomes public comment on the City's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cityofmurfreesborotn.