(MURFREESBORO) Reports indicate that the City of Murfreesboro is concerned with Middle Tennessee State University buying residential property and leasing it for residential use, not educational, but declaring it University owned and keeping it off the tax rolls. In fact, University owned real estate with an assessed value over $12-million ($12,770,480) is being questioned.
On November 3, 2023, Murfreesboro City Manager Craig Tindall notified MTSU President Sidney McPhee that, “...very concerning are the current conditions of these University-owned properties. Most are in poor condition and maintenance efforts are obviously marginal. In short, these properties constitute a blight on the community.”
The letter states that last year police answered more than 200 calls to residents living on this University-owned land and explains that some were for very serious crimes, but since the property is not on the tax-rolls “...the calls are a drain on City resources and a burden on the community”.
The letter from Murfreesboro goes on to include, “the City’s crime data analysis shows that a substantial amount of crime in the City (Murfreesboro) occurs around the University.”
City Manager Tindall notes in the letter that City officials met with MTSU to discuss its concerns. According to the City’s letter, “The University staff indicated a correction would take some time.”
The letter from the City of Murfreesboro concluded by informing Dr. McPhee that the City Council is “...unified in requiring University develop a plan to immediately address its substandard properties in the City. Additionally, Council would request that the University become an active partner in addressing crime around the University.”
The letter from the City of Murfreesboro to MTSU concludes, “Until the University begins working with the City on these issues, the City, at the very least, will oppose MTSU purchasing additional properties not associated with a short-term plan for active, educational uses.
Copy of the Letter that the City of Murfreesboro sent to MTSU
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