UPDATE: RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - There is more information on the Hord family property that sits on NW Board Street at I-840, which a City official originally told WGNS was sold. But we have now learned the deal has not yet closed. On Thursday, Betty Hord further confirmed the land has not yet sold.
The land, that has been in the Hord family for over 180-years is currently under contract. If the contract goes to closing, then significant changes would eventually follow, according to Murfreesboro City Manager Craig Tindall... As for how the potential buyer would develop the land, should the sale go through, Tindall speculated how that might look... Again, nothing is etched in stone and the possible buyer has not yet closed on the purchase - - leaving what could come to the imagination.
As of Thursday afternoon, May 2, 2024, the land remains where it has for the past 182-years, in the Hord family.
Previous Plans for the Hord Property: Looking back at the original plans approved by the Murfreesboro City Council in 2022, Legacy Sports aimed to develop a 259-acre property featuring multiple baseball, softball, and soccer fields, alongside tennis and pickleball courts. Additionally, the plans included provisions for an indoor arena, restaurant, and various entertainment amenities, predominantly catering to a wide array of sports enthusiasts. However, Legacy Sports never proceeded with the acquisition of the designated property.
In mid-2023, the company that had been granted approval to construct a sports venue on NW Broad Street at I-840 suddenly ceased operations locally. Apparently, the Legacy Sports venue in Mesa, Arizona encountered financial difficulties, initiating the process of filing for bankruptcy. Nevertheless, by the conclusion of last year, officials from Legacy Sports Park, a nonprofit organization overseeing the 320-acre sports complex in Arizona, revealed that a new owner had stepped in to acquire the company. This new proprietor, a California-based private equity firm, finalized the acquisition in December of 2023 for a price of $25.8 million.
History: In 1973, 9 acres of the Hord family property were added to the National Register of Historic Places. 34-Years later, the Hord family added another plot of land on the National Register. This site, known as Elmwood on the register, is situated opposite of the property slated for future development. According to National Register data, the family listed over 200 acres as historic and this land is located at 5722 Old Nashville Hwy. It lies west of the I-840 interchange and south of NW Broad Street.
The National Register lists the Hord property under the ID number 07000664 (You can search the registry map HERE).
In Rutherford County, there are at least 50 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, some of which are in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Walter Hill, Lascassas, Eagleville, Christiana, and Rockvale.
