Murfreesboro, TN - The Heart of Tennessee is working to make a better first impression by improving the footprint of the uptown historic business district. Three ingredients touted by many supporters are downtown residences, more unique retailers and a hotel preferably with convention space.

One project is on-hold reportedly due to an industry-wide strain on hotel financing, but what about "state financing"? Aso, what if that proposed hotel was a dozen blocks from the square--like Middle Tennessee Boulevard at Greenland Drive on the MTSU campus? Let your mind do some creative wandering and think outside the box.

University President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee announced, "Middle Tennessee State University is in the final stages of negotiations for a hotel that would be used to train Tourism and Hospitality Management Program students."

While estimated cost, size and other details are being finalized, McPhee said the proposed public-private partnership would result in a facility “that will serve our campus community, bolster tourism in the area, and be a favorite destination for visitors to our campus as well as athletic facilities.”

“Most importantly, it will be a learning laboratory and a place for practical experience for students in our newly accredited Tourism and Hospitality Management program,” he said, noting that MTSU’s program is the only accredited such program in the state.

Some community leaders began asking with the hotel being near Murphy Center would the days when superstars like Elvis, Sinatra and others would perform there return? Would campus venues like that and the Student Union ballroom, Tennessee Room and others draw medium size conventions--all while allowing students earning their degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management have a true hands-on learning experience?

“MTSU is uniquely positioned to continue significantly impacting our students, community, region, and state,” he told the audience. “We possess a wealth of advantages that, when leveraged effectively, will propel us to new heights of excellence and innovation.”