WGNS news photo (9/11/2024} of 4 persons inside the fenced area of One East College, LLC. City says it was not their representatives.

Murfreesboro, TN - At Thursday’s City Council Workshop (9/12/2024), approval was given to begin the process for reacquiring the 2.5-acres of land that once had First Methodist Church, a small office building and a City-owned public parking lot.  The City of Murfreesboro will reportedly have an evaluation of the property’s value completed, and officials will attempt to purchase the land back from 705 4^th Ave. South Holding Company LLC and Onicx Investments OEC LLC. Council approved acquisition through negotiation, and if necessary, through eminent domain.

The City purchased the land from the bank’s holding company and put it on the market. A Detroit developer purchased the downtown square block on which to build public parking along with a mixed use development of retail, office, and residential with what is now One East College, LLC for $1.8-million.

In earlier WGNS broadcasts, Mayor Shane McFarland talked about the growing need for parking, retail, business and residential space in the historic downtown district.

The workshop showed that after more than 5-years, no parking has been built and the need has continued to increase. The land was also viewed as a prime location for future City office and other government facilities.

In addition, the City sent the developer a letter of default in mid-January, 2024. 

The council agreed that the historic First Methodist sanctuary and bell tower should continue to be preserved in developments.  

However, there was also concern as to the present condition of both the sanctuary and the bell tower. Both were unused when the bank was operational, and now have remained unused for more than 5-more years.

Other discussions centered around how the City would fund repurchasing the land. Not only does that include the acquisition, but also related appraisals and other services needed. That would be covered with funds from the CIP and/or the General Fund’s balance.

With the green light being given during Thursday’s City Council workshop, City officials will now begin to negotiate with One East College, LLC owners. If an agreement is not reached, condemnation proceedings to acquire with eminent domain will be initiated.