The former site of the First United Methodist Church building in downtown Murfreesboro will be discussed on April 7th during a specially called workshop. You may recall the property was purchased by Mid South Bank several years ago for the use of a financial institution. Mid South Bank later merged with Franklin Synergy Bank. The most recent change involved the City of Murfreesboro buying the historic property to save it from future development. Franklin Synergy is in the process of building a new structure.
The Murfreesboro City Council will meet in a special workshop at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, April 7, 2016, in the Council Chambers at City Hall for the purpose of developing goals and objectives for the 1.87-acres of property.
The $1.55 million cash purchase of the property allows the bank to lease space in its former headquarters building for a period of time. City staff has met with Nashville developers to gather ideas for development of the site which will be included in the April 7 workshop. A lease agreement between the City of Murfreesboro and Franklin Synergy was approved by the City Council on March 24, 2016, so the bank can continue to operate at that location while their new bank is constructed in the Gateway.
One of the many ideas circulating includes a proposal for the Center for the Arts to utilize the chapel structure of the former church as an auditorium for plays. However, Phil Barnett the former President of the Center for the Arts, said some renovations would have to be made for that to happen...
There are no restrooms on the chapel wing of the former church building, which means they would have to be added on.
Meeting Details:
Who: The Murfreesboro City Council and City staff.
What: The Council will gather in a workshop setting to develop goals and objectives for the Franklin Synergy property. City Council voted Jan. 7, 2016, to authorize acquisition of the property.
When: Thursday, April 7, 2016 - 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: City Council Chambers
111 West Vine Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
