The area known as The Bottoms in Murfreesboro was discussed by residents on Tuesday night at Patterson Park Community Center at what was called a Planning Study and Visioning Workshop. During the event, those in attendance talked about future goals of what they would like to see in the area.

Approximately 100 residents gathered around ten large tables in meeting rooms A and B at the Patterson Center. All tables had the same instructions: to brainstorm how this area might be developed to make a difference in Murfreesboro's revitalization of the historic downtown area, how to resolve challenges and ways to preserve our culture and history.

The area in question is mainly comprised of industrial type businesses in the areas of downtown Murfreesboro that are south of the historic square, east along Southeast Broad Street to the Discovery Center, and west along Southeast Broad Street to Memorial Boulevard to the CSX Railroad. The study area includes the Murfreesboro's Civic Plaza, Cannonsburgh Village and the West Main Street area, to name a few key landmarks.

Each table appointed a spokesperson and amazingly all had ideas that mirrored each other.

The consensus was to create an area that would attract local residents as well as tourists. That would be done with a variety of music venues, restaurants, an upper boutique hotel, open waterways with greenway going down Hickerson Drive that connects Murfree Spring Wetlands with Cannonsburgh. The area would also accommodate a mixed use of residential and moderate income residential.

There was discussion of museums to tell the history of the area and the people who inhabited it in the past. In addition, an amphitheatre, galleries, art studios, boiler museum and more--all tied to local history.

Housing in the Bottoms:

Some of the key items discussed included the idea of loft style apartments with retail spaces in the first floor region. Right now, Murfreesboro has about 10,000 rental units with only a 4.6% vacancy rate. The average rent in Murfreesboro is now $1,100 per month. Murfreesboro makes up for 15% of the apartments available in the Nashville Metro Statistical area. However, the growth rates for new rental units is behind that of Nashville at only 7% new construction.

In the Bottoms area, there would be room for 90 to 140 workforce rental units. Workforce rentals are defined by the Urban Land Institute as affordable to households earning 60% to 100% of the areas median income.

Retail in the Bottoms:

Many in attendance discussed the need for more retail businesses, eating and drinking establishments and entertainment venues. One person even had the idea of a large amphitheater near the existing Cannonsburgh Village along Lytle Creek.

Access to the Bottoms:

To gain entry to the Bottoms area, you must utilize South Church Street or Broad Street as the two main access points. It was suggested that West Main be connected to Old Fort Parkway near the Bar-B-Cutie, by one resident.

Office Space:

In Murfreesboro, there is 3 million square feet of office space and of that, only 20% is vacant. The Bottoms could be used by small, but growing businesses such as IT companies, entrepreneurs, administrative offices and more.

Currently, the average rent is Murfreesboro stands at $16 per square foot.

Waterways:

There was concern of polluted water in the Murfree Spring Wetlands from street runoff. Some residents want to bring in more activities involving the waterways in the Bottoms area. Currently, Town Creek is underground between Lytle Creek in Cannonsburgh and Murfree Spring behind the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro. This would give a similar feel to the River Walk that has brought fame to San Antonio.

The fascilitators will now take the volumes of ideas and brainstorm on the suggestions before presenting them to officials with the City of Murfreesboro. NewsRadio WGNS will keep you informed.