Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess was on the WGNS' Action Line radio show Wednesday (3/25/2015), and he announced that businesses who rent in the county-owned strip center along Maple Street must move out by October first.

He noted that four businesses are still in the structure that will be torn down so that the Rutherford County Judicial Building can be constructed on the site.

In connection with the same massive judicial building project, the Daily News Journal has also requested an extension on the date they need to vacate their facility. As you recall, Gannett Publishing, owner of the newspaper, sought someone to purchase their large parcel of land on bordered by Walnut, Lytle and Maple Streets in downtown Murfreesboro. The county decided the land would be suitable for a multi-storage parking garage for use by persons at the new courtrooms and other Rutherford County government business.The DNJ has asked for a June move-out date.

When asked about the use of the old judicial facility with courtrooms and offices on the north side of the public square, County Mayor Burgess noted the structure was sound and with renovations had many more years of usable service.

However, that was not the response when questioned about the old bank building on the north side of the square and Maple Street. Mayor Burgess indicated there were no plans for the future of that property. When asked his feelings on Rutherford County possibly taking the same course as they did with the old downtown jail and creating green-space, he noted that course made sense.