MURFREESBORO, Tenn. —The Murfreesboro City Council’s workshop this week will cover a wide range of important topics, including major downtown developments, long-term planning initiatives, and a study of the Cherry Lane Corridor stretching east from the I-840 interchange to a future I-24 connection. The agenda also highlights the start of a new era in waste reduction and recycling efforts. According to the 54-page agenda, packed with notes, documents, and updates, this important workshop will take place this Thursday morning at 11:30 AM (September 11), at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport Business Center. Below are some of the key ingredients to this Thursday's meeting...
Thompson Lane Widening – Revised Easement Offers - This Thursday, council members will further consider updated easement costs tied to the Thompson Lane road widening project, a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) effort scheduled for bid this December, with construction potentially beginning early next spring. The Water Resources Department presented revised counter-offers from property owners, many based on TDOT’s appraisals conducted five years ago. Staff noted that approving the counter-offers now could save both time and money compared to lengthy condemnation proceedings. The project’s easement funding increased from $689,000 to $880,644, reflecting an additional $191,644 to settle negotiations. Officials stressed that timely acquisition of easements is critical to keep TDOT’s construction timeline on track. A motion is expected to be filed at the meeting, which is held in the the Murfreesboro Airport's Business Center.
Recycle Right TN Introduced - Council members at the upcoming workshop on September 11th, will also hear an introduction to Recycle Right TN, a free public education resource launched by the Central Tennessee Regional Solid Waste Planning Board... That was Donna Barrett, chair of the planning board. The program is designed to help residents and businesses make informed recycling choices, promoting Murfreesboro as a forward-thinking, environmentally responsible city. The initiative rests on four pillars: Educate, Inspire, Inform, and Facilitate.
According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the board is tasked with long-term planning to reduce solid waste, ensure adequate disposal capacity, and promote recycling In 2015, the state adopted the 2015–2025 Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan, which set goals of diverting 15–20% of waste by 2025, reducing waste generation to 3.5 pounds per person per day, and achieving a 30% statewide recycling rate by the end of 2025, with an interim target of 25%. Looking ahead, TDEC is developing the 2025–2035 Solid Waste Management Plan to build on previous progress and establish new strategies for the next decade. In addition, the proposed Waste To Jobs Act, introduced in early 2025, aims to strengthen recycling by shifting packaging costs from taxpayers to producers. Visit RecycleRightTN.com to learn where you can recycle.
Keystone Redevelopment Amendments - Murfreesboro City Manager Darren Gore will brief council members on updates to the Keystone – Broad Street Redevelopment Project this Thursday. Amendments to the project’s Economic Impact Plan and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement are being considered to address parking and infrastructure needs.
The updated Keystone development plan introduces a phased approach, beginning with multifamily and retail in Section 1, condominiums and retail in Section 2, and a hotel with retail in Section 3. City officials and developers have previously emphasized that the project is designed to be a major economic driver for the Broad Street corridor and Downtown. They noted it will help revitalize the Bottoms area while strengthening Murfreesboro’s overall city brand.
Cherry Lane Corridor Area Plan Update – The workshop will include a progress report on the Cherry Lane Corridor and a special planning study covering 1,814 acres. This stretch of land intersects with Northwest Broad Street, Old Nashville Highway, and Florence Road, extending from I-840 to a future I-24 interchange. The plan is intended to serve as a 50-year blueprint for land use, infrastructure, and transportation, addressing challenges such as rail crossings, floodplain impacts, and major intersection design. Development in the area will be paused during a nine-month study period to ensure that future growth aligns with the City’s long-term vision. Workshop agenda materials emphasized the corridor’s role as a gateway to Smyrna and the Nashville Metro area, with the potential to attract jobs, spur redevelopment, and expand Murfreesboro’s tax base.
DETAILS: The meeting will be on Thursday, Sept.11, 2025, starting at 11:30 a.m. It will be held at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (1930 Memorial Blvd. In the Business Center Community Room.
Public Comment on Actionable Items: Individuals wishing to speak at a public meeting on “actionable items” must sign up at least six hours prior to the meeting start time. To ensure you will be able to speak, it is important to take the proper steps to be heard by submitting your request online at https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/PublicCommentForm or by calling 615-849-2629.
See the FULL agenda: https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09112025-2338
