MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - As Murfreesboro's population continues its rapid climb, city leaders are moving ahead with plans that will bring a dedicated police precinct to the fast-growing western portion of the community. This is a significant step into the future as the project will mark the first stand-alone police precint.
The Murfreesboro City Council took another step toward that goal during its May 21 meeting by approving an architectural firm to begin developing plans for a new public safety facility on Veterans Parkway. The action signals that the proposed project has entered the design phase, placing the long-discussed precinct on a path toward eventual construction.
MPD and the City wish to partner with Kline Swinney Associates, for their design services for an approximately 21,000 square foot facility to accommodate daily police operations, administrative offices, and community and training spaces. The proposed scope of services includes providing architectural and engineering services as well as oversight of the bidding process. The fee for the initial design services is $768,210.
The future building would be strategically located on the city's west side, allowing officers to more efficiently serve residents in the Blackman area, one of Murfreesboro's fastest-expanding sections. As new neighborhoods, businesses, and commercial developments continue to emerge across the city limits, municipal officials have increasingly focused on ensuring public safety resources keep pace with growth.
Currently, the Murfreesboro Police Department operates from its headquarters on North Highland Avenue. That facility opened in 2018 after the department relocated from its longtime home on South Church Street, where officers had been based since 1973.
The former headquarters, located next door to WGNS Radio, remains standing but has largely outlived its original purpose. Although portions of the building are still occasionally utilized for specialized training exercises, the structure continues to deteriorate as it awaits demolition. The site is expected to become part of a future mixed-use redevelopment featuring residential condominiums, dining establishments, office space, and retail opportunities.
The concept of a west-side precinct has been discussed for years as city planners examined ways to improve response capabilities in areas experiencing significant residential expansion. A local substation would reduce travel times for officers assigned to the growing corridor while also providing a more visible law enforcement presence closer to where many new residents live and work.
Council documents tied to the Veterans Parkway public safety campus indicate that planning efforts are underway in the same general area where Murfreesboro is also preparing to construct Fire Station 12. City records show the new fire station will serve a district currently experiencing continued growth and will be built on city-owned property along Veterans Parkway. Planning documents associated with that project reference a neighboring police site, further signaling the city's long-range vision for expanded public safety infrastructure in the area.
While city leaders have not yet announced a construction timeline or total project cost for the police facility, the selection of an architectural firm represents one of the first major milestones in the development process. Before ground can be broken, designers will work through schematic layouts, site planning, engineering requirements, and construction documents.
For a city that has experienced decades of sustained growth, the proposed precinct reflects another effort to expand essential services alongside an increasing population. If completed, the facility would mark the first standalone police precinct in Murfreesboro and provide additional resources to support one of the city's busiest and fastest-changing areas.
