Relient J

^ Even in those cases, I'll take liberty over prettiness any day.

One of the unintended consequences of forcing aesthetics on people is that what looks good now, may not look good in ten, twenty, or fifty years. Aesthetics is a realm of subjectivity.

^ If I may, where do you think that this right comes from? And how does it trump the right of your neighbors to develop their property as they see fit. Also, no worries about jumping into the discussion. This is an important topic for cities nationwide.

So you don't see this as any type of curtailment of property rights, Lexy?

These changes will definitely make things worse. All of the things you mentioned are a gross curtailment of property rights. Having the government force its aesthetic choices on the people is utter tyranny.

I think property owners should be able to develop their property as they see fit, so a height of 80 feet is fine by me.

Here's the full article from the today's DNJ.com front page: http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A.../710070303/1002.

Lexy, thanks for answering my question. I'd like to point out that I didn't say the park would honor God, I said I didn't know whether or not it would honor God. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear enough. On to property rights: I think the subject of private property rights, the right of the people to develop their land as they see fit, is at the heart of the urban equation in modern America. I sympathize with your situation, but I firmly believe that the purpose of government is to protect our rights, not take them away. Business men who own land have as much of a right to develop their property as anyone else. You mentioned traffic, crime and increased property value/taxes as things that would infringe on your property rights. I fail to see how increased traffic near your property infringes on your land rights. Crime: If negligence on the part of your neighbor or criminal acts on his part infringe on your property rights then you have a legitimate grievance to take up with your neighbor in court, but then again it would be in my opinion criminal of the government to deprive a land owner of his property rights. I would agree that increased property taxes most definitely infringe on your rights as a property owner. Any tax on your property does so! However, the blame for that should be laid with the City of Murfreesboro, not with your neighbor. I truly believe that these issues are of supreme importance to all of us, especially as we discuss urban development in our city. If you do not wish to discuss them with me, you are welcome to abstain, but I do appreciate your time in answering my question. If a moderator has a problem with any of my comments, they will let me know.

My wife and I tonight visited the three stores now open in The Avenue lifestyle shopping center. We started with Best Buy, the store that I have been eagerly waiting for above all others, and of course I spent some money. The two employees I encountered were very friendly. We also wandered down to Off Broadway Shoes and then to Dick's Sporting Goods. It was really good to actually enter The Avenue parking lot after so many months of watching the construction progress. I'd love to hear other people report on their impression of the stores. Perhaps we can use this thread to discuss the shopping center as more stores open.

Could you elaborate please, Lexy? I have no idea whether or not this park will benefit or harm the area, or whether (more importantly) it will serve to honor God, but the owners of that property have a right to develop it as they see fit, provided it doesn't infringe on the property rights of others.

^ I don't know what allergies your friend has, but just wanted to let you know that the Kroger on Northfield and Broad has a pretty good selection of gluten-free products.

Erin Edgemon of The Murfreesboro Post published an article mentioning new retail developments at Medical Center Parkway/Thompson Lane. Among some of the notable announcements: * The large building going up in The Oaks Shopping Center is a Stein Mart. * The building going up behind (in front of?) Carrabba's is a Verizon Wireless store. * Two new retail sites are going up across Thompson Lane from the Oaks. The one in front of The Chop House will house an AT&T Mobility store and more. The article, which features more detailed information, can be found here: http://murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=5684

Welcome to the Murfreesboro forum, MaryMoon!

Predsfan, thanks for posting that link to The Avenues Web site. It was very interesting to look at their site plan.

I don't yet have enough information about this project to have an opinion on it. I'll be interested in hearing more.

Thanks for posting those renderings, KAjunRaider! I don't think that I had seen that arial shot before. It looks like it's going to be a fantastic ballpark! Also, the jumbotron news is very welcome indeed. That's been my only real complaint about Floyd Stadium. It really made a big difference in the presentation of the game to get the feel for what a jumbotron would be like during the game at LP Field last season. Speaking of MTSU football, my wife and I are planning to attend the annual Blue-White Spring Game this Saturday at 2 PM. Admission is free!

How would this metro government be structured? Would one body set zoning requirements for Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, and the rest? I haven't had any direct experience with a metro government, and would like to have a better understanding about what you're proposing for Rutherford County. In general I oppose the idea of a metro government (certainly as I understand the term). I believe we should keep power close to the people, and I believe in small, limitted government which exists to protect our God-given rights, not take them away. If zoning restrictions drove the Starbucks plant away, that's a good illustration of why we need to get rid of them, not reform them or encourage more of them.

^ No offense taken! MTSU has some fantastic sports to offer. I've only been to the football games, but they are a ton of fun! I'm sure the basketball and baseball games are enjoyable as well, not to mention the other sports MTSU has to offer. I wouldn't mind seeing some high school football locally at some point in the future. It sounds like there are some good teams around here.

Many here can probably guess my position on this, but I don't want to see Murfreesboro spend a single dollar of its citizens' tax money on a sports venue or any other similar project. If there's a market for a minor league team in Murfreesboro, then the team owners and their developers will find a way to build it. I would be outraged if my hard-earned money were stolen from me by the city to be handed over to a wealthy team owner or developer.

Kheldane, I appreciate your comments. You may feel the descriptor I use to give a name to my political beliefs is wishy-washy, but please don't take that to mean that my beliefs themselves are. I appreciate being challenged in my beliefs, but don't get to hung up on what label I give myself. I use "somewhat libertarian" instead of libertarian because as I understand the term "libertarian" and as I understand most other people to understand it, it doesn't quite match up with me perfectly, and I just don't feel it would accurately sum me up. You may find paleoconservative too vague, and I myself don't really like the term, but if I say I'm a conservative, I'm afraid most people would jump to the conclusion that my beliefs are in fact neoconservative. From where I stand, the two terms have become nearly synonomous. Christian Constitutionalist, and non-interventionalist might be two other terms I would use to describe myself. As far as your other advice, it is always appreciated. It's not about me being shy in my beliefs though. Anyway, take care, man!

I'm not familiar with some of those proposals, but I think there's still a lot of potential for retail growth in Murfreesboro. I'm looking forward to The Avenue opening. I'm sure it will increase traffic on Medical Center Parkway, but that comes with growth and success.

This is slightly off-topic, but MurfRez your comment about the bookstore reminded me of something I thought about earlier: I wish we had a Davis-Kidd in Murfreesboro.

It brought me a lot of joy to shop at Publix tonight. I went to the one on Memorial, as it's the nearest one to my house. I grew up in Florida, and my family shopped at Publix regularly. I've loved living in Murfreesboro, but walking through Publix tonight felt like a little piece of home had come to me. I know that probably sounds weird. After all, I realize we're talking about a grocery store, but it had that affect on me. The Memorial Publix is small, but it seemed well laid out. I like the way they freshened up the outside. It looks like it's had a fresh coat of paint unless I'm mistaken. The interior looked great too. I'll have to check out the other Publix sometime for fun. Hopefully this will encourage me to buy groceries more and eat out less.

^ As much as I dislike the term paleoconservative, it describes me more aptly than libertarian, though I have used the word libertarian to describe myself in the past. (When I use it I think I usually tell people my viewpoints are "somewhat libertarian.") I'm sorry, Kheldane. You and I have much in common, you shouldn't try to drive a wedge between us.

Just a reminder that two Publix stores will be opening today in Murfreesboro. Both of them are in locations previously occupied by Bi-Lo. One is on Memorial Blvd., the other is on S. Rutherford. My wife and I plan to stop by there this evening.