Justiceham

Oh there's plenty of money for atleast one Nordstrom or Macy's. I do believe that that it may be some time before we see a Neimen Marcus or Bloomingdales, though. Nashville or Cool Springs will open these higher end stores first, then Murfreesboro. This project is exciting to watch come to fruition.

Mr. Hammons says that the model showed on tv is a basic one, and it will have more "finishing touches" in the final result. I agree with you, ATLBrain, the peaked roof is generic. I would like to see a neon top or a glass pyramid for the roof. With that said, I'm still glad it's coming anyway.

That's correct. Mr. Hammons has signed a contract today for the conference center and hotel across the street from the Avenue.

Actually, there is some truth to that. Murfreesboro does have the money, it's called more residents. The only problem though, may be enough of them to support new Franklin-like developments. It is sad to hear of truly historic homes being demolished for suburban developments. Now I wouldn't mind to see the metal warehouses and shacks destroyed downtown, but two and three story pre-20th century homes that could easily become bed and breakfasts or hotels? Sad. I hope Rutherford/Murfreesboro get their act together. The area has much potential, and I do think the Gateway project is a step in the right direction.

Murfreesboro ranks 84th in Money Magazine's Top 100 best places to live. This national ranking says Murfreesboro is on the map and under the business radar. Here is the article from the local newspaper. http://dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/.../607180329/1002

For some time, Murfreesboro has had no means of public transportation for its citizens. MPO wants to change this and has released to the public their plans for potential mass transit between Murfreesboro and Nashville. What do you guys think about it? http://dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/.../607120342/1002

The interest may be new but the demand is still not as high as it is for single family dwelings, and who knows maybe in a few years Murfreesboro will have its own highrise living...downtown. Development here is on par and the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place.

Yeah there have been a few buildings demolished lately including the white one on main street. It's roof caved in due to heavy rains. Another recording/practice studio was burned down to the ground across from Club Sweet Water. No mention of what's to be built in those spots yet. I do know, however, that the Texaco gas station at the corner of Broad and Memorial was demolished for a new overpass to be completed in 2009.

I hope so.

Murfreesboro's greenway is urban in its own right and hundreds of people depend on it for work, groceries, or leisurely exercise everyday. With plans in the works to connect it to Smyrna, Lavergne, and eventually Antioch the Greenway will be used even more. However, the fact that it closes 30 minutes before sunset is disappointing.

There are other developments that seem to be abandoned as well such as the Shoppes of Murfreesboro behind the Boys and Girls Club. Chromalox has been demolished for almost five years now. Retail and office space was supposed to be located at the intersection of Northfield and Sulfur Springs and this was negotiated almost two years ago. I sure hope this trend of starting and not finishing things does not continue in the future.

Voted on over a year ago, the citizens of Murfreesboro were promised a new Embassy Suites hotel and adjoining conference center to be located off Medical Center Parkway. Construction was supposed to start in January, six months later the first shovel of dirt has yet to be turned. Although no contract has been signed with Mr. Hammons, what could be taking so long?

That's an excellent idea about connecting the Greenway to the MTSU campus. I believe the students that come here really don't experience downtown or even know one exists because there is limited pedestrian access. I say use what you've got, I really don't see Murfreesboro creating a (mostly) pedestrian friendly district anytime soon. Having the Greenway throughout the city gives easy access to shopping, utilities, restaurants, and maybe even home for some students. The Greenway is maturing quite nicely and its shear beauty is remarkable. The Nashville area recognizes this as well, that's why it has been proposed to extend the Murfreesboro Greenway from the Barfield area (South Church Street) to Percy Priest Lake (Antioch).

SR-99 is currently under construction for a new intercahnge and widening to five lanes from Middle Tennessee Boulevard to Eagleville. The plans are not only to ease congestion from Church Street but also to have a brand new entracnce for students attending MTSU, a direct route. New Salem Highway is slated for many upscale and/or high end housing developments including Three Rivers and a few near the Rockvale school already underway. When completed Three Rivers will include a large retail development, public square, class A office space, walking trails, and medium size artificial lake/marina.

I love that place (when it's not booked).

The downtown atmosphere is mostly safe and serene. It still retains it's older historic commercial district feel which might hurt it in the long run. There are clubs, restaurants, boutiques, yes, but I hear many of my peers comment on how there are not enough things to do at night and that it would be nice if our city adopted an entertainment district with an arcade, laser tag, teen clubs, recording studios, video bars, and an acknowledgement of our gay population (adult book stores, alternative club settings, etc.). Even Clarksville has a pride festival. There was once a rumor of a 20 story tower going up downtown, but mostly the downtown is seeing new tenants in older buildings. The city's main focus is on roads, residential, retail, commercial, and lastly industrial in outlaying areas, not downtown office/mixed use towers. I feel that the reason why we're behind is because of an underexperienced planning department. They continue to advertise the area as a "small town" and neglect the proper planning needed for a growing metro.

Yes, there are several road plans slated for Murfreesboro's urban growth. If you look on the city's website, you'll find the 25 year major thoroughfare plan. The city has adopted new city design standards, which will eliminate anymore Old Fort Parkways. Currently, there are 40 road projects going on around the city to ease traffic congestion. I-24 has been widened to 8 lanes through Old Fort Parkway and is under construction through Joe B. Jackson Parkway. The biggest problems affecting Murfreesboro's traffic congestion is a lack of interchanges, bottlenecks, and no belt/loop like the other major cities in TN have.

I was out the other day and thought it was about time to post some pics of my hometown. Murfreesboro is seeing many changes these days (puberty). It is shedding its smalltown image while still holding on to its community's values. Currently, Murfreesboro is the sixth largest city in TN an boasts an estimated population of 100,000^. Am South Bank Tower City Hall Police Department A View of Downtown Pinnacle Bank Towers Maple Street West College Street The Red Rose Cafe (Now Closed for Business) Patterson Park Community Center The Rotunda Discovery Center At Murfree Spring Wildlife/Wetland Preservation Area One of Mark Pirtle's Twin Office Towers (Another 8 story tower will adjoin these two when completed) Apologies for smaller pics (they're automatically resized when over 1MB).

This is great news and the third shopping center in Murfreesboro. I do hope this project sets new standards here (ie underground utilities). I am also hoping this thing brings a Whole Foods, Earth Fare, or Wild Oats.

Signature will be built, GET OVER IT!

A' MAZING, and long overdue if this is true

According to the development plans on the murfreesborotn.gov website, the actual height limit is 150 ft for the gateway area and overlay districts. This is kind of disappointing since Murfreesboro has not had a highrise built since what is currently the AmSouth bank on Vine Street (1992).