Murfreesboro Development News 2006

[dfwtiger]

From the Tennessean

Wednesday, 08/02/06

Conference call

[smeagolsfree]

Hey dfw,

It would be great if you could get a project list together for Murfreesboro and get some renderings as well. I for one am interested in seeing what is going on over there. I dont get there often. I would bet Lexy could even through a few pictures in.

I am glad to see this project moving forward.

[rocky top buzz]

Since UP doesn't allow full articles to be posted and this article will be deleted as soon as metro or rural sees it, can you post a link?

[Jonny11788]

Since UP doesn't allow full articles to be posted and this article will be deleted as soon as metro or rural sees it, can you post a link?

Link:

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...4/1150/COUNTY07

[Relient J]

I know I've expressed my opinion on this before, but the hotel and conference center should exist entirely in the domain of the free market. If they can't raise the money to buy the land, then perhaps going forward with this project is a bad idea. I would surmise that if every business that supported taxpayer funds being used to finance a portion of this project, and every citizen that voted in favor of that motion invested their own money in the purchase of the land, the city could stay out of this entirely (from a financial standpoint). There's absolutely no call in my opinion for taxpayer money to support the funding of the land purchase for this project.

[smeagolsfree]

Many, many cities use this method to bring a hotel complex to their city. I cant say I agree with it 100%, but sometimes it does have its merits. Its no different than the tax incentives that were offered to Dell to come to Nashville. Don't get me wrong, I agree with your comments but if one city is doing it somewhere, then it forces other cities to do the same. It is the same with states as well. That is how Nissan came to be in Tennessee. Tax payer funded incentives.

If this is banned in one city or state then it has to be banned in all in order to have a competitive playing field.

Edited August 3, 2006 by smeagolsfree

[dfwtiger]

Many, many cities use this method to bring a hotel complex to their city. I cant say I agree with it 100%, but sometimes it does have its merits. Its no different than the tax incentives that were offered to Dell to come to Nashville. Don't get me wrong, I agree with your comments but if one city is doing it somewhere, then it forces other cities to do the same. It is the same with states as well. That is how Nissan came to be in Tennessee. Tax payer funded incentives.

If this is banned in one city or state then it has to be banned in all in order to have a competitive playing field.

Yes...your right. This is a trick of the trade. I can't think of a city that did not provide incentives.

[dfwtiger]

I wish that Murfreesboro would conduct a more extensive study of the land uses along the greenway and river. I think it would be cool if they would start developing higher density mixed-use development within a quarter mile of the greenway. The greenway is a great asset. Right now, it is used for recreation...but I could see it as becoming a green main street for Murfreesboro.

My suggestion would be the creation of Stones River Zoning. It would be a zoning category with a series of sub-districts that have development standards and guidelines that are context sensitive. This would provide a legal tool to create sustainable projects along and near the river.

[Relient J]

If this is banned in one city or state then it has to be banned in all in order to have a competitive playing field.

Well, this is clearly an issue that falls under the 10th Ammendment, so I definitely wouldn't want Congress telling states what to do in this arena. I just don't believe states and cities should be subsidizing business. If a project is financially viable it will succeed without the need to raid tax money.

[smeagolsfree]

Well, this is clearly an issue that falls under the 10th Ammendment, so I definitely wouldn't want Congress telling states what to do in this arena. I just don't believe states and cities should be subsidizing business. If a project is financially viable it will succeed without the need to raid tax money.

This is a hard and sticky issue and there may be no clear cut way out. As long as these incentives are there, people will use them.

[Relient J]

^ Agreed. It's the sort of thing that would take a radical change in the hearts and minds of Americans to accomplish.

[dfwtiger]

^ Agreed. It's the sort of thing that would take a radical change in the hearts and minds of Americans to accomplish.

I have never seen the mater plan for the area. Is anyone interested in contacting City Hall to see if they can post it on their website?