Downtown Dwellers

I've been walking downtown neighborhoods campaigning to save the historic former Methodist church on N. Church and East College Streets. The city is buying the block to package it for redevelopment. Two councilmen have spoken up for trying to save the church, which dates from 1888, but the general tenor of the debate has been that only the bell tower can be preserved. Councilman Eddie Smotherman has said the building is to Murfreesboro what Big Ben is to London. I talked to a deveoper, who said the floor slants and that adding a second floor would cut off the windows. I don't think either problem is insurmountable. All over the U.S. people are saving these former churches and finding uses for them -- like restaurants and museums. I hope our city councilmen will a least try to do as well with this building. The council will hold a workshop on plans for this block at 5 p.m. on April 7th. If you want to try to save the church, I hope you will attend. If you can't, please go to the city website and contact the city council members via email or phone. Their phone numbers and email addresses are listed on the city council page.

I thank you. My tired feet thank you.

Keith Jones

dowkeith@yahoo.com

My website at www.gaspchoke.com also lists the council members' email addesses in a lead story on the church.

As I told you earlier, the council will hold a study session Thursday night on redevelopment plans for the block between E. College, E Lytle, N. Spring and N. Church Streets. It's the site of Franklin Synergy Bank and a former Methodist church that dates from 1888. So far, all the talk has been about tearing down the old church and saving only the bell tower. I have been asking people to turn out for the meeting to show their support for saving the old church and converting it to a use that pays for maintaining it -- if that is possible. The original staff presentation to the council didn't even list that as an option. We aren't trying to weigh down taxpayers with an expensive white elephant. All we are asking is that possibilities of saving the building be on the table.

The council study session begins at 5 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall -- the building next to Linebaugh Library.  

Here is what will happen. It is unlikely the council will take public comments during the study session, which will run from 5 p.m. to 6:30. However, you can make your views known at the public comments session, which goes from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone  who wants to speak has to call city hall and get put on a public comment speaking list. Just dial 615-893-5210 and tell them you want to get on the public comments list. You will either talk to Georgia Meshotto, who handles the list, or get her voice mail. If you get her voicemail, just state the subject you want to talk about. If you can't stay for the whole time, I'd like to get your name on a petition. If you want to write a more detailed comment, I will have a form for that, too.

Re: Saving the downtown church. Now is the time to speak up if you value that former Methodist church in town. The bell tower is a major part of the city's skyline. The church itself dates from 1888. The city has bought the block that it stands on from Franklin Synergy bank and is looking for suggestions from residents on how to redevelop it. All over the country cities are saving their former churches by converting them to restaurants, performing arts centers and places where local artists can rent studio space and show their works.I think this community will lose a lot if it senselessly tears down the church without making an effort to save it. If you agree with me there are several ways to express your opinion. I have a list of the emails of city councilmen on my website at www.gaspchoke.com The city plans to hold a neighborhood meeting at city hall on what do do with the block. When I find out, I will print the time and date on my site. It will also erect a board near the church where residents can write their suggestions. Finally, there will be city booths at JazzFest and the farmers' market on the square where you can make your views known. Please join with me in trying to save that church.