What are the plans for the former Methodist Church?

The preliminary plans are in for the future of the former Methodist Church in downtown Murfreesboro.

Brian Davis, from TRC Construction and developer One East College, gave the Downtown Murfreesboro Business Association a quick tour of the project on Thursday morning, Oct. 10.

The project will occupy the entire city block bounded by Lytle, College, Church and Spring streets. A hotel will be built on the College Street side. On the Lytle-Spring corner, a four-level public parking structure with 505 spots will be the foundation for a residential development. Offices and retail will occupy the Church Street side.

Davis said the church building, including its iconic bell tower will be saved.

"We want the church to be the focal point of the project," Davis said, adding they are trying to tie elements of the church into the overall design of the buildings.

Davis said the plans are still preliminary because they haven't been approved by the city yet, but they have been submitted to the Murfreesboro Planning Department for review. The plans also have to be approved by the Murfreesboro Planning Commission before construction can begin.

Davis was accompanied by former Rutherford County Attorney Jeff Reed, who is now with TRC.

What will happen to the church building?

One East College purchased the entire block for $1.8 million in June with the primary task of redeveloping the site while preserving the church.

Davis reiterated that only thing to remain one the site is the church building.

"It’s very important to the city ... inside of building will be restored for what we want to do with it," he said, adding they intend to use it as an upscale event space or restaurant.

The developers also plan to open up the spire to see in inner working from the inside and to light it so it is visible from the outside.

Davis added all the stained-glass windows have been removed and stored off site by the city for safekeeping.

What kind of hotel?

One East College is in the process of looking for a hotelier to run the hotel, Davis said. It will have a boutique feel provided by an upscale chain.

It will also have retail space on the ground floor and could have a rooftop bar, depending on the hotelier.

Will there be more parking?

Because the part of the block has a city-owned parking lot that is full most of the time, the downtown merchants were concerned about the impact on traffic.

Davis said construct will begin with the parking garage so that they can meet their timeline. One East College's contract with the city requires them to start demolition no later than Jan. 24, 2020, and complete construction by June 30, 2022.

The garage will serve as the foundation for the residential section of the mixed-use development. The developers intend to sell the units as condos, Davis said. And One East College is developer and intends to hold the property.

To provide parking for the residents, the top 120 spaces will be reserved and gated while the garage itself will be gated and metered to keep vehicles from overstaying their welcome (like in the city-owned garage at Civic Plaza).

An additional 48 on-street parking spaces are planned on three sides of the block, excluding Lytle Street, which will have the entrance to the parking garage and a plaza between office building and garage.

What else will there be?

The commercial portion will consist of retail and offices on the Church Street side. There will be approximately 15,000 square feet for retail on the ground floor and 15,000 square feet for restaurants.

Also, the Murfreesboro Police Department has asked for a small police precinct to be included "to get more police cars back in the downtown area," Davis said.