The Daily News Journal, February 21, 2018
The Franklin Synergy Bank wants to sell its headquarters building that was once home to First United Methodist Church in downtown Murfreesboro. (HELEN COMER/DNJ)
The Murfreesboro City Council will meet Thursday to discuss the future of the First United Methodist Church/Franklin Synergy Bank property in more detail.
The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, 111 W. Vine St.
In October, four developers — City Development Company of Nashville, Murfreesboro Investment Group (MIG), Southern Building Group, LLC and WRS Real Estate Investments — pitched plans to redevelop the site.
Proposals included a mix of retail, commercial, hotel and residential development. City leaders want to see the property redeveloped while preserving a portion of the
former church’s brick structure and iconic bell tower.
The city acquired the property on East College and Church Street from Franklin Synergy Bank in early 2016 for $1.55 million.
The building dates to 1888 and served First United Methodist until the congregation
relocated to Thompson Lane in 2003. Franklin Synergy continues to lease space from the city in its former downtown headquarters, but has moved some operations to the Gateway.