Michelle Willard, The Daily news Journal, March 29, 2016
Dr. E.C. Tolbert unveils the Rutherford Hospital and Middle Tennessee Medical Center historical marker at the Highland Avenue site of the former hospital. (JIM DAVIS / DNJ)
MURFREESBORO — The consultants heading the Highland Avenue Cultural Arts District study have to use a different strategy to assess the study area because it includes very different parts of downtown with very different needs, a principal at Ragan-Smith Associates said.
The focus of the study encompasses a significant portion of downtown Murfreesboro as it stretches down Highland Avenue and its surrounding areas from East Clark Boulevard to the north, Broad Street on the west, College Street to the south and Middle Tennessee Boulevard to the east.
“It’s a district that covers several different land uses,” said Kevin Guenther, project manager at Ragan- Smith. “We are trying to get a sense of fabric of what’s there. Lytle and Highland are pretty distinct corridors.”
The streets within the study area couldn’t be more different from one end to the other.
On the north end, Highland Avenue has been largely impacted by the departure of Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital and Murfreesboro Medical Clinic to the Gateway.
While the former Saint Thomas lot has been bought and Bell Street building rehabbed by MTSU and the old MMC will house the new Murfreesboro Police Department headquarters, many buildings still stand unused and zoned for medical offices.
“MTSU is going to play a major role in shaping the future of the area,” said Jennifer Moody, Murfreesboro assistant city manager.
City staff wants and the Murfreesboro 2035 comprehensive land-use plan suggested more connectivity between downtown Murfreesboro and MTSU, like Nashville has with Vanderbilt University and Belmont University campuses, she said.
The city and university have entered into several partnerships, such as the Adams Tennis Complex, which have turned out well, Moody said.
On the west side, the study will look at any changes that need to be made to the Lytle Street corridors as it is reshaped by a new roundabout at College Street and the new judicial center is built.
Complicating the study is Sinking Creek and its watershed on the north end, the Square and historic district on the south side and neighborhoods in between, Guenther said.
“There are going to be different types of development and land-planning scenarios in different areas,” Guenther said.
He said the consultants will not look at using a blanket zoning across the study area. Instead, they will look at each parcel and focus on enhancing and “preserving what is already there.”
Guenther and company will do a thorough review of existing planning documents, field reconnaissance of the study area, review of the character of the area, a transportation and infrastructure analysis and a market analysis to identify the area’s potential.
“The purpose of the study is to see what is possible for this key corridor in our city,” said Matthew Blomeley, principal planner for Murfreesboro and lead on the project.
The Highland Avenue study is partnered with a similar look at The Bottoms, which stretch from the Discovery Center to Cannonsburgh along Broad Street.
Both studies will look at current and potential land use in the areas, economic impacts and incentives, historic significance and possible infrastructure improvements. Ragan-Smith will develop a future land-use map that will be detailed with how specific parcels can be used.
The land-use plans will take about two years to complete.
Reach Michelle Willard at 615-278-5164, on Twitter @MichWillard or Rutherford County Business News on Facebook at facebook.com/DNJBusiness.