September 25, 2025

3 Things to Know This Week

1.Council unanimously approved a Federal/State grant to fund a siting study for a proposed control tower at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. The $145,700 grant is 95 percent federally funded; the city will contribute $7,825. A separate work authorization of $63,589 for Barge Design Solutions is 90 percent federally funded.

2.Building permits show mixed trends: primary single-family dwelling permits declined year over year (62 permits vs. 86 a year ago), while swimming-pool permits more than doubled (30 vs. 18) according to Rutherford County s August reports.

3.The city launched a Better Way to Give campaign. New signs around the downtown square urge residents to say no to panhandling and instead donate to local agencies such as Journey Home, Murfreesboro Cold Patrol and the Salvation Army. The campaign notes that solicitation from vehicles is illegal and highlights a QR code linking to charitable resources.

City Council Recap

Airport Control Tower Siting Study Approved: At the Sept. 18 meeting, council members voted unanimously (4-0) to accept a federal and state grant for a siting analysis of an air traffic control tower at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. The $145,700 study is 95 percent federally funded, leaving a local match of $7,825. Council also approved a $63,589 work authorization with Barge Design Solutions to conduct the analysis. According to Airport Director Chad Gehrke, an FAA-approved control tower would enhance safety and capacity and support economic development at the municipal airport. The eventual tower, including design and construction, is estimated to cost $7-9 million over several years. Pros: Supporters say the tower will improve safety and attract business aviation. Cons: Some residents question whether the large construction cost should take precedence over other infrastructure needs.

Transit Center Opens to Expand Mobility: The city recently celebrated the opening of the new Murfreesboro Transit Center, a 17-million-dollar project funded by $9 million from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and $5 million in federal grants. The local match of $2.8 million came from the 2019 and 2022 capital budgets. The facility features a passenger pavilion with bus bays, a bus maintenance and wash bay, and administrative offices, creating a multimodal hub designed to improve connectivityacross the city. Murfreesboro Transit operates 12 buses and employs 18 drivers; city officials say the transit center will support future service expansion.

Medical Center Parkway Widening Moves Forward: In August the council authorized construction for Phase II of the Medical Center Parkway widening project. The $6.4 million project will add through-lanes and turn lanes between Thompson Lane and the Fountains at Gateway and is funded through previous capital budgets. By using the same annual contracts that completed Phase I, city engineers estimate cost savings of about 27 percent. Construction is expected to begin this month and finish by early 2027.

Planning & Development

The city continues to plan for growth. In addition to the transit center opening, engineers and planners are preparing for Phase II of the Medical Center Parkway widening and working on long-term improvements at the municipal airport. Residents may also notice new signage downtown as part of the Better Way to Give campaign urging compassionate giving.

By the Numbers

Primary Single-Family Dwelling Permits: Aug 2025: 62 ( 28%) Aug 2024: 86

Swimming-Pool Permits: Aug 2025: 30 (+67%) Aug 2024: 18

Analysis: New home construction cooled this summer August permits for primary single- family dwellings fell 28 percent year over year. Swimming-pool permits, however, jumped 67 percent, reflecting continued demand for outdoor amenities)

Community Spotlight

Better Way to Give Campaign: As part of a new public-education effort, Murfreesboro is posting signs around the downtown square that say Please say no to panhandling and encourage residents to donate to local charities instead. The signs include a QR code linking to a list of agencies Journey Home, Murfreesboro Cold Patrol, Doors of Hope, the Salvation Army and others that provide food, shelter, medical care and job assistance. City code prohibits solicitation from vehicles, and officials note that donating to agencies is safer for both drivers and pedestrians.Looking Ahead Oct. 24 25: The City Schools Foundation will host the second annual Serve It Up Pickleball Tournament at the Adams Tennis Complex to support classroom grants. Late 2025: Construction on Phase II of the Medical Center Parkway widening begins. Expect intermittent lane closures and plan alternate routes.

Works Cited

Murfreesboro City Council agenda & news release on the control-tower siting study.

Rutherford County August 2025 Permit Activity Report.

Rutherford County August 2024 Permit Activity Report.

News release on the new Murfreesboro Transit Center.

News release on Medical Center Parkway Phase II widening.

City campaign to discourage panhandling and support local charities.