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Budget committeemen like battlefield park idea
By CLINT CONFEHR / Review Appeal Senior Staff Reporter
http://reviewappeal.midsouthnews.com/news.ez?viewStory=25142&Form.sess_id=2247604&Form.sess_key=1094733135
Franklin Mayor Tom Miller on Tuesday opened the government’s official discussion on transforming a golf course into a battlefield park. While budget committeemen didn’t vote on the idea, they voiced support, and raised questions, thereby deferring a $2.5 million decision on the land deal.
Country Club of FrWashington,D.C. , man who bought the golf course, is chairman emeritus of the Civil War Preservation Trust, so it’s not in his character to resell the land for development.
A Budget Committee recommendation could move the city toward participating in the purchase of the 105 acres, proposed for combination with other parcels to create a series of tourist stops for those interested in the Civil War. Miller wanted confirmation of that as a priority among city officials and that they want the city to match $2.5 million raised privately to buy the land. Authority to take such steps with city staff help was also sought. Committeemen asked for more information.
“The city should participate in the purchase of historic properties,” Miller said. “This was a campaign statement, but it has no validity without action by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. I still believe this is a proper use of taxpayers’ dollars.”
Miller’s said the city didn’t look for this situation, but faces it.
Heller bought the land from a land speculator who’d been leasing it to the country club. Heller’s leasing it to the club now, but on July 5 Heller will end that and do one of four things: sell the land to preservationists; continue to operate the course; develop homes there; or sell it to a developer.
Preservationists’ fund-raising campaign has nearly 40 percent of the $2.5 million they’ve agreed to provide to pay half of Heller’s sale price.
“My goal will be to have a specific goal ... relative to the $2.5 million match,” said Budget Committee Chairman Ernie Bacon, indicating a bond sale resolution should be drafted.
Alderman Chuck Edmondson asked: who owns the land after purchase; how will the course be run after purchase; and what’s the cost of transforming a golf course into a battlefield park? “The concept is fine, but the details are missing,” Edmondson said.
CommitteemanRick Moody asked, “What’s the impact on the tax rate, on bonds? ... I don’t hear as much opposition to the project as I do on the details.”
Bacon verified it’s a project the city “needs to do.” Moody, Committeeman Tom Kiermaier and Alderman Dennis Phillips agreed, but want answers.
Country club members are “disappointed,” saidBenton , concluding Miller has enough votes on the city board to buy the property. “Despite several denials from the mayor, he’s moved in a straight line since day one when the issue came to the forefront.”
Club members have nearly 900 signatures on a petition against use of city money for the land,Benton said. They’ll present the petition to the city this month, he said, asking what if the park service won’t endorse making it a national park.
Also Tuesday, Miller won committee support to buy half an acre adjacent to Harlinsdale Farm onFranklin Road
Miller also reported the city is trying to get right of first refusal to buyColumbia Avenue
Senior Staff Reporter Clint Confehr can be contacted at clint@reviewappeal.com.
By CLINT CONFEHR / Review Appeal Senior Staff Reporter
http://reviewappeal.midsouthnews.com/news.ez?viewStory=25142&Form.sess_id=2247604&Form.sess_key=1094733135
Franklin Mayor Tom Miller on Tuesday opened the government’s official discussion on transforming a golf course into a battlefield park. While budget committeemen didn’t vote on the idea, they voiced support, and raised questions, thereby deferring a $2.5 million decision on the land deal.
Country Club of FrWashington,
A Budget Committee recommendation could move the city toward participating in the purchase of the 105 acres, proposed for combination with other parcels to create a series of tourist stops for those interested in the Civil War. Miller wanted confirmation of that as a priority among city officials and that they want the city to match $2.5 million raised privately to buy the land. Authority to take such steps with city staff help was also sought. Committeemen asked for more information.
“The city should participate in the purchase of historic properties,” Miller said. “This was a campaign statement, but it has no validity without action by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. I still believe this is a proper use of taxpayers’ dollars.”
Miller’s said the city didn’t look for this situation, but faces it.
Heller bought the land from a land speculator who’d been leasing it to the country club. Heller’s leasing it to the club now, but on July 5 Heller will end that and do one of four things: sell the land to preservationists; continue to operate the course; develop homes there; or sell it to a developer.
Preservationists’ fund-raising campaign has nearly 40 percent of the $2.5 million they’ve agreed to provide to pay half of Heller’s sale price.
“My goal will be to have a specific goal ... relative to the $2.5 million match,” said Budget Committee Chairman Ernie Bacon, indicating a bond sale resolution should be drafted.
Alderman Chuck Edmondson asked: who owns the land after purchase; how will the course be run after purchase; and what’s the cost of transforming a golf course into a battlefield park? “The concept is fine, but the details are missing,” Edmondson said.
Committeeman
Bacon verified it’s a project the city “needs to do.” Moody, Committeeman Tom Kiermaier and Alderman Dennis Phillips agreed, but want answers.
Country club members are “disappointed,” said
Club members have nearly 900 signatures on a petition against use of city money for the land,
Also Tuesday, Miller won committee support to buy half an acre adjacent to Harlinsdale Farm on
Miller also reported the city is trying to get right of first refusal to buy
Senior Staff Reporter Clint Confehr can be contacted at clint@reviewappeal.com.
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