The State Building Commission executive subcommittee on Oct. 20 approved a long-term lease with the National Civil Rights Museum Foundation that would establish a 50-year lease for the museum and historic Lorraine Motel, with an option to renew for an additional 25 years, Deputy Commissioner John Hall said.

The agreement will keep the foundation operating the museum while the state brings the property into its facility revolving fund to provide ongoing maintenance rather than the foundation continuing to receive an annual maintenance grant, Hall said. The subcommittee voted to approve a disposal by lease and to waive advertisement and appraisal requirements because of the long-standing relationship between the state and the foundation.

Hall told members the foundation has operated and maintained the museum under a lease since 1991 and that the new long-term agreement would end the foundation’s responsibility for routine maintenance previously supported by an annual operating grant. He asked the subcommittee to approve the disposal by lease with a waiver of the normal advertisement and appraisal processes.

Dr. Russ Wigginton, president of the National Civil Rights Museum Foundation, told the subcommittee he appreciated the partnership. "The relationship between the Lorraine Motel and the state of Tennessee is, I would argue, a model for other places in this country," Wigginton said.

A subcommittee member noted the foundation had traveled to the meeting to observe the discussion; Wigginton offered brief remarks and said he looked forward to "great days ahead." The subcommittee then approved the motion by voice vote; no public comment had been received on the item.

The action moves maintenance funding and responsibility for the historic site into the state's facility revolving fund while allowing the foundation to continue operating the museum. Further administrative steps to implement the new lease were not specified at the meeting.