The Murfreesboro City Council on June 26 authorized staff to begin easement negotiations for 99 properties affected by the Thompson Lane widening project and approved a maximum starting offer pool of $689,000 to cover permanent and temporary easements; the council also granted the city legal department authority to pursue eminent domain if voluntary agreements cannot be reached.

City staff said the widening project — a roughly 4‑mile corridor between Broad Street and Memorial Boulevard — requires relocation of water and sewer mains and that Tennessee Department of Transportation right‑of‑way rules prevent the city from leaving some utilities within the roadway. Staff presented a valuation method using tax assessor values: 50 percent of land value for permanent easements and 20 percent for temporary easements, with a 10 percent voluntary‑conveyance premium added when owners sign voluntarily. For very small easements, staff proposed a $1,000 minimum offer.

Staff estimated the calculated maximum for the easement pool at about $662,000 and requested authorization of $689,000 to give the legal department negotiating flexibility and avoid eminent domain where possible. Staff said that, if legal must use eminent domain, the 10 percent voluntary premium would be removed and the city would order appraisals as required.

Council voted unanimously, 4‑0, to approve the $689,000 authorization and to allow legal staff to proceed with eminent domain if property owners do not accept offers. Staff said the amount covers both permanent and temporary easements and the initial offers will be structured to encourage voluntary conveyance.

The city said funding for easement acquisition and relocation activities was included in project planning and that the exact compensation for individual parcels will be determined through negotiations or appraisal if condemnation occurs. Staff indicated further steps will involve direct outreach to affected property owners and, if necessary, legal proceedings to secure rights‑of‑way.

Sources: Presentation by engineering/street‑project staff to Murfreesboro City Council, June 26, 2025.