Sumner County reviews possible sale of 139 E. Winchester St.; opioid funds discussed as match

Sumner County commissioners and staff on March 13 discussed the potential sale or transfer of county-owned property at 139 East Winchester Street in Gallatin, commonly called the Children Are People building, and possible use of opioid-abatement funds as a purchase match.

The presentation from General Operations outlined several options: sell the parcel, lease it, renovate the structure to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act, demolish structures and sell land, or transfer the property to the Sumner Prevention Coalition with a contingent subdivision so Recovery Court, Inc. could use part of the site for housing for women with children. Sharon, General Operations staff, told the body that the discussion was for information only and that no formal transfer or funding decision was being requested at the meeting: "This is only for informational purposes. No action is being taken today," she said.

County staff told commissioners that a state Round 3 opioid-abatement allocation is expected for the county — $709,633.29 per a draft memorandum of agreement on file. That allocation currently is described as having roughly $100,000 withheld for a local prevention coalition and a further $150,000 in departmental requests still being worked out. County staff said Opioid Abatement Committee members have indicated they would consider providing a $100,000 match toward a transfer if the county decides to sell or convey the parcel to the prevention coalition; the coalition’s board has preliminarily voted to offer funds that informed the coalition’s request.

The panel reviewed competing value estimates for the property. Minutes and handouts presented at the meeting show a December 2024 figure described in the packet as roughly $186,800. Legal and county staff later said the state comptroller’s online assessment was updated on March 11, 2025, and now lists the property’s total market appraisal at about $500,000; staff said they had not yet had time to reconcile that difference. Commissioners asked whether a formal appraisal should be ordered; staff answered that Gen Ops could request an appraisal and the budgets committee would need to appropriate funds for it. Commissioners also discussed alternative sale strategies, including setting a minimum bid or using an auctioneer. One commissioner summarized the tradeoffs: keeping and renovating the property would require bringing it into ADA compliance (staff estimated a 2025 upgrade cost of about $325,717.62) and ongoing insurance and maintenance; selling or gifting would transfer those obligations.

Representatives of the Sumner Prevention Coalition described how the coalition proposes to use the property if it acquires it. A project coordinator for the coalition (name not specified in the record) said the coalition intends the site for prevention, outreach and programs aimed at youth and families and that "it's not our intention to...we don't wanna make any money off that whatsoever." The coalition described plans to subdivide the parcel if it obtains it so that Recovery Court, Inc. could demolish one structure and build a residence for women with children impacted by substance use. Coalition leaders also provided letters of support from municipal and volunteer-fire stakeholders who said they would continue to operate from the site if the coalition assumes stewardship.

Commissioners raised several concerns and options: requiring a reverter clause so that the county would regain the property if it ceased to be used for the stated public purpose; setting a minimum sale price (one commissioner suggested $500,000); awarding the property in exchange for a monetary match (a $100,000 opioid match paired with a $100,000 coalition contribution was discussed); leasing the property long term at a nominal rate; or selling the land outright and letting a buyer assume existing improvements. Legal staff said a reverter clause can be drafted if the parties agree and would have to be processed through legislative channels before any final transaction.

County staff noted additional practical matters: the county continues to pay insurance on the vacant building, some windows are damaged and would need repair, and the property contains storage units and trailers used by the coalition. Staff also reminded commissioners that any use of restricted opioid-abatement funds must meet state grant requirements; finance staff present said the proposed $100,000 match to the coalition would meet the state requirements under the opioid funds guidance.

No formal vote was taken. Staff said the item would return for additional review: the Opioid Abatement Committee planned to meet April 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. to consider funding questions and Gen Ops planned to consider the matter April 7, 2025, with follow-up to the full commission if necessary. Commissioners asked staff to order a formal appraisal if the body wishes to proceed with a sale or to bring back refined cost estimates and proposed deed restrictions if a transfer is considered.

The meeting record shows commissioners expressing support for housing prevention and recovery services in the building but divided on conditions such as reverter clauses, minimum prices, or bond-like protections for taxpayers. Several commissioners said they favored moving quickly to preserve the coalition’s services if that is the county’s objective; others emphasized due diligence on appraisal, long-term liabilities and the legal form of any transfer.

Next steps listed in the meeting record are staff follow-up on appraisal and valuation differences, drafting potential deed restrictions (including reverter language) for legal review if commissioners request them, and return of the item to the Opioid Abatement Committee and then Gen Ops for formal consideration.