Mount Juliet commissioners ask staff to draft RFP for downtown redevelopment, consider new city hall

At a Jan. 27 workshop, the Mount Juliet Board of Commissioners discussed launching a request for proposals to redevelop about 89 acres of city-owned property in downtown Mount Juliet and asked staff to return with an RFP that would include infrastructure plans, ongoing maintenance expectations, an emphasis on downtown walkability and a municipal financial-impact statement. City Manager Kenny Martin framed the discussion as exploratory rather than a finalized plan.

The RFP discussion matters because the city would control use of downtown land it recently acquired and could either lease portions, sell or trade land to a developer, or reserve space for a new city hall. Commissioners said the decision could shape downtown character, parking and traffic patterns and city revenue for years.

City Manager Kenny Martin told the commissioners the review is “exploratory” and that he brought maps and proposals only to get direction: “I put up a few maps just basically for folks who may not understand the outline of the city's properties downtown… Mine was more or less to get marching orders and a vision from the commission of what you would like to see for the property,” Martin said. He said the city doubled its downtown holdings when it purchased adjacent tracts and that some current tenant leases remain in effect while other small houses on the parcels may need to be removed if redevelopment moves forward.

Members of the commission pressed staff for specific elements they want in the RFP. The mayor asked staff to bring back an RFP proposal and told Martin he wanted the RFP to require a plan for infrastructure improvements and ongoing maintenance, an emphasis on downtown walkability, proposals on whether a developer would provide a new city hall as part of a land trade, and a municipal financial-impact statement. Vice Mayor (unnamed) and other commissioners also asked for a traffic-impact study to be included or at least considered during the RFP evaluation.

Commissioner Malelli said the city should be cautious about spending on a new city hall immediately because recent moves of other city departments have reduced urgency, saying, “I couldn't see spending money on a new city hall because we had we were able to open up more room.” Several other commissioners and staff noted that the city is building a new police headquarters (targeting summer 2025) and a new fire station (targeting December1/January, roughly 2026), which will free up additional space downtown.

Commissioner Giles and others suggested public engagement tools such as resident surveys and town-hall style meetings before finalizing an RFP. Commissioners discussed the city-owned boutique and small commercial leases on Caldwell Street and Mount Juliet Road; staff reported monthly rent figures for some leases (the jewelry-store lease cited in the discussion was described as $2,000 a month in one exchange and $1,500 a month in another; the transcript shows both values and staff said they would confirm exact figures with finance).

Discussion covered whether the city should pursue a single master plan for the entire block to avoid piecemeal sales, or instead lease or sell portions over time. Several commissioners said they prefer a master-plan approach to preserve walkability and cohesive design; others stressed the need for the RFP to give multiple developers a chance to respond.

Staff flagged implementation issues that would need evaluation if a master plan or denser development is approved, including potential road widening related to a future East Hill Street connection to Golden Bear and the need to evaluate how much right-of-way would be required. Public works staff said the city would need to evaluate road and infrastructure impacts after a proposed development plan is known and would likely require traffic and impact studies as part of the process.

No formal policy or ordinance changes were voted on at the workshop. The only formal action recorded in the transcript was a procedural motion adopted at the start to set the agenda and allow a five-minute citizen-comment window (no public commenters spoke on the record). The commissioners repeatedly instructed staff to return with an RFP proposal and supporting analyses; the transcript does not show a formal, recorded vote awarding contracts, adopting a plan, or approving a specific developer.

Looking ahead, commissioners asked staff to draft an RFP that: explains the cityowned acreage to be offered (about 89 acres, as discussed), includes required public-engagement steps, requires a municipal financial-impact statement and infrastructure/maintenance plan, and includes traffic and parking impact analysis. Staff said they would return to commission with details after additional work and feedback.

The workshop adjourned to allow the commission to return for a proclamation and a separate public-hearing session later the same evening.