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Commissioners weigh lease option, short-term fixes for Judicial Center parking; lease option, paving costs discussed
Summary
Committee discussed a lease-option presented by a private landowner to add roughly 32 parking spaces adjacent to the Judicial Center, plus other possible measures (buying land, shuttle service, reconfiguring existing lots). Commissioners stressed ownership and long-term solutions before investing in lot improvements.
Maury County commissioners examined multiple short- and long-term options for addressing chronic parking shortages at the Judicial Center during the May 5 Building Committee meeting, including a lease-option from a neighboring landowner, repaving estimates for a smaller lot, and using existing county-owned land.
The mayor reported that the adjoining property owner had offered a 10-year lease-option for a parcel to the right of his building; the proposal would give the county use of roughly the space equivalent to about 32 parking spots after grading and paving. Under the terms described to the committee, the lease would carry no charge for years 1–2, then modest rent escalating to $20,000 per year by years 9–10. The county would be responsible for site preparation (grading, paving and stormwater work): Ken McKee’s quick estimate in committee was about $65,000 to grade and pave 32 spaces, plus engineering and stormwater costs.
Commissioners emphasized ownership before investment. Commissioner Pavetti said the county should not invest in improvements on leased land without a clear option to purchase. “I would not vote to lease it without a purchase option on there because I also think, I mean, we need to be good stewards of the taxpayers money,” the mayor said; commissioners echoed that view.
Other options discussed - Use of an existing county-owned parcel adjacent to the courthouse (near the bookstore) surfaced repeatedly. Some commissioners urged converting that county-owned lot into parking rather than leasing private land. - A permanent solution such as acquiring larger adjoining parcels (the log cabin property was noted as listed at about $550,000) was discussed as an alternative to small, piecemeal additions. - Shuttle service and staggered court scheduling were raised as operational responses to reduce peak parking demand. County staff said judicial leadership was exploring operational adjustments and that any shuttle or rental solution would come back as a formal request if funds were required.
Why it matters: attendees said the shortage affects residents with mobility issues, visitors and jurors. Commissioner Broadenbaugh described seeing an elderly citizen forced to walk several blocks to the courthouse and urged that the county find a lasting solution rather than incremental fixes.
Motions and next steps No binding lease was approved on May 5. Commissioners directed staff to obtain more precise cost and ownership information (engineering estimates, lease-purchase terms and a clearer map of county-owned parcels) and to work with judicial staff on operational fixes. Commissioners also asked for clarification of bids and warranties if paving work is proposed. The committee did not approve large investments at the May 5 meeting; several members asked staff to bring back a firm option that includes a purchase option or a county-owned-parcel approach.
