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Commission approves intent to negotiate purchase of 306 Beasley Drive for county space needs
Summary
After debate about using existing county property, the commission voted 22-1 to authorize the mayor to negotiate terms to buy a 123,000-square-foot building at 306 Beasley Drive for $4.5 million as a potential administrative/operations site.
Commissioner Green moved and the commission approved Resolution 50822, a resolution of intent authorizing the Williamson County mayor to negotiate terms to buy property at 306 Beasley Drive in Franklin, the former Williamson Precision Metals site. Green told the board the building is roughly "123,000 plus square feet" on about 12.56 acres and said the county had reached agreeable terms at $4,500,000 after appraisals above $5 million.
The vote followed extended debate. Commissioner Brockman urged the board to consider whether the county should instead invest in renovating Fleming Hall and noted the county already owns the Battle Ground Academy property. Mayor Rogers Anderson and other commissioners outlined space pressures at the administrative complex and argued the Beasley property could provide warehouse, parking and departmental office space, and potential connections to existing county operations, including the sheriff’s department and the ALC center.
Commissioner Davis said he would support the purchase reluctantly because the county lacks a comprehensive plan for either the Beasley property or some existing county parcels. Critics asked for clearer plans before final purchase; supporters emphasized that the negotiated price and current market conditions made buying advantageous.
The resolution passed on a recorded vote of 22-1; the lone no vote was cast by a commissioner concerned about prioritizing existing county properties. The approval authorizes negotiations only; any final purchase, financing or renovation would require subsequent board approvals and budget action.
Next steps: the mayor is authorized to negotiate terms; the commission anticipates bringing any purchase agreement and financing plan back for formal approval.
