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Hamilton County to seek bids for Center South Riverport property after $4 million threshold
Summary
County leaders said Parker Towing, the long‑time operator, offered up to $3.5 million and county staff recommends an RFP with a $4 million floor; TDOT reviewed 1988 documents and sent an approval letter. County officials said proceeds would be earmarked for local Future Ready Centers.
Hamilton County officials announced they will seek competitive proposals to dispose of a portion of county‑owned property at the Center South Riverport Industrial Park after a private operator expressed interest in buying the parcel.
County Mayor: "They made a 2 and a half million dollar informal offer," and later returned with a $3.5 million bid, the county mayor said, adding that staff advised the commission a $4,000,000 figure would be the threshold at which the county would take an offer "very seriously." The mayor said the county identified language in 1988 documents requiring Tennessee Department of Transportation review and that the TDOT commissioner has sent a letter approving the proposed sale after reviewing the documents.
Why it matters: The parcel has been privately operated by Parker Towing since 1994; selling the property would potentially place the land back on the tax rolls and—per the mayor—generate proceeds that the county proposes to reinvest in career and training facilities called Future Ready Centers.
Details and process: County staff said they intend to issue a new request for proposals (RFP) and set the floor price at $4,000,000 to reflect current market discussions. Todd Lehman, a county staff member who addressed process questions, said Parker Towing currently operates the site under a lease that runs through 2027 and would not be granted an automatic right of first refusal; instead, the operator could submit a purchase proposal alongside other bidders.
Commissioners pressed staff on financial and operational details. Commissioner Sharp asked whether the county is currently collecting property taxes on the parcel; staff replied that the county receives rent and a tonnage (warpage) fee and estimated total quarterly receipts of roughly $15,000–$25,000. Staff estimated the area subject to disposal is about 17 acres but cautioned the county will need to subdivide the parcel and confirm specifics. Commissioners also asked who built waterfront infrastructure and whether taxpayers purchased a large crane on site; staff said some port infrastructure dates to the late 1980s and early 1990s and that records show a prior resolution considered PIP funds for crane purchase but the grant was not fulfilled.
Next steps: County officials said they will prepare an RFP with a $4,000,000 minimum and include language expressing a preference for proposals that commit to expanding the port's infrastructure. The commission will revisit the matter when the RFP returns to the body for consideration.
