Murfreesboro, TN – Murfreesboro city officials are envisioning a dramatic transformation for the heart of the city, with plans for a more vibrant, dynamic downtown area. The upcoming redevelopment of Northwest Broad Street, known as the “Keystone Project,” is poised to reshape the area, bringing new residential and retail spaces, along with a high-quality boutique hotel.
The $175 million capital investment will introduce several key components to the downtown landscape, including new residential units and retail opportunities. City officials have emphasized the importance of the boutique hotel, which will be developed through private investment on land behind City Hall, where the Water Resources Department currently stands.
According to Sam Huddleston, assistant city manager, this new hotel will be a significant addition to the area, helping to attract visitors and further energize the downtown environment. “A high-quality hotel is one of the things that our mayor, council, and many people downtown are excited about,” Huddleston said.
The project also includes relocating WGNS Radio, which will move across Vine Street to allow space for new development. Huddleston highlighted the importance of residential units in the area, stating that adding more housing will help extend the activation of the downtown space from early morning to late evening. “By adding that additional residential demand into the downtown market, we expand those hours of activation of our downtown space, say from maybe six in the morning to nine or 10 at night,” he explained.
One of the key features of the redevelopment will be a new pedestrian bridge that will improve connectivity and safety in the downtown area. Broad Street, a major thoroughfare with seven lanes, currently handles about 40,000 vehicles per day, creating potential conflicts between pedestrians and drivers at surface intersections. The new pedestrian bridge aims to eliminate these conflicts and make it safer for those moving on foot.
“Broad Street is a very significant mover of vehicles,” Huddleston noted. “This gives us an opportunity to eliminate pedestrian and vehicle conflict and make it much safer for the pedestrian.”
City leaders are optimistic that the Keystone Project will help boost tax revenue from the downtown area, making it an economic driver for the city. Construction is slated to begin in 2025, and officials are hopeful that the revitalized downtown will attract both residents and visitors, creating a thriving, more connected community.