Decrease in apartment units draws planning commission approval in TDK proposal

An adjusted TDK Construction development plan with fewer apartments and more headquarter office space pleased most Murfreesboro planning officials Wednesday.

TDK reduced apartment plans from 274 to 232 along the southwest side of Medical Center Parkway and Robert Rose Drive. The company also increased office space from 50,000 to 60,000-65,000 for a future TDK headquarters in a five-story building.

Murfreesboro Planning Commission members Rick LaLance and Jami Averwater were in the minority in opposing the TDK project. The 13.70-acre development is estimated to be valued at over $100 million in the city's thriving commercial Gateway area off Interstate 24.

"Density impacts our property taxes," said LaLance, who also serves on the Murfreesboro City Council.

The majority backed a  5-2 vote to recommend the council approve the project. The council, which has final authority on zoning for land use, will consider the issue following a public hearing on the TDK project at a yet-scheduled meeting.

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LaLance also suggested concerns about the TDK project adding to the city's traffic congestion on Medical Center Parkway.

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TDK plans to also build a city connection road between Robert Rose Drive and The Avenue Murfreesboro shopping center, said Ross Bradley, vice president of development for a company that's been in Murfreesboro since 1982.

Bradley also said the project will include turn lanes off Medical Center Parkway to help traffic flow.

"We're not asking for any dollars from the city for the job growth or the jobs we're bringing for this development," Bradley said.

The development, including the apartment buildings, will be paying property taxes at a commercial 40% rate of assessed value, Bradley added.

TDK has built two other apartment complexes off Medical Center Parkway: Vintage at The Avenue with 203 units; and Vintage Gateway with 263 units.

The bottom floors of the proposed four-story buildings for the 232 apartments will include commercial spaces for shops, restaurants and offices. TDK also hopes to attract a full-service restaurant at the corner of Medical Center Parkway and Robert Rose Drive.

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TDK will be using about 19,000 square feet for its headquarters. This will leave over 40,000 square feet "Class A" office space needed to attract businesses to Medical Center Parkway, Bradley said.

The company plans to keep its existing headquarters in half of a 15,000-square-foot building at 1610 S. Church St. in Murfreesboro. Once staff relocate to future headquarters, TDK will have an additional 7,500 of office space available for lease at the Church Street location, Bradley added.

Bradley expects the project to take about three years with the headquarters completed first.

"We have rapidly grown as a company," said Bradley, whose company has over 70 employees. "We need to get started on the office first. We need space."

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LaLance also mentioned concerns about the whether the city's limited sewer capacity can handle the growth of more apartments. LaLance is in his eighth year on the council and decided against running for another four-year term Aug. 4.

Fellow councilman Shawn Wright also serves on the planning commission, and he supported the TDK project. He's not up for election this year.

Two other planning commissioners are campaigning to win seats on the council: Averwater and Warren Russell, who supported the TDK project. The top three candidates out of seven to earning at-large votes will win four year terms.

Five others are running:

• Madelyn Scales Harris, incumbent vice mayor

• Carolyn Cox

• Samrane Sourinho

• Austin Maxwell

• Ricky R. Turner

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips and questions by emailing sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden. 

About TDK Construction

• Company's current office: 1610 S. Church St. in Murfreesboro

• Size of company's Church Street building: 15,000

• Square feet used by TDK: 7,500

• Proposed future headquarters location: southwest side of Medical Center Parkway and Robert Rose Drive intersection

• Square feet of proposed new headquarters building: 60,000 to 65,000

• Square feet TDK will use in proposed building: 19,000

• Remaining proposed "Class A" office space square feet to be available for lease: Over 40,000

• Number of TDK employees: Over 70

• Number of states with TDK projects: 4

• Value of TDK properties: $820 million

• Value of TDK properties under construction: $418 million

• Value of TDK properties in the pipeline for future construction: $565 million

Source: Ross Bradley, vice president of development for TDK Construction

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Murfreesboro apartments: TDK project wins Planning Commission backing