Murfreesboro mayor apologizes for comments about historic Cannonsburgh Village

Murfreesboro officials read "Don't Move Cannonsburgh!" signs held by audience members Thursday while they discussed a proposed minor league baseball park.

Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland won applause from the packed audience when he pledged that the city will not harm the historic Cannonsburgh Village but only improve the Murfreesboro government recreation property and structures that date back to 1800s.

The mayor upset supporters of Cannonsburgh the previous week by suggesting in an online statement the city might consider relocating the village to another city park because of concerns about homelessness, crime and declining attendance.

"I apologize for (the) social media post," McFarland told the audience.

The mayor and the other six members of the Murfreesboro City Council avoided any vote on the proposed baseball park during the meeting. The elected officials, however, did suggest that staff pursue an economic impact study on building a baseball park. The estimated ballpark would cost $30 million to $40 million to build for an American Association of Professional Baseball expansion team, said Jason Rose, self-proclaimed majority owner.

McFarland and the council members also heard Lisa Cisco, who established a "Save Cannonsburgh Village" Facebook group page, tell them that more than 2,000 people had signed an online petition.

"I'll sign the petition," the mayor said. McFarland also told the audience that he's been a Murfreesboro resident since moving to the city in 1992.

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Proposed baseball team may have Middle Tennessee rival

The league seeks to start new rival teams in Murfreesboro and Clarksville, Tennessee, by Spring 2026, Commissioner Josh Schaub told the city officials. He suggested the league would be interested in a 20-year lease with a 10-year extension option.

The average league ticket price for 12 current teams is $12. The average cost for a family of four to go to a game and enjoy a hotdog and beverage is $68, which is less than the $225 average for a major league game, Schaub said.

League game attendance has averaged 2,668 for teams playing 51 regular season home games, Schaub said.

PHOTOS: Cannonsburgh Village: 'It has charm'

The proposed baseball park needs about 4.5 acres for a stadium that would seat about 4,500 fans, Rose said.

Rose sees architecture, engineering and the economic impact study as being the three key issues for building a ball park that would complement Cannonsburgh Village with a design that's different and "uniquely Murfreesboro."

Councilman Austin Maxwell wants voter referendum for ballpark

The economic impact study could involve the city protecting taxpayers by establishing a sports authority to finance the ballpark and manage the lease, Councilman Shawn Wright said.

"A sports authority has the rights to pull bonds that the city and the taxpayers aren't held liable for," Wright said after the meeting.

State law would also allow the city through a sports authority to keep all sales taxes collected on the proposed ballpark, McFarland said.

Another option Councilman Austin Maxwell backs is for the city voters to decide on the paying for the ballpark proposal through a referendum.

"I can only support a project that does not adversely affect Cannonsburgh but instead enhances it while providing a facility at no cost to the taxpayer now or in the future," Maxwell said after the meeting.

Maxwell also said he was encouraged by the discussion by all parties at the meeting and looks forward to continued dialogue as a council.

"A sports authority that funds this at no cost to the taxpayer is preferred and if not possible, and we have to go the route of using taxpayer funds, we should have a referendum for all of our citizens voting yes or no to weigh in on this decision and ultimately vote yes or no on a $30 million project," Maxwell said.

Rose, however, said he'd rather not be involved in a divisive referendum to build a ballpark.

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Audience members challenge mayor on his homelessness comments

The council also heard public comments on the issues from audience members, including 10-year-old Linus Cadenhead of Murfreesboro who asked the city officials not to tear down Cannonsburgh Village.

"I've been going to Cannonsburgh since I was a baby," Linus said. "It's so old even my mother (Heather Cadenhead) went there as a child."

The mother thanked Maxwell for speaking up about protecting the taxpayers. She also suggested it's a myth to say that attendance has decreased at Cannonsburgh Village and questioned McFarland about how the proposed ballpark, specifically, would solve the homelessness crisis.

Resident Clarence Santini mentioned that he's had great memories at Cannonsburgh Village since moving from Michigan to Murfreesboro in 1977. He also challenged city officials about how they should view the homeless as our problem rather than a problem.

"They are our brothers and sisters in Christ," Santini said.

McFarland said the city has been working with groups helping the homeless, such as the Journey Home and Green House Ministries.

"I'm not trying to be callous," McFarland said.

Part of the issue for the city is keeping children and adults safe on the Stones River Greenway and at Kids Castle playground and McKnight Park, the mayor added.

The Murfreesboro Police Department have had 24 calls for service at Cannonsburgh Village so far in 2023, spokesman Larry Flowers said. MPD in 2022 had 29 calls for service at the village.

"The Murfreesboro Police Department Homeless Outreach Support Team (HOST) and Parks officers work daily dealing with unsheltered people in the city," Flowers said. "The Cannonsburgh Village is one of the areas they focus a lot of attention to deter illegal activity, while providing resources to those in the homeless community.  HOST members and Parks officers make numerous self-initiated contacts with unsheltered individuals, and most do not generate a call for service."

Vice mayor asks staff to allow events to return to Cannonsburgh Village

Audience members also questioned why the city has cancelled people from booking events at Cannonsburgh Village.

City Manager Craig Tindall said the cancelled events are in part because the city is working on two projects. One involves city plans to realign the Front Street intersection with Broad and Vine streets near the village. The other project pertains to the daylighting of the Town Creek, which has been in underground pipes for several decades. The city plans to build trails along the creek that leads to Cannonsburgh Village and the greenway.

Vice Mayor Bill Shacklett asked staff if the city can allow small events again at Cannonsburgh Village, such as weddings. Many in the audience applauded Shacklett's suggestion.

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. Follow his tweets on the X social media platform @ScottBroden. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Murfreesboro mayor apologizes for comments about historic village