After months of waiting, Murray has unveiled its plans for the former City Hall/Arlington School Site. The Murray City Council held a pivotal meeting on Nov. 15 where Murray Mayor Brett Hales announced the city's selection of the Triumph Group to redevelop the site of the location at 5025 South State Street. This 1.88 acre property was appraised at $14.3 million assuming high density multi-family housing development.

"After a rigorous selection process, I am presenting my final recommendation to move forward with the Triumph Group's proposal," stated Mayor Hales during the meeting.

Backstory Behind the Redevelopment

Previous to the announcement the city has been receiving feedback regarding what the city should do with the land. Historic preservationists decried the potential loss of the building that dates back to the 1930s when it was initially Arlington Elementary School. After the school closed in the 1980s, Murray City remodeled the interior to function as its new city hall. The Murray Redevelopment Agency (RDA) currently owns the land.

Looking to spark new growth, the RDA hired real estate marketing firm CBRE International earlier this year to facilitate proposals from private developers interested in redeveloping the site. The property that sits on prime land bordering State Street and Murray Park received 10 total proposals that were submitted by the May 31 deadline.

The RDA board then reviewed the proposals and recommended two top contenders to Mayor Hales and city staff for further negotiation.

Details of the Triumph Group's Winning Proposal

"I am recommending the Triumph Group for several reasons," Mayor Hales said at the meeting. After review and negotiation, Mayor Hales ultimately selected the Triumph Group, a prominent Murray-based developer, to move forward. While their offer of $9.52 million fell below the appraised land value, the proposal impressed in other areas.

Most notably, the plans include 180,000 square feet of medical office space intended to elevate Murray as a healthcare services destination. The anchor tenant would likely be Granger Medical Group, who has indicated serious interest in bringing their orthopedics, urgent care, imaging, and other specialty services to the development.

Two restaurants are also proposed at the base of a towering landmark structure. This tower will include a grand staircase leading to an observation deck, offering sweeping views and "creating a true community gathering place," Jeremy Lowry of the Triumph Group said.

Adjacent to the medical and dining facilities, plans call for 99 condominiums and townhomes units to provide owner-occupied housing options. The condominiums style closely resembles Arlington Schools façade.

Three levels of parking garages will accommodate tenants and visitors once complete. The lower garage will offer exclusive resident access while the upper levels will serve the office, restaurants, and public. 

This abundance of on-site parking was noted as a major benefit for the nearby Murray Theater. The historic theater is currently undergoing major renovations, but parking has been an ongoing challenge. With these new parking garages situated across the street, the theater will now have the public parking it desperately needs to accommodate larger audiences and spur growth. The garages will likely be bustling during weekday business hours but then open up evenings and weekends - aligning with peak theater attendance. The short walking distance between the two sites will likely provide a major boost to the theater as it has always lacked significant parking.

Dubbed the Murray Tower Plaza, the Triumph Group's proposal includes plans for a dynamic plaza area that aims to become a true community gathering space. Some key features they highlighted for the plaza are:

•  Flexible open space, Part of the plaza can be closed off for community events like health fairs, outdoor classes, and concerts. The open layout and proximity to parking allows for hosting large crowds.

• Landscaping. Landscaping like trees, fountains, and greenery will create an inviting urban park-like environment in the plaza.

• Seating areas. Benches, ledges, and tiered steps will offer plenty of seating for individuals to relax, work remotely, or gather in groups.

• Monument tower. The landmark staircase tower will be centrally located in the plaza as a distinctive architectural focal point.

•  Visual arts. The Triumph Group mentioned wanting to incorporate visual arts like murals and sculptures to enhance the plaza's aesthetics.

• History tribute. Historical tributes, plaques, and photos will pay homage to Murray's origins and the old City Hall's legacy.

Attention to Murray's History and Character

Beyond the structural plans, the Triumph Group emphasized designing an aesthetically cohesive development honoring Murray's character. The towering landmark aims to reflect Murray's historic architecture through its brickwork and detailing.

The condominiums and townhomes mirror styles found in adjacent neighborhoods such as the Jones Court and Myrtle Street quarters. Classic exterior materials like brick are used throughout to tie old and new together.

Jim Alldredge, an architect with the Triumph Group, said "As long-time Murray residents, we want to build something the community can take pride in for years to come."

The Triumph Group has indicated plans to salvage and repurpose some of the original bricks from the beloved Arlington building into the new towers and plazas. These bricks will pay homage to the building many locals were educated in and still cherish today.

Next Steps for the Development

Mayor Hales concluded by stating the proposal meets the city's needs for "lower density, tax revenue potential, medical office space, a landmark tower, owner-occupied housing, design principles in line with Murray's character, and energy efficiency."

With the council's support, the city will now negotiate a real estate purchase contract with the Triumph Group. This contract will go before the RDA board for final approval in December 2023. If approved, construction could begin soon after on this estimated 3-4 year phased project, starting with the parking garages. λ