Columbia City Council Approves $4.3M Purchase of Muletown Rec

Issue #299

14 Dec

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

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📰 Columbia City Council Approves $4.3M Purchase of Muletown Rec

📰 Maury County Among Top 5 for Investment in Tennessee

📌 Tonight: Christmas Candlelit Tour at the James K. Polk Museum

📌 Today: Second Saturday at The Factory at Columbia

👉 Check Out The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Maury County & More Here

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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Saturday, December 14th

Sunday, December 15th

Monday, December 16th

Tuesday, December 17th

Columbia City Council Approves $4.3M Purchase of Muletown Rec

Columbia City Council has approved the $4.3 million purchase of Muletown Rec, a recreational facility located at 1446 Oak Springs Drive. The decision, met with enthusiasm from attendees at City Hall, marks the culmination of a thorough evaluation process centered on the facility’s potential benefits for the community.

Muletown Rec has long been a community hub, despite challenges with maintenance costs and financial viability. In 2020, a grassroots fundraising effort raised over $350,000, ensuring the facility’s pools remained operational. For the past four years, the city has contributed $100,000 annually to support the complex, which includes three competitive pools.

City officials highlighted the purchase as a significant enhancement to Columbia’s Parks and Recreation offerings. The acquisition nearly triples the city’s indoor recreational space and adds competitive swimming capabilities with two indoor pools. Plans are in place for immediate updates, such as making the facility more ADA-compliant and addressing pool repairs. The city has budgeted $250,000 for these initial upgrades, with further investments anticipated for a new roof, HVAC system, and long-term improvements like conference spaces and partnerships with local organizations.

City leaders emphasized that the purchase will not impose additional strain on taxpayers, as funds are already allocated within the budget. The facility’s acquisition is seen as both a community investment and an opportunity to build on its existing legacy of public support.

Residents and employees of Muletown Rec voiced strong support for the purchase, citing its unique amenities, such as fitness classes and indoor pools, which serve people of all ages, from seniors to student-athletes. Many praised the sense of camaraderie and accessibility the center offers.

Muletown Rec’s history reflects a tradition of community-driven solutions. After facing potential closure in 2016, it was saved by a private owner and later revitalized through grassroots fundraising. City leaders and citizens alike see the purchase as a continuation of this legacy, ensuring the facility remains a vital resource for years to come.

Maury County Among Top 5 for Investment in Tennessee

A recent study by financial tech company Smartasset identified the Middle Tennessee counties with the highest levels of investment activity. The analysis evaluated business establishment growth, gross domestic product (GDP) growth, and new building permits to rank counties statewide.

Davidson County claimed the top spot in Tennessee, showcasing an 8.6% increase in business growth, a GDP rise of $7,661, and 15.85 new building permits per 1,000 homes. It was followed by Wilson, Williamson, Maury, and Montgomery counties in the top five. Maury County achieved the fourth-highest incoming investment index in Tennessee at 27.63.

Rutherford, Robertson, Knox, Trousdale, and Marshall counties rounded out the top ten, with investment index scores ranging from 25.77 to 27.02.

The study combined various metrics to gauge investment activity. Business growth was measured by the number of establishments launched over a three-year period, reflecting entrepreneurial activity in each county. Real estate growth was assessed through the issuance of new building permits per 1,000 homes, while GDP growth (adjusted for inflation) highlighted economic expansion. These metrics were aggregated into a final ranking, assigning the highest-performing county a score of 100 and the lowest a score of zero.

This analysis sheds light on the economic vitality of Middle Tennessee and highlights the areas experiencing the greatest influx of business and development.

Tonight: Christmas Candlelit Tour at the James K. Polk Museum

Immerse yourself this holiday season at the James K. Polk museum for an unforgettable Victorian Candlelit Christmas. This guided tour of the Polk Home will discuss Christmas traditions of the time, how James and Sarah Polk celebrate and more. Stick around for some holiday shopping and a sweet treat in our gift shop!

Dec. 14th & 21st at 6:00 PM
301 W. 7th St., Columbia

Today: Second Saturday at The Factory at Columbia

Join us for a Christmas themed Second Saturday and shop at some of your favorite small businesses and eateries. 

Saturday, December 14,2024

11am-3pm *shops/eateries open reg. hours

11am-2pm *Santa pictures printed on site

30 + artisans, makers & bakers

free admission 

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, December 14th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7 PM
Murphy Ridge, The Rebel, 5 PM
Foster Party of Eight, The Mulehouse, 7 PM
Stevierock, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Outlaw Apostles, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Bald Kernal, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, December 15th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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