Historic preservation vs development in Murfreesboro

Historic preservation is not an easy task. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and meticulous. That’s why in areas like Murfreesboro, historic preservation has a difficult time standing up against the constant flow of development.

I sat down and talked with Bill Jakes, owner of Bill Jakes Realty in Murfreesboro, about the struggles of historic preservation and development. As a member of Murfreesboro’s Historic Zoning Commission (HZC), Jakes said he understands the conflict and looks to see a balance created one day between developer and preservationist.

Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro is an example of historic preservation gone well but with a constant need of community support

1. How did you become a member of the Historic Zoning Commission here in Murfreesboro?

“You’re appointed by the mayor for that position. So, Mayor McFarland called me up…and invited me to be a member, and I was thrilled. So, I said yes immediately.”

2. Do you have a background in history?

“Personally, I do—not through school. It was not something I focused on when I attended MTSU. But it became more of just a personal hobby…I have a construction background and I moved into our downtown area around 1989…I started collecting old postcards, and I published a book in 2006 that was about Murfreesboro through the eyes of these postcards. So that was probably the real [reason].”

3. So what’s your motivation to continue with historic preservation?

“Well, it’s mainly the growth in this town. And, my family history. My family’s been here since the 1830s and I feel an obligation to save some things. Of course, I’m in real estate, you know, development and re-development is important…But I think that’s what really tipped it for me—the personal obligation to save things in our town. I often think about how my grandfather and great-grandfather walked around the same courthouse square that I do.”

4. What are some challenges historic preservationists face along with growth?

“Just the fact that property values are rising…people are afraid to make that investment because you’re investing more in the old house. That’s coupled with the fact that the lot is now worth a lot more. The lot could be redeveloped and, you know, split in two and two homes could go on it, which is something we want to see—for our density to grow…but to balance that with preservation is hard.”

5. But we want to see smart growth. Are you in favor of that?

“Well, I’m in favor of it. I was actually also on our 2053 Committee and the studies that that committee did all agree that we want to see higher density, more affordable housing…but, again, to balance that with preservation just becomes difficult. You know, some of these homes that need to be preserved have been let go too far and the ones that have been chopped up into rental properties just haven’t had the on-going maintenance. It’s hard to justify spending more to repair a house than it is to just build a new house. So, we’ve reached that little tipping point.”

6. How do you see to raise the awareness of preserving our history?

“That’s a really good question because it’s getting hard. While people online seem to be interested and seem to say all the words--that we want to save our past--nobody’s really doing the leg work. Certainly, Dr. West at MTSU and all the people that study under him—those people are making it…I host these meetings, these APTA meeting, and, you know, the young people don’t show…”