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To: Johnson City, TN Mayor (Joe Wise); Johnson City, TN City Manager (Cathy Ball); Johnson City, TN County Commissioners (Todd Fowler, Jenny Brock, John Hunter, Aaron T. Murphy)

Ashe Street Courthouse Future

Johnson City Residents and the Southside Neighborhood Organization have significant interest in the future of Ashe Street Courthouse. As it is the only publicly owned building a part of the $33 Million West Walnut Street Corridor Redevelopment Plan, there can be significant public benefit to the residents of Johnson City and Southside Neighborhood. So much so, the Southside Neighborhood Organization donated $1,000 along with the Washington County Commission and Johnson City Development Authority's $2,500 each for the feasibility study. This kick started the conversation around preserving this historic building to a state that allows for Ashe Street Courthouse's charter of public benefit and community impact with community access to be realized.

We also want to thank Mayor Wise and his team for securing the $5 million funding from the state for the remodel, all their work on this project to date, and their commitment to realizing the Ashe Street Courthouse's potential.

On behalf of the constituents of my organization and the greater Johnson City residents, our ask is:

1. For a transparent RFP process.
2. All RFP bids are made public and hosted on the internet for the public to see prior to any selection.
3. The RFP Process has 5 - 9 board members with 50% or greater coming from a diverse background of work and experience related to the property and its history.
4. There is no plan for the property to be sold or conveyed to a non-government entity.
5. The property undergoes the same RFP process in the event the RFP winner/winners are unable to fulfill their contract.
6. The RFP take into account local Community Benefit and Community Access.

Why is this important?

For residents of Johnson City to have a say in the only publicly owned building on W. Walnut St., Johnson City, TN a part of the $33 Million investment to upgrade the corridor between downtown and ETSU.

Updates

2022-07-06 15:28:30 -0400

50 signatures reached

2022-07-06 10:56:59 -0400

25 signatures reached

2022-07-05 19:30:04 -0400

10 signatures reached