Affordable housing, Tennessee recreation leaders gather in Murfreesboro, more 'In the City'

"In the City" features the Murfreesboro Housing Authority Mercury Park project this month. New affordable housing for low-income residents is taking shape with help from the City's Community Development HOME grant funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The December "In the City" also takes viewers to the annual gathering of the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA) for a conference hosted by the City of Murfreesboro. A new downtown historical marker at 126 South Maple notes the spot to remember 'Mink Slide,' a special Black Business District at South Maple and Vine streets. Michael Linn White reports on the latest effort by the African American Heritage Society of Rutherford County to keep history alive.

"In the City" is airing on CityTV, Facebook, YouTube, and other City platforms throughout the month of December. "In the City" airs on CityTV throughout the month at 8:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and 10:30 p.m. Watch the news magazine anytime on the City of Murfreesboro's YouTube channel https://youtu.be/g6AK3Vw6wH0 and Facebook page. Here are YouTube links to individual stories featured on this month's "In the City":

• Visit the latest project of the Murfreesboro Housing Authority (MHA) known as Mercury Park Phase I under construction near downtown Murfreesboro as MHA CEO Thomas Rowe and Murfreesboro Community Development Director Robert Holtz explain the funding and eligibilities https://youtu.be/ZvVaDoR9o7c?si=KREWH1S_AtoSsqqz
• A place and culture known as 'Mink Slide' now has a special marker to note its presence and impact in Murfreesboro. The African American Heritage Society of Rutherford County is committed to discovering, preserving, teaching, and sharing the heritage and history of African Americans. Learn more from Mary Watkins and Josie Wade in this report by Michael Linn White https://youtu.be/_0Ktc0hiQXo?si=8VcWr_x2XOX9fe1K
• Steve Burris has the latest update on the Daylighting Town Creek Project with the removal of gas tanks along NW Broad Street https://youtu.be/_85udMsNlxw?si=_shVVCU3D1cH8S9K
• Find out what the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA) is all about and why TRPA professionals gathered in Murfreesboro for four days last month https://youtu.be/gyZWthOw13g?si=81Y-L100ww1AZ0Ao
• The Citizens Fire Academy welcomes citizens to learn about the life-saving services of Murfreesboro Fire Rescue with firsthand experience. Steve Burris reports on the largest citizen class ever with Fire Marshal Brian Lowe https://youtu.be/uKER3okV91Q?si=3BMdOvfZ6j94t72o
• Engine No. 5 at MFRD Station 5 is now in service to serve the City of Murfreesboro. Michael Linn White interviews Chief Mark McCluskey about all the features of the new investment https://youtu.be/r8KeHKnh_Os?si=aZt71dIRu4x802S0
• Meet "Turbo," featured in the Rutherford County PAWS Pet of the Month. For more information, contact PAWS at [email protected] or call 615-898-7740. Also, "In the City" reminds property owners that taxes are due by December 31, 2024, without incurring interest charges. For questions, call the Tax Department at 615-893-5210.
• And Drive-through Christmas at Cannonsburgh Village kicks off Dec. 6 and runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings through Dec. 22.

The City of Murfreesboro is conducting a Special Census campaign, "Count Me In," to count, verify and certify an accurate count of all residents. Simply go to www.murfreesborocensus.com or link through the QR Code to be counted with your address and the first and last names of everyone living in your household. Watch Mayor Shane McFarland explain the economic and tax benefits of being counted in this YouTube video https://youtu.be/0PPgtDRaDco?si=G7UgbO40MCiEijyr. The Fire Rescue Department will visit households who don't respond.

CityTV's Steve Burris produces "In the City" at the studios in Murfreesboro City Hall. View Murfreesboro CityTV on Comcast Xfinity Channels 3 and 1094, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Mobile devices and the City website www.murfreesborotn.gov/citytv.

For all the latest City news, visit www.murfreesborotn.gov or watch the most recent newsbreaks and past episodes of "In the City" on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/cityofmurfreesboro or https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/videos.

For City News online, visit www.Murfreesborotn.gov.