Heritage Foundation of Williamson County to buy McConnell House, ditch Franklin Grove event space
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County is set to purchase the historic McConnell House, the organization confirmed Monday. With the purchase, the organization said it will not move forward with controversial plans to create a part-time events space on the Franklin Grove property.
“Until the McConnell House opportunity became available in February, we would not have been able to reimagine the Franklin Grove concept in such a way,” said Heritage Foundation president and CEO Bari Beasley.
“We are now positioned to fulfill our vision for Franklin Grove and create an entirely new offering through the McConnell House building. We are so pleased about this turn of events, and we look forward to sharing more information soon.”
The McConnell House property has seen several uses over the years and has most recently been a private events space owned by McConnell Hospitality Group. The Heritage Foundation entered negotiations to acquire the property in February and said they would continue to host Heritage Foundation and rental events there.
The Foundation also owns the Franklin Grove property, formerly the home of the O'More College of Design. The property now houses an innovation center for local entrepreneurs, and the organization floated further development ideas, including the construction of an education hall that could host Heritage Foundation and rental events.
That plan drew the ire of residents around the property, who worried that it would create excessive traffic on surrounding streets. Some residents formed a group called "Concerned Neighbors of Franklin Grove," and many posted signs in their yard that read "Franklin Grove / No Event Venues."
Members of Concerned Neighbors of Franklin Grove previously expressed support for the Heritage Foundation's purchase of the McConnell House.
"The parcel would be a more feasible location for an event venue, especially with the ample parking, than the previously proposed at Franklin Grove," a March 4 post on the group's Facebook page read. "There are still concerns that can be addressed, and we would welcome an opportunity to discuss with those in charge so that the history of this neighborhood remains intact."
Further expansion plans have not been confirmed, but the Heritage Foundation indicated that other previously announced plans are set to move forward.
"The new construction of a hall is not required to accomplish the vision of Franklin Grove," the press release read. "The Franklin Grove project will move forward with the current Franklin Innovation Center and the proposed art museum, natural gardens, educational programming and historic Lee-Buckner Rosenwald School."
Cole Villena covers Williamson County at The Tennessean, part of the USA Today Network — Tennessee. Reach Cole at cvillena@tennessean.com or 615-925-0493. Follow Cole on Twitter at @ColeVillena and on Instagram at @CVinTennessee.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Heritage Foundation to buy McConnell House, ditch Franklin Grove event space
