The Commission’s Buildings and Land Committee is proposing the sale of the county’s Peerless Road property, about 6.5 acres. The Farmer’s Market, cannery, show barn, recycling center and Parks and Recreation offices are located at the site and would require relocation.

The property, which has been appraised at $1.5 million, is the final piece of the old 408-acre Bradley County Farm which was purchased in 1891 for $5,150 plus $62 in taxes.

Researching after a request from Bradley County Commissioner Jeff Yarber at Monday’s Commission meeting, Frady said he does not know of any stipulations on the property (that it has to be used for agricultural activities and/or programs). Frady said he did not find any reason the property cannot be sold.

Buildings and Land committee members, and later the full Commission, authorized County Mayor D. Gary Davis to advertise the land for sale. Committee members are hoping to receive bids prior to a follow-up meeting Feb. 20 to see if the tentative plans are feasible.

Facilities on the property would be relocated elsewhere and the Agricultural Committee approved most of those plans Thursday.

If an offer on the Peerless property is acceptable to the Commission, the Farmer’s Market and cannery are expected to be moved to county property near the Industrial Park on Urbane Road.

The proposal, embraced by the Agricultural Committee Thursday, would construct a 50-foot by 150-foot facility. One end of the building would house an enlarged cannery about twice the size of the Peerless Road operation with new or up-graded equipment. The Peerless Road cannery was built in 1977 and is currently managed by Retha Odom.

The opposite end of the facility would be an open-air, covered Farmer’s Barn — which the farmers have never had.

Separating these two facilities would be restrooms and a storage area.

Frady said there has been some opposition to the change of location for the Farmer’s Market, saying it’s too far away (from the Peerless Road site). “It’s only about two miles from where we are now,” he emphasized.

Another possible advantage of the change in relocation of the Farmer’s Market is it will be located just north of the Senior Activity Center and the YMCA with increased opportunities for buyers and sellers. Ag committee members emphasize parking and traffic are a continual problem on Peerless Road.

Frady and Bradley County engineer Sandra Knight are to compile architectural plans and cost estimates for the building.

Another part of the proposed relocation is to move the show barn to Tri-State Exhibition Center at Exit 20 off Interstate 75.

Building and Land Committee members approved a proposal to build a replacement barn the same size as the facility on Peerless Road. Frady and Agricultural Committee members have a more ambitious proposal.

The Ag committee approved a motion to design plans for an exact replacement but also are recommending preliminary planning for a more expansive facility with a meeting room.

Frady traveled to Bedford County (Shelbyville) recently to look at that community’s facility.

Commissioner Louie Alford, who has been nominated to serve on the Agricultural Committee, said Tri-State officials have discussed the possibility of the show barn relocation and are very receptive — although final plans have not been decided.

Frady said it is important the Extension Office continues to schedule activities for the show barn if it is relocated to Tri-State.

Extension Agent Larry Mitchell said a larger show barn, with a meeting room, could be used for a greater number of horse and cattle events, such as roping competition and cutting-horse shows. He said a meeting room would be a huge benefit to the community and could be leased for weddings, parties and small-animal events.

The facility could also be used for the Bradley County Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductions, political activities and other agricultural endeavors.

Frady handed out photos of the Bedford County facility and discussed some of its activities during the year. He said a show last year had 200 animals at the Shelbyville show barn.

The committee is considering an open meeting for Bradley County’s agricultural community to get more input from stakeholders who use the Peerless facilities. This meeting will not be scheduled until after the Feb. 20 Buildings and Land meeting — to see if the proposal to sell the property will move ahead.

Frady also discussed the fact county officials are looking at another advantage for using revenue from the sale of the Peerless Road property. If money remains after relocation of all Peerless facilities, the proposal is to look at the possibility of purchasing the old chair factory on Blue Springs Road for a county garage and other needs.

The Parks and Recreation offices from Peerless Road could be located in the 67,000-square-foot building. A county garage is expected to take about 10,000 square feet with a renovation cost estimated at $130,000. This would leave considerable room for additional county office space.

The only other facility to be relocated from Peerless Road would be the recycling center. It is believe this operation could remain near its current location on county property near the Bradley County Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

Attending Thursday’s Agricultural Committee meeting were Frady and members Brenda Carder, Brian Beaty, Dwight Burke and Bradley County Commissioners Roy Smith and Bill Ledford.

The committee nominated Kathy Ownby to fill a vacancy from the farming community and selected Alford to a vacancy to one of three commission seats. The Commission must approve these appointments. Burke was elected committee chairman and a secretary will be named at later meeting.