Johnson City Commission votes to donate police car to N.C., approves ETSU Ashe Street lease
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Johnson City Commission hosted a meeting on Thursday to approve a police car donation and an East Tennessee State University (ETSU) lease agreement.
The commission voted to declare a 2015 Ford Explorer surplus and donate it to the Spruce Pine Police Department in North Carolina. Hurricane Helene destroyed Spruce Pine's entire sewer system and other infrastructure.
The Johnson City Commission partnered with East Tennessee State University (ETSU) to approve a five-year lease agreement for the old courthouse at 401 Ashe Street. The annual lease payment will be $64,800.
Assistant City Manager Alicia Summers said the new lease agreement would benefit the college community.
Johnson City Commission approves initial plan for data center rezoning
Also at the meeting, residents voiced concerns about an initial plan for data center rezoning that was approved on May 1.
The building will be utilized by the Department of Art and Design, the Reece Museum, Appalachian Studies and the College of Business and Technology's Entrepreneurship Center.
The commission approved an Economic Impact Plan for the Brush Creek (Burlington Mill) Development Project.
The commission proclaimed June 1-7 as Garden Week in Johnson City.
Five bids were discussed at the meeting, including the addition of portable and mobile radios for the Johnson City Public Works Department.
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