Sumner County to restore Comer Barn as commissioners approve $500K in funding
Andy Humbles
Sumner County will move forward on a plan to preserve an abandoned stable known as the Comer Barn after commissioners accepted a $250,000 state appropriation that the county will match.
The goal for the initial $500,000 total startup money is to secure the structure, stabilize it, put on a new roof and possibly add new windows, said Sumner County Commissioner Deanne DeWitt, who has been a leader in the restoration effort.
The barn is part of the Comer property on Nashville Pike near State Route 386. The barn has a Gallatin address, but is essentially between Gallatin and Hendersonville.
The surrounding property, just over 17 acres, is owned by the Rogers Group, which operates an adjacent quarry. The barn itself was sold for $10 to the county in 2016.
DeWitt will lead a committee that will finalize the deed with Rogers Group and will work on identifying the best ways to use the barn with community input, she said. DeWitt has also started a fundraising campaign through a GoFundMe account in the absence of being able to hold events because of COVID-19.
One idea that "has gained the most traction" is to convert Comer Barn into some type of farmer's market venue, DeWitt said. However, nothing has been finalized and an educational facility, art center, concert space and agricultural events have also been discussed, officials said.
There have been concerns about using public money to restore Comer Barn and making it into some type of event venue to compete with private business.
"No one is pushing for an event center," DeWitt said.
But Commissioner Jeremy Mansfield believes several issues weren't adequately addressed before funding was approved that include clarification on the intended use of the Comer Barn.
Mansfield also hoped for a written agreement with Rogers Group to clarify company intentions moving forward, including any deed and lease revisions.
"None of these items were done prior to our meeting, yet a majority of your commissioners voted yes to approve it anyway," Mansfield wrote in a post on his commissioner page.
Sumner County has an annual $100 lease for the 17 acres surrounding the barn that includes the old Comer Mansion where the county tourism department operates. The tourism department sub-leases the former Comer Mansion, DeWitt said.
The land lease goes through 2027 will be renewed without ceasing on intervals consistent with Rogers Group's conditional use permit to operate the quarry, which DeWitt expects could continue for 100 years, she said.
Mansfield pushed for the land to be turned over to the county outright.
Rogers Group has committed to providing the stone and paving to construct a permanent drive and parking lot for the barn's future use, DeWitt said.
"Rogers Group has been a great partner and corporate citizen in this endeavor," DeWitt said. "I want to see it as a thriving destination, but I'm open to what makes most sense economically."
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.