TSU Still Expecting May Family Land Gift, But Location Uncertain

The family proposing to build a massive development known as May Town Center remains committed to giving Tennessee State University 250 acres for a research park. That’s even while the larger project has failed to pass the Metro Planning Commission.

The May family owns roughly 1,500 acres in Bells Bend, now zoned for agriculture. They haven’t given TSU any of the land just yet. Jack May told a meeting of Metro Council members and university officials they’re waiting to finalize the location for the proposed research park and farm in case May Town doesn’t get out of the ground.

“TSU as well as myself may say, you know what, if there’s no May Town Center, you might be able to farm better over here better even though the probably reality is there would be no project there.”

TSU hasn’t specifically said the research park is dead without May Town Center. Building a standalone research park would still require a zoning change. And right now, there is no road access to the 250 acre plot.

While the land transaction hasn’t been finalized, the May family has given $400,000 to attract a world-class researcher to the proposed park.