Warren County has begun the process to remove a reverter clause in its gift of land to Motlow State Community College.
The county Building and Grounds Committee met Tuesday to consider a resolution to rescind a sentence in the land transfer that required Motlow to return the land if the school did not obtain funding for its robotics expansion project.
“We put this sentence in here just in case Motlow didn’t get its funding for the center,” said Commissioner Carl E. Bouldin, committee chair. “This clause makes sure the land would come back to the county. They got their money so now we need to rescind this.”
A reverter clause is a conditional transfer. If the land is subject to the reverter clause and ceases to be used for its planned purpose – in this case, as an Advanced Robotics Center – the land transfers back to the grantor.
Motlow did receive a $5.5 million grant to fund the project in its entirety. According to preliminary design plans, it will be a 12,500-square-foot facility that has five classrooms. It will be located off Vo Tech Drive next to Tennessee College of Applied Technology on the land donated by the county.
“I wonder when they’ll have groundbreaking on the new building,” said Commissioner Kenny Roberts. “Do you know?”
Bouldin responded, “No sir, I do not.”
The resolution was unanimously approved by committee members and will be sent to the county Budget and Finance Committee prior to advancing to the full Warren County Commission for its consideration March 20.