Despite closing its Bartlett location more than 2 1/2 years ago, the presence of Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home remains visible in the suburb.

The nonprofit’s sign is seen numerous times throughout the vacant 74-acre property located north of the U.S. 70/Stage Road junction, which has the appearance of TBCH being temporarily closed or one of a mini-ghost town.

Pancreatic cancer silences voice of longtime Bartlett pastor

That could be changing with growing interest in the property, according to Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald.

“We have some interested developers,” McDonald said. “It’s too early in the discussion to make anything formal.”

The former TBCH site, located at 6896 U.S. 70, is considered a prime location in Bartlett due to its high-acreage and proximity to both U.S. Highways 64 and 70.

The Brentwood-based organization closed its Bartlett location in spring 2018 citing financial problems as it streamlined its statewide operation. TBCH continues to have a presence in Shelby County with its The Ranch at Millington location.

TBCH homes that once housed children in need of one for nearly 70 years are empty in addition to the cottages, office spaces, residences and recreational field and ballpark where those same kids played.

Greg McCoy, president/treasurer of TBCH, wrote in an email he’s surprised by the lack of interest in the property since the nonprofit closed operations there. While TBCH hopes to sell the property when feasible, the starting price remains $3 million, as it was in 2018.

Baptist eyes summer construction start for new Arlington ER

“We will be patient in waiting for the right offer at the right time,” McCoy said in an email.

The vacant property is zoned office-residential. McDonald believes a mixed-use development remains best for the area. He envisions a mix of condominiums, townhouses, single-family homes with retail.

“Something like that is what our community needs,” McDonald said. “Keeping our young people here and have places where our empty nesters can go without cutting grass, doing maintenance work on a house.”

Sewer service remains a significant hurdle for a potential buyer of the former Children’s Home’s site. In August 2017, the city of Memphis put a moratorium on new sewer connections outside of the city that includes Bartlett.

McDonald said one potential solution is a buyer could build a septic system that would flow into the sewer system during off peak hours. While it would add costs to the development, he said it’s “certainly doable.”

McDonald remains confident the vacant property will benefit Bartlett in the long-term as Shelby County’s second largest city seeks to expand further as a multi-generational community.

“You have to be growing as a city to be successful,” he said.