The Executive Subcommittee of the State Building Commission on Oct. 20 approved a long-term lease transferring responsibility for maintenance of the National Civil Rights Museum and the historic Lorraine Motel to the state.

Deputy Commissioner John Hall of the Department of General Services told the subcommittee the proposed agreement is a new, long-term 50-year lease with a renewal option for an additional 25 years and that the state will place the property into the facility revolving fund to provide ongoing maintenance. "We have been working closely with Dr. Wigginton's team and Ashley to create a new long term 50 year lease agreement with a renewal option for an additional 25 years," Hall said.

The National Civil Rights Museum Foundation will continue to operate the museum and the Lorraine Motel, and the state will assume the regular maintenance responsibility previously supported in part by an annual operating grant to the foundation. Hall said the existing lease between the state and the foundation will terminate if the new agreement is approved.

Dr. Russ Wigginton, president of the National Civil Rights Museum Foundation, addressed the subcommittee during consideration of the item and thanked members for the partnership. "The relationship between the Lorraine Motel and the state of Tennessee is a, I would argue, a model for other places in this country," Dr. Wigginton said.

The subcommittee unanimously approved the disposal by lease with a waiver of advertisement and appraisal. No member registered opposition.