We have a Metro Council meeting tonight. You can review proposed amendments and analysis of the agenda. There is a public comment period.
Yesterday, the mayor and the Titans announced a proposal to build a new, enclosed stadium for the Titans that includes a $1.3b public subsidy. It would renegotiate an existing liability under the terms of that new subsidy, which would be the largest pro football stadium subsidy on record in the U.S.
I don't yet have much to share about the terms of the deal because we haven't seen it yet, and there is apparently more to come on some proposed community benefits, as well.
We might not get an easy answer to the most important question of all: what is the actual legal liability Metro currently faces under the current lease terms.
It appears we have accepted the state's offer to issue $500m in new debt on our behalf if we create an enclosed stadium as part of the proposal.
The proposal will give us plenty to think about and discuss in terms of risk, priorities, and evaluating the quality of deals.
What's Happening
- Elections and Confirmations
- Council will elect a new member of the Health and Educational Facilities Board, which will be where a new affordable housing tool gets tested. I'm impressed by the nominees and have had a difficult time making a decision. [22-270]
- We were able to have a residents meeting for Spence Manor, but now we need to have a broader community meeting before I consider approving a request for a waiver from distance requirements for a non-owner-occupied short-term rental permit. I'll be deferring this item once again. [RS2022-1689]
- I'm excited that our fight to elevate the priority of Vision Zero along the Nolensville Rd corridor—among the most dangerous in Nashville—has resulted in funding that can be used as part of a federal grant application. [RS2022-1819]
- I'll be interested to hear further discussion of a proposal to dedicate some convention center funding to affordable housing. [BL2022-1381]
- We're still discussing how best to ensure that neighborhoods across the city get access to traffic calming proposals. One thing is clear: almost every neighborhood wants motorists to drive more slowly. [BL2022-1384]
- I support making sidewalk cafés a permanent option after COVID. [BL2022-1405]
- I'm deferring a wayfinding modernization conversation until we're further with our downtown mobility study. [BL2022-1410]
- Having been sued without merit, I understand the basis of offering some legal protection for board and commission members. [BL2022-1450]
- Considering the mayor's strong opposition to privatization of our parking management as he was running for mayor, I'm surprised he's presenting a proposal to do just that. [BL2022-1475]
What's Coming
- Not much of note for at least one meeting!
What I'm Hearing
- Salemtown residents were more frustrated than maybe ever before by the impact of Oktoberfest, with the 5k trapping motorists in the neighborhood with no outlet and a large number of cars getting towed. I'm working with neighborhood leaders to try to resolve some tension and work toward significant changes next year.
- We continue to see disturbing patterns of property crime, with a recent series of car windows getting smashed out in both Germantown and Salemtown.
What I've Been Up To
- I enjoyed some time with family during fall break and gathering with neighbors and residents at the seemingly thousands of fall festivals in Nashville.
What You Can Do
- Help our community partners who work hard to protect the unsheltered when it gets cold, which it has this week.
- Vote! Early voting starts tomorrow! Tennessee remains a state with among the lowest voter turnout ratios of all 50 states. Even if you're disillusioned by politicians, it's still worth voting on some key constitutional amendments. But I can think of plenty of reasons to vote in state and federal races, too ...
I hope you got a chance to enjoy the weather before the cold snap.
My best ...
--
Freddie O'Connell
Metro Council, District 19
Mayoral Candidate, 2023
http://www.readyforfreddie.com
https://www.facebook.com/FreddieForNashville
https://twitter.com/freddieoconnell
615-260-0005
