Metro Council Holds Off On Fairgrounds Measure

Last night a Metro councilman backed off a measure that would keep the Tennessee State Fairgrounds from being used for anything different. The sponsor says he put off action in order to give the mayor’s Fairgrounds Task Force time to craft a plan.

If nothing changes, the state fairgrounds will close at the end of this year. That’s prompted an outcry from some who want to see the site preserved, which led Mayor Karl Dean to create a task force (previous story here) on the site’s future.

Councilman Eric Crafton wants the group to find a way to save the site, and possibly renovate it. Crafton’s bill would’ve specifically kept the fairgrounds from being used for anything different. He says he backed off that proposal, at least for now, to make negotiations easier.

“At this point, I’m satisfied to let the task force move forward, and participate and be a part of that process, and then when the time is right if we need to bring a new bill we’ll do that.”

The task force begins its process Monday evening with a public meeting at the fairgrounds.

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CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS RECYCLING:

The council also moved forward several bills last night that make it easier to recycle bricks, concrete and rebar from construction and demolition sites.

One bill that passed into law lets contractors set up a temporary site to sort debris for recycling, within up to a half mile of construction.

Two other bills also passed on the second of three readings. One would allow for debris to be sorted at the recycling site, and another would allow some sorting to take place outdoors, provided it doesn’t bother residential areas.

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Earlier: Blocking Healthcare Overhaul in Tennessee Likely Unconstitutional
Later: Marshall County Gets Perry-Style Jobs Program