Council Members Hosting Public Meetings On Proposed Convention Center

Constituents are giving Metro Council members an earful about the proposed new downtown convention center. The council is set to vote on the proposal later this month, and both sides of the issue are speaking out in a series of public forums.

Around 60 people turned out last night for a community meeting at Nashville’s north police precinct. Some questioned the need for a new facility, and the cost. Others, like Drew Mischke, lauded the chance to add more jobs in the community.

Mischke is general manager at the Mercy Lounge, a music venue near the site of the proposed convention center.

“A business like the one that I work for, the amount of people that we’ll be able to employ will increase tremendously.”

But others, like retiree Tom Epperson, were less positive about the impact the convention center would have on the local job market.

“There was a statement made saying that they’re not minimum wage jobs. Yeah, it may not be minimum wage, but I’ll bet you they’re less than $10 an hour.”

Meetings in two other districts are scheduled for tonight, with more slated for next week.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7th:

6:30 p.m. – CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Bellevue Middle School
655 Colice-Jeanne Road
Hosted by council members Eric Crafton, Emily Evans and Bo Mitchell.

7 p.m.
Hermitage Police Precinct
3701 James Kay Lane
Hosted by council members Carl Burch, Phil Claiborne, Jim Gotto, Darren Jernigan, and Bruce Stanley.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12th:

6 p.m.
East Police Precinct
936 E. Trinity Lane
Hosted by council members Mike Jameson, Karen Bennett, Erik Cole and Jamie Hollin.

7 p.m.
West End Middle School
3529 West End Ave.
Hosted by council members Jamie Holleman, Sean McGuire and Kristine LaLonde.