Nashville Mayor Karl Dean has named a committee to oversee a new fund for attracting and retaining headline events like the Music City Bowl. A new 50-cent tax levied on hotels and motels in Davidson County will supply an estimated 5-million dollars annually.
Mike Kelly, who owns the local restaurant Jimmy Kelly’s, will chair the six-member body. Also on the committee is Walt Baker, who heads up the Tennessee Hotel and Lodging Association, which lobbied the Metro Council to pass the additional tax in August.
A strong contingent of small hoteliers, outside of downtown, opposed the tax. They’ve endured a number of additional taxes in the past few years to fund downtown improvements, including a 2-dollar-per-night room charge for a new convention center.
Baker says he will represent even those who spoke against the tax.
“My vote is going to be what’s good for the city, what’s good for all of the hotels. And we’re hopeful that some of the programs that will be coming before us to evaluate will be programs implemented outside of the downtown area.”
The fund could be used to help attract the Women’s Final Four, which is considering Nashville to host one of the tournaments between 2012 and 2016.
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