Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is saying “no” to helping pay for flood repairs to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and “yes” to fixing up the Grand Ole Opry House. He plans to file legislation with the Metro Council Friday.
Gaylord asked for help from the city to rebuild the Opryland Hotel after sustaining more than $200 million in flood damage. Mayor Dean was sympathetic but says getting the Opry open is more important.
“It is something that energizes our economy and brings people to the city that benefits a lot of hospitality entities, not just one hotel, but a lot of hotels, and a lot of restaurants and a lot of people.”
The Opry, also owned by Gaylord, needs an estimated $20 million of work, including a new stage, pews, dressing rooms and mechanical systems. If the Metro Council signs off, Gaylord would be able to keep what it generates from a one percent hotel/motel tax that was added in 2007. At the time, the city agreed to give Gaylord access to that stream of tax money for an expansion which never happened. Gaylord’s portion comes to $1.2 million a year. If approved, Dean’s plan would give the company that money for the next 15 years to cover flood-related repairs, but only to the Opry.
The Grand Ole Opry is scheduled to reopen in October.
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