One of Nashville’s most intense debates ended Tuesday night with a series of votes that approved the construction of a Major League Soccer stadium at the city fairgrounds.
It was a rare instance in which nearly every member of the Metro Council rose to speak during debate, and there were moments of emotion, snark and speechmaking. But even the toughest vote passed 31-8, and Nashville cleared a major hurdle in its rapid rise as an MLS city.
“This project will have a positive and lasting impact on our entire community. It embraces growth and new opportunities while ensuring every resident benefits and thrives along with it,” Mayor David Briley said in a statement after the votes. ”This project will provide needed upgrades to the fairgrounds, essential affordable housing, broad minority business opportunities and increased safety protections for our workers.”
Council members said they lost sleep over the decision and invested hours into studying the plan and hearing from hundreds of divided residents.
“It has ripped this city in half. I’m tired of it,” said Councilman Robert Swope.
He, like others, worried about balancing professional soccer with the existing races, Tennessee State Fair and flea markets at the fairgrounds. Ultimately, he joined those who said the stadium would be a revitalizing force for South Nashville.
“I think if we’re all successful here, that everything can exist and it can uplift the whole community in that area. This would make one amazing facility if everybody could play nice in the sandbox,” Swope said.
Councilwoman Mina Johnson, whose vote was also unclear entering the night, said she became convinced that existing fairgrounds activities would be boosted. She successfully amended a provision to guarantee that those events wouldn’t be hampered by any building demolitions at the property.
“They will protect and enhance existing uses, such as the flea market (and) expo center,” she said.
Another reason the deal passed: Several members cited the community benefits agreement, or CBA, that the team signed the night before. The agreement commits Nashville SC and developers of the site to high wages for employees, hiring practices for construction workers requested by labor groups, setting aside 20 percent of the units at an adjacent mixed-used development as affordable housing, involving minority-owned business and other terms.
“I have been converted,” At-Large Councilwoman Sharon Hurt said of the CBA and the overall plan.
Still, opponents blasted the site selection and the use of city funds and borrowing power. Several attempts to amend the deal, or to negate portions, were unsuccessful.
Councilwoman Angie Henderson, for example, questioned whether how funding was allotted for long-term upkeep.
“Despite best-laid plans, there is never enough money in the bank to renovate and improve things as we should,” she said.
Meanwhile, the stadium opposition group “Save Our Fairgrounds” filed a lawsuit Tuesday — its second — to try to block construction.
The previous attempt was quickly thrown out by the same judge who will hear the new case.