A new TPAC is closer to reality, but Metro still must decide how it fits into Nashville’s East Bank development

Courtesy Metro Nashville Planning Department

A new Tennessee Performing Arts Center is one step closer to reality. The State Building Commission approved $200 million for the project. Metro officials and TPAC are in talks to see if it can be constructed in East Bank, the same area that will house the new Titans Stadium. 

However, that plan has some worried TPAC’s presence could decrease the amount of affordable housing available.  

One 30-acre proposal from the East Bank’s master developer included nearly 1,100 affordable housing units, the other 20-acre proposal shows only 200. Those proposals are not final plans. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell believes TPAC and affordable housing shouldn’t be viewed as an either-or scenario. 

“Right now, today, I think I would not say that meeting our affordable housing goals on the East Bank and a new home for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center over there existing are mutually exclusive concepts.” 

Gov. Bill Lee believes whatever the plan is, a balance between both needs to be found. 

“Making sure we have the arts in our community is really important, so where it ends up will be decided at the local level,” Lee said. “We need arts. We need affordable housing. We need to find a way to get them both.” 

An additional $300 million is expected to be approved by the state in the upcoming legislative session. TPAC would also need to raise $100 million to access state funding. 

Clarification: A previous version of this story stated that TPAC being built in East Bank would decrease the amount of affordable housing that could be built. The number of units will depend upon which proposal Metro approves. No decision has been made yet.