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Tempers flare as panel ponders future of state fairgrounds
Establish opportunities for shops and retail.
Improve street-connectivity with the surrounding neighborhood and various Nashville landmarks.
And, above all, focus on environmental sustainability, which should include embracing Brown’s Creek and perhaps building a new park.
These are a few of the recommendations, or “reoccurring themes” likely to be incorporated into a report drafted by a 10-member task force assigned by Mayor Karl Dean to study the future of city’s 117-acre fairgrounds property at the intersection of Wedgewood Avenue and Nolensville Pike.
At the third of the task force’s four scheduled community meetings Monday night, Nashvillians were updated on the progress of the Nashville Civic Design Center, a nonprofit agency that’s been soliciting input from citizens on the future of the fairgrounds site. The design center is working in conjunction with the task force.
Gary Gaston of the design center called the report a “work in progress,” but said these, along with a handful of other ideas, represent the findings and recommendations of a final report to be delivered to the mayor’s office by the end of August.
Dean has expressed a desire that the fairgrounds site be redeveloped after years of revenue loss. The fair board is set to hold a state fair for a final time at the site this fall. Two separate companies are organizing racing events at the property’s racetrack, and the flea market is allowed to operate through the end of the year.
For racing fans and others with a history at the fair, its demise has set off strong feelings against the idea of redevelopment.
Underscoring the frustration of opponents, Lisa Leeds, who heads a group hoping to preserve the fairgrounds, got in the face — literally — of Metro Councilwoman Sandra Moore at the conclusion of last night’s meeting before going on a profane tirade expressing her discontent that citizens were given no opportunity to speak.
From the outset, the meeting had been billed as a public information session, not a public hearing. Moore represents the fairgrounds area and is a member of Dean’s task force.
With the entire audience of 100 or so watching the confrontation unfold, a few people ran to the scene to restrain Leeds. All said, it was probably the most dramatic public display of outrage by fairgrounds preservationists to date.
“We are paying attention to what you’re saying,” Moore told Leeds, the two standing barely 1 foot apart. “But getting excited like this is not going to help anything. Would you mind having a seat please?”
As for other themes that could be included in the task force’s final report, Gaston said some citizens have urged for the preservation of the flea market. Others, meanwhile, are calling for a facility equipped to hold sporting or musical events.
Limiting surface parking on the site is another major desire that’s come out of previous meetings, he said.
Gaston himself suggested relocating a future state fair to Bicentennial Mall north of the state capitol building or to the parking lot of LP Field. Stadiums such as the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., use parking lots to hold markets and other events. There are no current plans to relocate the Tennessee State Fair.
When it comes to possible redevelopment of the site, Nashville’s recent flood will almost certainly be considered, and it could lead to a greater emphasis on protecting green space.
According to Alexia Poe, the mayor’s economic and community development director, roughly one-third of the fairgrounds property is within a 100-year floodplain.
“Green space is really important to the neighbors, community and this area in general,” Poe said. “The flood obviously gave us a very clear outline of where that space should be. That’s a really major priority as we look at this area.”
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Watching some of these crazy people in the audience is the best entertainment in town! I hope these same crazy people continue to come to meetings because this is only helping the overwhelming majority of Nashville residents who want to see the property developed into something that benefits the neighborhood and the City. Thank you Council Lady Moore for standing up for your constituents and for not letting some of the irrational, unreasonable, and crazy people attendance from intimidating you. Thank you to the Civic Design and to Mayor Dean's staff member A.P. Crazy people please continue to come to the meetings!
I hope Councilwoman Moore and other who have been threatened by Lisa Leeds will consider filing a restraining order. She is completely irrational and abusive to anyone who disagrees with her and her instability sincerely makes me concerned for the welfare of our elected officials that get on her radar. While I am happy it provides entertainment for some, she impedes a productive discussion about the future of the Fairgrounds and makes many of us who would like to be a part of the process stay away.
The fair at Bicentennial Mall? That's absurd. There is not enough room and the grounds would be wrecked.
Clearly Dean wants the Fair, Christmas Village and Flea Market to just go away. It's not something he or his wealthy supporters care about.
Expect HCA or someone else with connections and campaign donations to turn it into corporate offices or even more unsellable condos and empty storefronts.
I hope I am wrong, but IMHO these meetings are just window dressing.
Although I hate to see the Flea Market either leave or relocate,good riddance to the race track and the State Fair. The place is a dump as it stands.
So when is the fourth meeting? The article doesn't say.
From the outset, the meeting had been billed as a public information session, not a public hearing. Moore represents the fairgrounds area and is a member of Dean’s task force.
It's ALWAYS about public information. THIS is what you're getting and THIS is what you're paying up in tax dollars to do it. SO shut up and sit down. No wonder people get profane. WE got the convention center; we're getting the medical center; we're getting or got a BUNKER; we, the people, need to shut up and sit down. Oh and get our our wallets.
There is not enough room and the grounds would be wrecked. said by Kosh.
YOu mean kinda like the city was a virtual garbage can after the 3-day 4th of July celebration? People who frequent these "public' events need to take lessons in HOW TO USE A TRASH CAN, but they just throw their garbage on the street and out their funky car windows.
I personally don't care what they do with metro center, the mall, the fairgrounds. Why would I care? If I'm against anything, then the libs call me names and tell me I'm stupid.
Have a nice, duck-like day.
By: cweston on 7/13/10 at 7:55
So when is the fourth meeting? The article doesn't say.
They will "spring" that on us at their discretion. You know, so we can't PLAN anything strategic.
Mayor's task forces: A group made up of the Major (mayor's) favorite people and strongest supports. What's the point in attending?
To rush into something is foolish.
The way these polititians keep spending and spending eventually we will need Casino gambling and what better place for a gambling resort then there?
It will bring in millions for the property and millions in property taxes.
Remember what happened when we gave away the Dell "campous", shortly thereafter Boeing wanted to relocate here and that property would have been ideal for them. Just what they were looking for.
A property like that is the mother load for the right people intact not broken up into little pieces. Its real value is in the whole.
btw A casino just might keep and even expand the state fair and consider it an asset.
You'e had months, if not years, Budlight, to come up with something strategic. A notice on any meeting on the fairgrounds won't change that. Proposing something with substance and support would go a lot further than continuing to play the victim of the Mayor and his minions.
a decade of not doing anything about the fairgrounds is not rushing. good post, Getagrip.
For the past decade what has happened is that the City has taken well over 10 million dollars from race track proceeds and used them to support LP stadium, The Arena and many other wasteful projects instead of spending the money on the fairgrounds upkeep as intended.
It's documented
Racer84:
LOL.... If the City used the money it would have been the fairboards money which is basically Metro's money not the Racetracks. The Racetrack operates as a private entity which requires a lessee to lease the facility from the fairboard. The fairboard does not operate the racetrack. And so what if the City used the money to build LP Field. The last time I checked the fairgrounds racetrack races aren't televised on the National Networks or ESPN like the Titans games are. Also, LP Field is used for other events such as major concerts, TSU football games, College Bowl games, Soccer games, Music City Marathon, and etc. All these events help promote and bring revenue into the City unlike the fairgrounds speedway. The die hard fairgrounds speedway racers and fans at the end of the is year are going to have basically two options move to Highland Rim and help Little Bobby improve that facility or get the Nashville Super Speedway which is a private entity to build you all a track to have weekly or monthly races. If the racetrack made10 million dollars over the last 10 years you would have racing industry multimillionaire investors lined up out of the Mayors office with proposals to buy the track or lease the track. The needs of the neighborhood and the community have changed over the years and they don't include continuing racing in an Urban area.
racer, did you help restrain Lisa?
Lisa is as big an idiot as 117....Enough said.
racer84:
Please quantify this 10 million $ figure. Where can I go to verify this number?
Contact Councilman Duane Dominy, The attorney's have the details. Or do your own research. You can start with the millions that Mayor Purcell took from the fair board surplus and spent on the Arena.
Here is another example of just how much sense Mayor dean's money moves are:
You can search and read what the auditors found. They found the city was screwed and showed proof. Dean paid them a significant sum of money and then didn't utilize the info.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2008-312 (COLE) - This resolution authorizes the department of law to compromise and settle the claim of Nashville Speedway, USA against the Metropolitan Government, as well as settlement of the Metropolitan Government’s claim against Nashville Speedway USA and Dover Motorsports. In 1995, Nashville Speedway, USA (then owned by Bob Harmon) entered into a lease agreement with the board of fair commissioners for the exclusive operation of races at the fairgrounds. Nashville Speedway, USA agreed to pay 50% of its annual net profits from operating the races to the Metropolitan Government. Dover Motorsports purchased Nashville Speedway, USA from Mr. Harmon and his partner in October 1997 and the board of fair commissioners approved the continuation of the lease under the new ownership. Dover Motorsports paid Metro $241,473 as its 50% net profit payment for fiscal year 1999, which was its first full year. Dover Motorsports then paid $42,463 as the first quarter payment for the next fiscal year. However, Dover Motorsports ended up reporting a net loss of $66,188 for fiscal year 2000.
Dover Motorsports filed suit against Metro alleging that it should be reimbursed the first quarter payment in the amount of $42,463 since it reported a net loss for the entire fiscal year. Metro countersued essentially alleging that it is owed more than $100,000 due to the speedway overstating expenses.
The parties have agreed to dismiss both lawsuits in exchange for Dover Motorsports becoming a $25,000 sponsor of the 2008 state fair, and a $25,000 sponsor of the 2009 state fair if it is held at its current location. The department of law recommends accepting this settlement offer, as Metro has had little success in finding evidence that the expenses were overstated
Nashville needs the fairgrounds for al of the activiteis that it has to offer. Remember Opryland, that was a very bad decision to take that away. The Mall has never lived up to its promise. Dean leave the fairgrounds alone. You may be out of a job if you continue doing what you want and go against the the will of the people.
As you can see the track alone brought in several million dollars per year annually. In 1999 the Fair Board, Dean and Metro Law thought it was a good idea to let several million a year in revenue go to wilson county. Dover took the races with the lease. What did the city receive for it's Multi Million Dollar NASCAR Busch Series and Craftsman Truck series events which tracks nationally fight tooth and nail to obtain ?
ZERO, NOTHING.
Financial Genius at work.
Today those would bring in about 10 times what they did 10 years ago.
pswindle, that would be the will of SOME people. i live in that neighborhood and can't wait for the fairgrounds to be revamped into something more useful and for the track to go away!
Racer84: you want to call me an idiot and you are referencing Duane "I'll start a petition for anything as long as I'm running for something" Dominy. Councilman Dominy needs to worry about the issues in his own Council District. He doesn't represent the area where the fairgrounds is located. He is just using the few constituents he has that support the racetrack to help him beat State Rep. Sherry Jones who he is challenging in November. FYI Dominy did not start commenting on the Fairgounds until at or around the same time he decided to run for State Representative. I was not a math major in college but I'm having a little trouble calculating your figures in your post to equal $10,000,000. I know that from the quote below you racers don't like coming in second place however with this issue you are.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Ricky Bobby: If you ain't first, you're last. You know, you know what I'm talking about
Thanks for providing proof of what I said....
I won last race, so there ya go
Racer84:
Way to Get Er Done Boy!
lol
Has anyone looked into using the old Bellevue Mall site for anything like the
Flea Market. That is a wonderful location that is very easily accessed from the interstate as well as from downtown, Brentwood and other surrounding areas. There is upper parking. It seems like the Dean administration is doing a good job of tearing down the old and building new but wouldn't it be better to revitalize some of the wonderful old space not being used.
Loretta - You are right, it's a wonderful location that I'm sure the owners would like a sizeable amount for which the city cannot afford.
Why would the current location with it's many years of success that currently does not cost the city one cent not be better ?
South Nashville has changed and that land could be used in a more beneficial way for the neighborhood. Loretta, Bellevue Mall would be a great area for the flea market.
After some reflection, I feel I need to offer an apology to Council
Member Moore and those in attendance at last night's meeting, not for
the substance of what was said, but the manner in which I expressed
myself.
Seeing the task force manipulate their own data to suit the Mayor's
wishes, and the continued refusal of the Mayor to respond to public
opinion simply caused my frustration level to rise beyond what it
should have. I should not have allowed it to push me beyond the limits
of civil discourse.
I would ask all who were in attendance to not allow this lapse in
speech to cloud the substance of what was being expressed by myself
and others at that meeting.
According to the fairgrounds preservation group 31,0000 people have signed their petition to leave the fairgrounds as it is… 90% of the 31,000 are from Nashville… well that leaves 27,900 people who actually live in Nashville which works out to about 4.5% of the population in Nashville want to keep the fairgrounds as is.
As to the supposed 60 million $$$ the preservation group is sure is added to the economy… 29,000 hotel rooms at an average of $100 per night = $290,000( I think $100 per night is a generous figure) so that leaves 59,710,000 to come from other things. Would someone please tell me what else this number encompasses??
The mayors task force was created to gather ideas to move the property forward. It was never a forum to debate the existance of the fairgrounds.
The preservation group, on their website, site the PRELIMINARY Markin report. The final report can be read at:
http://www.tennessean.com/assets/pdf/DN15150528.PDF
lisaleeds2008:
We have your outburst on video. It will be posted on youtube shortly and News Channel 5 is considering showing the footage to its viewers.
No video....
Mccune- The 60 million dollar figure came from Markin.
From reading your post, no way could it be explained to you as to what all that entails. You didn't even take into consideration of the flea market impact so your attempt to make an educated point was an epic fail.
Racer... I have read the Markin report and it does not mention 60M. Here is the link:
http://www.tennessean.com/assets/pdf/DN15150528.PDF
If you can find it in this report please give me the page #.
Where are you getting your intel on what the Flea Market provides to Metro?
The #'s that I used came from the fairgrounds preservation group[ and I am mearly asking that they explain them.
I keep asking for proof of the #'s that the preservation group is throwing around and no one can tell me where to get concrete evidence that these #'s have any validity.
Again, where is the PROOF of these #'s. I have simply taken the statements made by the preservation people and attempted to find the source...
your right... the one she cites was done in may. the one *we* cite on our website was done in *november*! people can check it for themselves: http://fairgroundsheritage.org/index.php?p=mr and see which one is the final.
Neither of these reports quote a $60M figure.
How about you just go the easy route since anything else seems to complicate things for you.
Contact Markin directly. 120 Woodland Pond Park ■ 12072 87th Place N. ■ Maple Grove, MN 55369 ■ Phone 763-493-3568 ■ Fax 763-322-5013
You're right-- they don't. That would be in the report prepared by a department of metro that is also published on our site under 'Economic Impact'. http://fairgroundsheritage.org/index.php?p=eo They stated in the report that the figure could, in fact, be higher.