Nashville’s MLS expansion project saw the Metropolitan Council pass three ordinances and one resolution to advance the city’s planned stadium and mixed-use development project for the team at the Fairgrounds Nashville site south of downtown.
Passing the measures by a 31-8 margin, the council provided firm backing for Mayor David Briley’s plans, which began under his predecessor Megan Barry, who resigned in March, to build a $275-million, 30,500-seat soccer-specific facility for Nashville’s MLS expansion team.
The franchise is set to enter MLS in 2020, initially playing their home matches at Nissan Stadium while the new venue is built.
The stadium project includes a 10-acre mixed-use development with plans for housing, retail, restaurants and more. Tuesday’s vote included final approval to demolish existing structures at the fairgrounds and the enacting of a $1.75 ticket tax at the stadium, and it clears the city’s government to issue $225 million in revenue improvement bonds for the project.
"Tonight is the time to act," said Briley. "I dare say that no public project in the history of the Metropolitan government has received more public participation and scrutiny than the proposed MLS stadium and mixed-use development at the fairgrounds … I firmly believe this project is good for the Metropolitan government and is good for Nashville."
