LEGISLATION FILED TO CREATE CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY
Convention Center Authority to oversee development of Music City Center
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 10, 2009) -Legislation has been filed to form a new entity within Metro Government to oversee the development of Music City Center, Nashville’s new downtown convention center.
The Tennessee General Assembly passed the Convention Center Authorities Act of 2009 during its spring session. The Act allows a municipality in Tennessee to create a convention center authority to manage the development and financing of a convention facility.
The Convention Center Authority of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville will be led by a nine-member board appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Metro Council.
The predevelopment activities for the Music City Center have been managed by the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA). The Convention Center Authority will be charged with overseeing the center’s financing, construction and operations.
“We are nearing the end of the predevelopment phase of the Music City Center,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “MDHA has laid the groundwork for this project. We have the location, the schematic design and we’re well on our way to acquiring the property. As we move toward issuing bonds and breaking ground, the Convention Center Authority will provide even more oversight to ensure we’re building a facility that’s within budget and on time.”
The resolution forming the Authority will be considered at the Metro Council’s meeting on Aug. 18. If passed, board members will be appointed in September. The Finance Department will staff the Authority until permanent employees can be hired.
“While the process of forming the Convention Center Authority has been in place since state legislation was filed in February, recent concerns about the communications contract for the project underscore the value a nine-member board will bring to managing a development of this size,” Finance Director Rich Riebeling said.
Riebeling said the transition of management from MDHA to the Convention Center Authority will take several months. Construction of Music City Center is expected to begin in the spring. The facility is scheduled to open in early 2013.
For media inquiries contact:
Bonna Johnson
615-862-6461
bonna.johnson@nashville.gov