Mayor O'Connell remains optimistic about East Bank as TPAC talks drag out

State of play: Negotiations with TPAC hit a snag over infrastructure costs, leading to concerns among some Metro stakeholders about the status of the East Bank plan.

What he's saying: At his press briefing last week, O'Connell pointed to positive developments on the riverfront, including progress on the new Titans stadium and the scrap metal property under contract to be sold.

• "We have an incredibly high level of optimism. We continue to have great conversations with [East Bank developer] the Fallon Company. There have been ongoing conversations with TDOT about infrastructure. We continue to be engaged with Oracle about capacity needs for their campus development from an infrastructure and utility needs standpoint.
• "And I would say we're still in the process of continuing the conversation with TPAC," O'Connell said. "I'm not convinced that it has left the East Bank from a consideration standpoint."