Coalition urges Nashville vote on fairgrounds future over NASCAR plan

A coalition of neighborhood, environmental and community groups opposing a possible fairgrounds racetrack deal are calling on Mayor Freddie O'Connell and the Metro Council to let voters decide the fate of the embattled property.

Why it matters: There's growing chatter that a deal is close between O'Connell and Speedway Motorsports Inc. to revitalize the racetrack and bring back NASCAR to the fairgrounds.

• The groups plan on releasing a joint statement Wednesday morning calling on city leaders to support a referendum.
• The prospect of revitalizing the track has been stuck in political gridlock for 14 years.

Driving the news: The coalition of opponents includes neighborhood groups (South Nashville Action People and Belmont Hillsboro Neighbors), environmental groups (the Cumberland River Compact and the Southern Environmental Law Center) and community activist organizations (the progressive group NOAH's economic equity, jobs and transportation task force).

• Those groups prefer the property be converted into a park and affordable housing, and for investments to be made in cleaning up Brown's Creek, which runs through the fairgrounds.

Flashback: Opponents pitched a plan two years ago to amend the Metro charter by replacing racing with affordable housing on the list of programming required at fairgrounds.

• That effort stalled after a lawsuit challenged its legality.

Between the lines: The soonest a measure could be on the ballot is 2026.

• There are two routes for Metro charter amendments: A petition drive, which requires thousands of voters to sign on in support, can trigger a ballot measure. Or Metro Council can also pass legislation to send a proposed amendment to voters for approval.

The intrigue: Metro council member Terry Vo, who represents the area, called the fairgrounds a "gem."

• "Nashvillians have been clear: they want more affordable housing, more green space, and more walkable neighborhoods," Vo said in a statement. "That's why I support exploring alternative uses of the speedway site, including the idea of restoring part of it to scenic green space — a place where families can picnic, children can play, and neighbors can come together."

What they're saying: "While our neighborhood's proximity means we may experience the impacts of fairgrounds activities more frequently than others, we also recognize that this land is a public asset for the entire city," SNAP board president Shay Sapp said in a statement. "It should therefore be used in ways that reflect the shared priorities of all Nashvillians."

State of play: Previous Mayor John Cooper struck a deal with Speedway Motorsports in 2023 to essentially build a new racetrack. State law allows the city to use tax revenue generated at the property to help finance a racetrack plan.

• The O'Connell administration and Speedway have been in talks over the last year about the possibility of a new deal.

Friction point: There is a disagreement about where the public stands on the issue. Opponents of the racetrack plan point to polling showing affordable housing and a park are popular alternatives to auto racing. Racing supporters point to their own polling showing public backing for preserving the 121-year-old track.

• In 2011, voters overwhelmingly supported a charter amendment requiring 27 Metro Council votes in support of demolishing the current track.