Mayor O'Connell, TPAC reach deal for new East Bank arts facility
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TPAC at the Polk building in 2017. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for K-Squared Entertainment
Mayor Freddie O'Connell reached an agreement with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center to build a new arts facility on the East Bank, ending an occasionally tense 18-month negotiation.
Why it matters: The new TPAC facility would serve as a cultural hub for nonprofit arts organizations and help anchor the ambitious East Bank redevelopment around the new Titans stadium.
- Metro Council must sign off on the plan.
Zoom in: Sources aware of the deal say TPAC will pay for a combined $24.6 million for roads, utilities and work on the nearby Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.
What he's saying: "This agreement ensures Metro and TPAC will partner on related infrastructure costs and advances a key piece of the East Bank redevelopment," O'Connell said in a press release on Wednesday.
- "TPAC will have a world class space to bring live theater and other premier events to Nashville, and there will be opportunities for public access."
Between the lines: TPAC hosts musicals, concerts, and performances by other fine arts groups including the Nashville Ballet, the Opera and the Nashville Repertory Theatre.
- Supporters hope a new TPAC will boost the East Bank project as something used by locals, not just tourists.
Catch up quick: TPAC is looking to build a new facility because its current home is in the antiquated state-owned Polk building.
- Gov. Bill Lee and the legislature committed $500 million in state funding for a new facility, and TPAC is supposed to fundraise an additional $100 million toward the project.
- Previous Mayor John Cooper initially pursued the idea of a new performing arts center on the East Bank.
- O'Connell's administration negotiated a memorandum of understanding, which the Metro Council approved last year.
Yes, but: After the MOU was approved and talks advance to final negotiations, the cost of infrastructure associated with the project became a sticking point.
- According to a presentation to the council last year, TPAC would be responsible for $30 million in infrastructure work, based on the estimated cost at the time. But the estimate rose to about $67 million once soft costs, contingencies and the future value of the work was factored in, according to the council presentation.
- At one point, the internal TPAC team leading the negotiations informed the nonprofit's board of directors that talks with city leadership had broken down and it was forced to consider other sites.
Flashback: State-owned land near the Sounds ballpark in Germantown emerged as one option.
- Faced with a Dec. 31 deadline, O'Connell told Axios earlier this year he was hopeful an agreement could be reached soon.
What's next: Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin, who represents the area, will host a community meeting to discuss the plan. Council will consider the proposal in the coming weeks.