Metro officials concerned after East Bank hotel delay
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A vital East Bank hotel project won't be finished in time for the Super Bowl in Nashville in 2030, creating consternation among city leaders.
Why it matters: The situation illustrates a frayed relationship between Metro and the Fallon Company, which is the city's chosen master developer for the land around the new Titans stadium.
- City officials are worried about the optics and logistics of having a major construction site next to Nissan Stadium when the Super Bowl is in town.
Driving the news: Top Fallon executives informed the East Bank Development Authority board on Tuesday that its estimated timeline for the hotel is running slower than previous updates.
Friction point: Fallon told the authority in May 2025 it expected to begin construction of the hotel this year and finish in early 2029. That would have left plenty of time for the 2030 Super Bowl.
- But in its latest update, Fallon said it does not have final financing for the hotel.
- The company also has not selected a flagship hotel brand for the 600-room hotel project or finished design work.
Zoom in: The Super Bowl is obviously a big deal for Nashville, but there's a broader financial concern about the mixed-use development coming together as soon as possible.
- The new Nissan Stadium will open next year. Sales tax collections generated from the development around it are supposed to help pay for the debt on the project.
What he's saying: "Unfortunately, it wasn't a surprise to us. It was a surprise to many, so we'll need to do a better job making sure everyone's aware of that," Fallon Company CEO Michael Fallon said.
- In a slide show for the board, he walked through critical updates that have taken place behind the scenes, including Metro work like site appraisals and infrastructure approvals.
- Fallon says it needs to know where infrastructure, like sewers and utility, on the site will go and when it will be finished before it can complete financing and design work.
Yes, but: Board members expressed concerns and pressed the Fallon Company for why the hotel project has been slower to come together than expected. They also asked what the city could do to speed up the process.
- One possibility board member Jimmy Granbery suggested was delaying groundbreaking for the hotel until after the Super Bowl to avoid a partially built tower and construction site on the week of the city's preeminent showcase.
- That option may be a deal-breaker for Fallon, which also plans to develop other aspects of the East Bank.
What we're watching: At the suggestion of Granbery, the board voted to appoint Metro Planning Department director Lucy Kempf to convene a meeting with all stakeholders, including the Fallon Company, to determine next steps.
- Kempf's appointment is notable because she is a well-respected Metro official.
- Mayor Freddie O'Connell tasked Kempf last month with overseeing six Metro projects on the East Bank, including road work and new parks, with the goal of having them finished before the Super Bowl.
What she's saying: "There are a ton of moving parts, but it is really critical for everyone to be up front about what the risks are and what the opportunities are," Kempf said about the future of the hotel site.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information about Fallon's financing.