Most people think that the referendum on the Tennessee State Fairgrounds is going to pass. That's one reason why there hasn't been a big campaign pushing back against the Save My Fairgrounds people. Other than a few heated district races, supposedly it's the only thing really driving some voters to the polls. And unfortunately, other than some very loud, very persistent racetrack enthusiasts, a few people who seem to have a vendetta against the Mayor, and a small neighborhood of about 500 houses, most of Nashville seems to be pretty apathetic towards the whole issue.
In the heat of discussion, the tracking of political moves and the general meanness of some, it's easy to forget that for many of us this isn't about winning or losing a vote. This is about improving our quality of life. What kind of message does it send to folks wanting to move to Nashville when our priorities revolve around what-used-to-be more than the quality of our neighborhoods and the well-being of the people who live in them?
So, before I risk a morning of taking myself too seriously, here are some pictures of the subject at hand. If the referendum does pass, this is what the Save My Fairgrounds people would like you to believe that Nashville wants to keep around (which technically, this amendment doesn't even do).
Update: I had someone ask so I'm just going to go ahead and post this here. Click here to read the text of the amendment. If you would like to see change at the fairgrounds, click "Against Ratification" on your ballot.
7 comments:
Those views are exactly what Metro government has wanted to keep around. Ignore upkeep and redevelopment, which drives down the community QOL in order to get lower real estate values for the grand sell-off plan that your groups (SNAP and Neighbors for Progress) support.
You should blame the powers-that-be; not outside groups that have little or no control over the upkeep of the Fairgrounds. But you've already misplaced blame on the racetrack for polluting Brown's Creek, when a network of interstates and surface roads do much more damage to the watershed than periodic races could ever do. Today's post just seems like more misplaced frustration here at South Nashville Life.
There is plenty of blame to go around. That's part of the problem, everyone is so busy casting blame (I'm not saying I haven't been guilty of it) that we lose sight of the simplest part of all this. That is the 117 acre parking-lot-shaped hole in the middle our city. The folks in SNAP and NFP see it every day because we live by it.
That's why we do what we can to change it.
I could vent all day about how the fairgrounds got that way. Certainly Metro shares some blame, but the Mayor didn't wreck the fairgrounds in his 4 years of office. At least he's done something to try and improve it, albeit poorly executed. And I don't see any scheme, I see that times that have changed and a use of property that no longer works for a growing city.
Today's post was me sharing my perspective on the issue. Frustrated, hopeful, or whatever.
Oh and I know the racetrack isn't the sole contributor to the pollution of Browns Creek, but its existence is the reason the TSMP has not moved forward with restoration of that part of the creek.
the Mayor didn't wreck the fairgrounds in his 4 years of office
No, he just neglected it.
He didn't do that either. The studies on what to do with the property have been going on since at least 2007.
One of the oft-quoted criticisms of Dean in the press is that he governs by appointing influential friends to task forces to foster the appearance of progress in the absence of community-informed, strategy-based governance.
He didn't need such stall tactics to work on short-term repair projects or a little landscaping to help the looks of the Fairgrounds. The important studies that would make redevelopment possible were never conducted: environmental, archaeological or geotechnical studies, soil analyses, hazardous materials searches. He didn't even announce support for a Master Plan until the council forced his hand. However, he did pick and choose from those studies you mention, sometimes skewing conclusions beyond all recognition.
Emails show that his man on the Fair Board, Buck Dozier made fun of the Civic Design Center study. Higher paying leases were declined in favor of issuing leases to companies close to the Mayor. More money could have helped pay for aesthetic improvements to the Fairgrounds to enhance the view. But what we got instead was neglect & cronyism.
According to emails, the Mayor did not even seek feedback from Fairgrounds staff before making his decision to sell the land. He didn't do his homework on this plan and the studies conducted provided him a veneer of legitimacy and a lot of stall time consistent with the ways he's been criticized for using other task forces.
But an independent study ignored by the Mayor's Office concluded that the Fairgrounds investment fund (which could have paid for a better view for you and your neighbors) was taken over by Metro Finance and bled of its earnings to pay for other budget needs. This whole redevelopment scheme was hardwired to undermine QOL and generate a buyer's market.
I've been living in Nashville my entire life (born in '83).
The area around the Fairgrounds has been crap for as long as I can remember. Blaming Dean is stupid; the problem has been there longer than he has.
It's a shitty area, and needs to be torn down so something better (that will help revitalize the area) can be done with the area.
Jen, The ONLY reason TSMP has not begun work on the mitigation of Brown's Creek is....The Mayor has not signed off on it.
The folks at TSMP are more than willing to mitigate Browns Creek with the race track in place.
News Flash, Track and Fairgrounds supporters want to see the creek mitigated and the property given a face lift as much as you do.
I have said it many times, If the neighbors will join forces with the Fairgrounds preservationists, we can get something done.
Strength in numbers, Jen.
The entire process, including the public hearing and last nights vote show how strength in numbers get things done.
Let's sit down and work out a solution benefiting all.
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