A resolution requesting the Mayor and the Director of Tourism to report to the Council regarding the actions required to locate a major destination family theme park in Nashville, as requested by Resolution No. RS2004-427.

WHEREAS, on August 17, 2004, the Metropolitan Council adopted Resolution No. RS2004-427 requesting the Mayor, the Director of Tourism, and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau to collaborate and report to the Council regarding the feasibility of and actions required to locate a major destination theme park in Nashville; and

WHEREAS, in March 2005, a report in response to Resolution RS2004-427 was delivered to the Council, which noted that Nashville is "uniquely positioned to capture local, regional, and national attendance for a theme park" that draws on Nashville's status as the country music capital of the world, as well as its geographical location, interstate access, and low-cost airline accessibility; and

WHEREAS, the report conservatively projects that attendance at a new theme park in Nashville would rank between 50th and 75th place among all theme parks, increasing to between 40th and 50th in its first five years; and

WHEREAS, Nashville is the largest major market currently lacking a theme park; and

WHEREAS, the report further noted that theme parks are a lucrative industry, and that Americans who include theme parks as part of their vacations stay longer and spend more money; and

WHEREAS, although the report presented to the Council identifying the need for a theme park is encouraging, the report failed to address the second prong of Resolution No. RS2004-427 regarding the actions required to located a major destination theme park in Nashville; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Council be presented with this additional information outlining the actions that need to be taken to make the location of a theme park in Nashville a reality.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Mayor and the Director of Tourism report to the Council regarding the actions required to locate a major destination family theme park in Nashville, as requested by Resolution No. RS2004-427.

Section 2. That the Mayor and the Director of Tourism, and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau are further requested to submit such additional information to the Council within forty-five (45) days from the date of adoption of this Resolution.

Section 3. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Mayor Bill Purcell and to Emmett Edwards, the Director of Tourism.

Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Charlie Tygard

Amendment No. 1
To
Resolution No. RS2005-774

Mr. President:

I move to amend Resolution No. RS2005-774 by deleting the phrase "the Mayor and the Director of Tourism", wherein it appears in the caption, in Section 1, and in Section 2 of the Resolution, and substituting in lieu thereof the phrase "the Mayor, the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, and the Director of Tourism".

Sponsored by: Charlie Tygard