RESOLUTION NO. RS2011-1583

A resolution requesting Mayor Karl Dean and the Metropolitan Public Library Board to take the action necessary to relocate the Metropolitan Government Archives to the Ben West Library and to house a Davidson County museum in the Ben West Library.

WHEREAS, much discussion lately has centered around the plans to move the Metropolitan Government Archives from its Green Hills location to another site; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2011, Finance Director Richard Riebeling stated in a letter that the Metropolitan Government does not intend to include the Metro Archives in the plans for Hickory Hollow Mall; and

WHEREAS, the Ben West Library building, located in the heart of downtown Nashville and a mere two blocks away from the Main Library, has the floor space, structural capacity, and adequate parking to house the Metro Archives; and

WHEREAS, the Ben West Library building has essentially remained vacant since the completion of the Metro Courthouse renovation in 2006; and

WHEREAS, although the Ben West Library is owned by the Metropolitan Government, there is apparently a reversionary clause in the deed to the property requiring it to be used for library purposes in perpetuity; and

WHEREAS, Davidson County currently does not have a museum for the public to view documents and artifacts of historic importance to the county; and

WHEREAS, renovating the Ben West Library building to house the Metro Archives and a Davidson County museum should be relatively inexpensive since the building was designed to serve a similar function, and would be consistent with the deed restriction on the property.

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 Mayor Karl Dean and the Metropolitan Public Library Board to take the action necessary to relocate the Metropolitan Government Archives to the Ben West Library and to house a Davidson County museum in the Ben West Library .

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Mrs. Donna Nicely, and to each member of the Metropolitan Public Library Board.

Section 3. 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: Eric Crafton