RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-517

A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency to update and revise its official Tax Increment Financing development priorities for the Downtown Core -- including the Arts Center, Capitol Mall, Phillips Jackson (South of Jefferson—Ballpark), and Rutledge Hill (North of KVB) redevelopment districts -- to prioritize green space and public space and deprioritize parking space.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) has the authority under state law to initiate redevelopment plans for the purpose of removing, preventing, or reducing blight; and

WHEREAS, MDHA has implemented redevelopment plans for various blighted areas in Nashville, including the Arts Center, Capitol Mall, Phillips-Jackson Street, and Rutledge Hill; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency is authorized to utilize tax increment financing (TIF) pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated 13-20-205 in furtherance of its projects; and

WHEREAS, in evaluating development applications in particular redevelopment districts, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency relies upon a published list of “development priorities”, giving strong consideration to those TIF applications that strive to meet a development priority for the particular district; and

WHEREAS, recent parking garage construction and analysis by the Metropolitan Planning Organization have shown that there is sufficient parking in the downtown core and that a surfeit of parking is detrimental to the County's transportation and traffic-reduction goals; and

WHEREAS, as market conditions and/or priorities change, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency has the authority to review and amend its development priorities biannually or as deemed necessary by the Development Committee of the MDHA Board of Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, as set forth in its “2015 Tax Increment Financing Report”, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Priorities established 2014-2015 for the Downtown Core (including the Arts Center, Capitol Mall, Phillips Jackson (South of Jefferson—Ballpark), and Rutledge Hill (North of KVB) redevelopment districts, the following criteria:

“Project must be able to provide a substantial public good and/or fulfill one of the following categories:
• Parking in the downtown core
• Retail in the downtown core
• Cultural facilities (i.e. Museums)”

WHEREAS, these development priorities make no provision for the encouragement of green space or public space in the downtown core -- features which are becoming ever more significant to the quality of life for a burgeoning downtown population.

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 Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency to update and revise its development priorities for the Downtown Core to include green space and public space among the prioritized amenities and to exclude parking as a priority.

Section 2. That the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency is further requested to inform The Metropolitan Council of the feasibility of and/or the actions taken in compliance with the request contained in Section 1 thereof, not later than sixty (60) days after the adoption of this Resolution.

Section 3. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to MDHA Executive Director James Harbison and to each member of the Development Committee of the MDHA Board of Commissioners

Section 4. That 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: Angie Henderson, Mina Johnson