Tennessee
Nashville’s East Bank: What’s on the table for new Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Plans to relocate the Tennessee Performing Arts Center to Nashville’s redeveloping East Bank are solidifying with Metro Council poised to consider a preliminary agreement with the center.
The council will review a nonbinding memorandum of understanding providing a glimpse at what a new TPAC could look like on March 7. The document also lays out TPAC’s cost and infrastructure responsibilities in exchange for a lease on Metro-owned riverside land. Future binding agreements will require additional Metro Council approval.
Among the list of public amenities to be financed by the center is an extension of the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge to provide continuous downtown-East Bank access to pedestrians and cyclists.
TPAC is a nonprofit that partners with the state to provide educational experiences for school children, and affordable performance spaces for the Nashville ballet, opera and repertory theater. It also hosts touring Broadway productions and other events. The organization has called the state-owned James K. Polk Cultural Center home since 1980, but began exploring other options as the state contemplated redeveloping the downtown building, which is in need of upwards of $100 million in repairs.
What would a new TPAC look like?
The new performing arts center would be located on a 3.3-acre parcel of Metro-owned land near the outlet of the pedestrian bridge on the east bank of the Cumberland River. The “multi-use community, performance and education space” would have several facets:
- A 2,600-seat multipurpose theater
- A 1,200-seat dance and opera hall
- A 500-seat flexible venue
- Four rehearsal studios (to be used for rehearsals, classroom space and for community events)
- TPAC administrative offices
- At least one publicly accessible exterior plaza providing public access to and from the riverfront
TPAC would design and build an extension of the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge compatible with retail and cultural activities. In a separate proposed development agreement between Metro and developer The Fallon Company for the city’s initial 30-acre development area, Fallon would be responsible for building another portion of the pedestrian bridge that extends to South Second Street, where pedestrians could enter a plaza adjoining the new Nissan Stadium.
The Center would set a 25% goal for minority- and women-owned business participation, and make “commercially reasonable efforts” to use local goods, vendors and labor in the center’s operation.
TPAC would also cover costs for:
- Street improvements along Waterside Drive and Victory Avenue
- Storm water management improvements
- Utilities not already being installed as part of Metro’s agreements with the Tennessee Titans or The Fallon Company
All designs require approval from the Metro Planning Commission, and Metro has authority to monitor construction.
Who pays for this?
TPAC would have to prove it can cover the costs of the project (determined through a guaranteed maximum price contract) and any potential overruns before Metro would allow construction to begin.
State lawmakers approved a $200 million grant to help pay for the center’s relocation from its current downtown seat, but TPAC will need to put up a 20% match for the state to release those funds. TPAC would source another $100 million minimum in pledges from donors, and could seek private construction financing.
Metro would enter into a 35-year lease with TPAC with rent set at $100 per year. TPAC would have the option of two 30-year renewal terms, with rent set at 25% of the market value at that time, with annual increases.
Under the proposed lease, TPAC would claim all revenue from operations in the center and on-site, advertising included. The center would foot the bill for operating and maintenance costs, utilities and insurance, in addition to agreeing to contribute toward operation and maintenance of the pedestrian bridge.
Metro could host up to three civic events at the center per year and would reimburse TPAC for operating costs for those events.
TPAC would shoulder the responsibility for securing parking for events at the center.
What is the timeline?
Metro Council will consider the nonbinding resolution (which requires only one vote to pass) on March 7. The document states it is “solely for the purpose of facilitating ongoing discussions.”
Should Metro and TPAC later agree to formalize the terms laid out in the resolution, TPAC will have until Sept. 30, 2025, to meet the following milestones:
- TPAC secures the entirety of the state’s $200 million contribution and donor contributions
- TPAC delivers a concept design and receives Metro Planning approval
- TPAC provides a preliminary budget to Metro
- TPAC provides proof of sufficient private financing
Before beginning construction, TPAC would need to obtain Metro approval for the final design and confirm its ability to fund the full project. TPAC would need to begin construction by Sept. 30, 2027.
Tennessee
With I-40 damaged from Helene, how will it impact holiday traffic in Tennessee? What to know before you go
Video: I-40 damage after Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina
Aerial video shows damage and beginning of repairs of Interstate 40 along the Pigeon River in Western North Carolina.
Are you taking a road trip this holiday season?
You’re not alone. AAA experts predict 71.7 million travelers to be on the roads nationwide around Thanksgiving, a 1.3 million increase over 2023 numbers.
In East Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Transportation Spokesperson Mark Nagi anticipates the highways being “very busy.” Road damage and closures add even more complication and congestion to the already-crowded roads.
Tropical Storm Helene caused grave damage to Tennessee and North Carolina highways when the storm swept through on Sept. 27. Months later, road damage continues to be top of mind for drivers.
“We’re continuing to work to get these roadways and bridges open as quickly as possible,” Nagi said.
Interstate 40 remains closed across the Tennessee and North Carolina state border after a mudslide wiped out a portion of the highway. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has a plan to reopen two-way traffic in the gorge, but not in time for Thanksgiving or Christmas travel.
To make travel a bit easier, there will be no temporary lane closures from noon on Wednesday, Nov 27, through 6 a.m. on Dec. 2, according to Nagi. However, this does not apply to long-term closures like I-40 where roads are closed for damage.
Tips for holiday travel
Knowing that highways in East Tennessee could be extra busy this year, Nagi shared some road trip tips to make the holiday travel easier.
- Download the SmartWay app, or look at the road closure map online.
- Give yourself extra time to travel. Leave early if you can.
- Try to avoid travel during peak times, including Wednesday, Nov 27.
Where is I-40 closed?
Still, you’re unable to drive across the Tennessee state line into North Carolina on I-40.
In Tennessee, there is one lane of traffic open in each direction between Mile Marker 446 and Mile Marker 451 at the state line. Commercial traffic cannot go any further than Mile Marker 440 on I-40 East, according to Nagi.
The highway is closed in both directions from Mile Marker zero to 20 in North Carolina.
How many people travel across I-40 at the gorge?
I-40 is a major thoroughfare through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The stretch of I-40 in North Carolina that was damaged by Helene supports about 7,610 trucks daily and a total average daily traffic of over 26,000 vehicles.
Alternate route: Use Interstate 26 through Erwin
You can use I-26 through Erwin to cross the state line. This route option reopened in late October, according to Nagi. There is one-lane two-way traffic through the area.
Nagi said there would likely be more traffic on this route through the holiday travel season.
Alternate route: Use Interstate 81 and Interstate 77
From Knoxville, travelers can head north on I-81, which connects with I-77 toward Charlotte. It’s more miles, but you can eventually get to Ashville and other areas of North Carolina from there.
Jamey Johnson was arrested for drug possession and speeding in Williamson County, Tennessee, on Sunday.
Saving Country Music was first to report the news, and TMZ confirmed it.
The arrest took place just more than a week after the release of his first album in 14 years, “Midnight Gasoline.”
News Channel 5 reports Johnson posted a $5,000 bond before he got out of jail Monday.
“We can confirm that Jamey Johnson was arrested on Sunday, Nov. 17 in Williamson County. The incident is still under investigation,” the Tennessee Highway Patrol wrote in a statement.
Johnson has served as a Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Strait and others.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
The Detroit Lions are adding a former Tennessee Titans draft pick to the practice squad ahead of Week 12.
Detroit announced Monday that former Titans linebacker David Long Jr. has signed with the team’s practice squad after standout linebacker Alex Anzalone was placed on injured reserve due to an arm injury.
Long Jr. started out the season with the Miami Dolphins but was waived on Nov. 13. He sat out due to injury when the Titans beat Miami as Hard Rock Stadium in Week 4. In six starts and eight appearances for Miami this season, Long Jr. totaled 38 tackles (26 solo).
Originally a sixth-round pick by the Titans in the 2019 NFL Draft, Long Jr. spent four years in Tennessee and proved to be a consistent presence for head coach Mike Vrabel’s defense. During his time with the team, he played in 50 regular-season games and made 26 starts while posting 230 total tackles (15 for loss), two forced fumbles, 14 pass breakups and four interceptions.
He also started two of five playoff appearances for Tennessee while tallying 27 total tackles and a sack in the postseason. Long Jr. played in the Titans’ AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 Playoffs.
He then signed a two-year, $11 million deal with Miami ahead of the 2023 campaign. Long Jr. immediately became an impact player for McDaniel, finishing his debut season with the Dolphins with a career-best 113 total tackles to go along with one sack and one forced fumble.
Though Miami decided to move on from his this season, Long Jr. now has a chance to eventually contribute to arguably the best team in the NFL. The Lions are currently 9-1 and coming off a 52-6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. This matched their point total from the 52-14 win over the Titans on Oct. 27.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
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