Tennessee

Nashville’s East Bank: What’s on the table for new Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Published

10 months ago

March 1, 2024

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.

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Tennessee

Collierville Police present colors in Tennessee Titans face-off against the Bengals

Published

28 minutes ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Collierville Police present colors in Tennessee Titans face-off against the Bengals

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (WMC) – The Collierville Police Department had a special role in the Tenessee Titans’ game this week.

The Collierville Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors as Tennessee faced off against the Cincinnati Bengals.

While the Titans lost, CPD says its team represented Collierville with pride and professionalism.

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Tennessee

Why Big Lots announced going out of business sales at remaining locations. What to know about closures in Tennessee

Published

9 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Why Big Lots announced going out of business sales at remaining locations. What to know about closures in Tennessee

Big Lots has closed over 400 stores in 2024 and has now announced going out business sales across its remaining locations.

On Thursday, Big Lots announced in a news release that it did not anticipate a sale to Nexus Capital Management going through. In this deal, Nexus Capital Management would have taken over Big Lots by early January helping the chain achieve financial stability.

Here’s what to know about Big Lots closures in Tennessee.

Is Big Lots closing all its stores?

Big Lots does not have any plans to close all of its stores yet. The going out of business (GOB) sales are a way for the company “protect the value of its estate,” according to their statement. The goal is for the sales to allow Big Lots to continue being a company that is financially stable enough to meet obligations and continue business in the near future.

“We all have worked extremely hard and have taken every step to complete a going concern sale. While we remain hopeful that we can close an alternative going concern transaction, in order to protect the value of the Big Lots estate, we have made the difficult decision to begin the GOB process,” said Bruce Thorn, Big Lots’ President and Chief Executive Officer,

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September after announcing the original plan to close less than 50 stores in July. There have been over 400 stores announced for closure since then.

Which Big Lots stores in Tennessee are closing?

As previously reported by USA TODAY, the stores closing in Tennessee include two stores outside Nashville and one in northwest Tennessee. They are:

There has been one store added to the closing list:

How many Big Lots are there in Tennessee?

There are a total of 47, soon to be 43, Big Lots stores across Tennessee. Locations include Chattanooga, Clarksville, Memphis, Knoxville and more. A complete list of Big Lots stores can be found at local.biglots.com/tn.

Why is Big Lots closing stores?

High inflation and interest rates are impacting Big Lots like many other stores. Additionally, a news release from the company said economic trends like customer spending on home and seasonal products, have affected the company’s revenue.

The company had previously reported that sales in the first quarter of 2024 fell more than 10% compared to the previous year. The company did perform better in the second quarter, yielding improved comp sales.

“While the company’s underlying performance has been improving, the Board of Directors conducted a broad strategic review of alternatives and determined that entering into the Sale Agreement with Nexus, and initiating a court-supervised sale process, is the best path forward to maximize value and ensure continued operations,” wrote Big Lots in the news release.

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Tennessee

Former TSU president: Tennessee State University must be saved. HBCUs matter. | Opinion

Published

17 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Former TSU president: Tennessee State University must be saved. HBCUs matter. | Opinion

TSU and HBCUs represent America’s promise that education can change lives and build a more equitable future for everyone.

Ronald A. Johnson
| Guest Columnist

At the Dec. 16th State Building Commission meeting, calls were made for more layoffs, selling university property, and declaring financial exigency at Tennessee State University (TSU).

TSU’s leadership responded that “all options are on the table” – a deeply troubling stance.

Financial exigency – akin to bankruptcy reorganization – should be a tool of absolute last resort. Prematurely invoking it would harm the university’s credibility, reputation, and ability to serve its students.

During my tenure as interim president, my team and I developed a financial model that charted a clear path to restore TSU’s financial stability within a few years.

This plan provided a viable alternative to punitive measures like financial exigency, which I firmly believe would jeopardize TSU’s long-term mission.

Despite the challenges, I remain hopeful. TSU can and must be saved because historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) matter now more than ever.

Why HBCUs like TSU are essential

I have spent much of my career at the intersection of finance and higher education, leading turnarounds at Clark Atlanta University, Kentucky State University, and Tennessee State University.

I also helped establish the HBCU Executive Leadership Instituteto prepare future leaders. This work has shown me the unmatched power and promise of HBCUs.

HBCUs are not just institutions of higher learning; they are beacons of opportunity that have anchored communities, fueled America’s progress, and uplifted generations. Since the first HBCU was founded in 1837, they have provided pathways to education and social mobility for learners, often excluded from traditional systems.

TSU embodies this mission with a unique combination of responsibilities:

An HBCU legacy of access and impact.
A Land Grant Institution supporting agricultural and economic development.
An R2 Carnegie Classification for research and innovation—one of only 11 HBCUs to achieve this designation.
A Regional Comprehensive University serving as Nashville’s public university.

Few universities carry this weight, and TSU has stood as a vital engine of progress since 1912.

Consider the contributions of HBCUs

HBCUs are engines of impact across all areas of society:

Arts & Culture: From literary pioneers like Langston Hughes to TSU alumna Oprah Winfrey, HBCUs have shaped culture, creativity, and storytelling worldwide.
Economic Empowerment: HBCUs generate $16.5 billion annually in economic impact, creating jobs and driving local economies. Combined as a company, they would rank among the top 50 Fortune 500 employers.
Education & Research: HBCUs confer 17% of bachelor’s degrees earned by Black students despite being only 3% of all institutions. TSU’s research leads to advancements in agriculture, engineering, and science.
Health & Well-Being: HBCUs produce a disproportionate share of Black doctors, nurses, and health professionals, addressing disparities in underserved communities.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship: HBCUs foster leaders and innovators, empowering graduates to launch businesses, solve problems, and create societal change.

Challenges facing TSU and public HBCUs

Despite these extraordinary contributions, HBCUs like TSU face systemic barriers: decades of underfunding, structural misalignment, and rising external pressures. Inflation, declining enrollment, and the FAFSA rollout delay have further strained resources.

TSU, for instance, has endured a 23% enrollment drop, with inefficiencies in financial aid systems and affordability concerns compounding the challenge.

At the same time, the burden of historic underfunding cannot be ignored; reports from the U.S. Department of Education estimate Tennessee owes TSU $2.1 billion in underfunded land-grant appropriations.

The Governor and General Assembly have acknowledged $544 million owed, and recent steps have been taken to address this. However, far more is required to close the gap and secure TSU’s future.

A path forward: Valuing and futureproofing HBCUs

Perception drives action. HBCUs must no longer be viewed as struggling institutions but as vital engines of progress that drive America’s success. Futureproofing HBCUs will require:

Equitable Investment: Address historic funding gaps and provide operational resources, not just infrastructure dollars.
Financial Sustainability: Align expenditures with revenue, unlock new funding sources, and optimize resources.
Student-Centered Innovation: Modernize enrollment systems, expand financial aid access, and ensure student affordability.
Elevating the HBCU Identity: Redefine the HBCU brand to honor its legacy while advancing a future-focused mission.