The proposed sports-entertainment complex includes a mixed-use tower with a hotel and residential spaceMUSIC CITY MLB
The group behind the effort to bring MLB to Nashville "released renderings of what a sports and entertainment district on the east side of the Cumberland River might look like, along with more detailed plans on its initiative," according to Tommy Deas of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. The three renderings from Music City Baseball show a retractable-roof ballpark near Nissan Stadium and a complex that "includes a college baseball hall of fame and a mixed-use tower with a hotel and residential space." A 1 million square-foot office tower also would be part of the complex. Music City Baseball Managing Dir John Loar has "assembled an advisory group" that includes former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin, former D-backs GM Dave Stewart and Red Sox Special Assistant & VP/Baseball Operations Tony La Russa. The group also has launched a website, mlbmusiccity.com. The group "plans to raise substantial money to further its effort." It says that it "will not seek public money to fund stadium construction or development." It has also "studied possible sites in Williamson and Rutherford counties" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 10/2).
NO SURE THING: In Nashville, Marq Burnett noted the picture of what MLB could look like in the city is "coming into clearer focus." But "gaining control" of the land on the Cumberland River is "just one hurdle the group still faces." Mayor John Cooper was "publicly critical of the overall plan for the forthcoming soccer stadium" at the Fairgrounds Nashville, as he opposed the city's Metro Council granting Nashville SC's ownership 10 acres of land to develop around the stadium. Loar said that he has had a "preliminary conversation with Cooper, but noted there have been no commitments made at this time" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/1).
