Mayoral Race Predictions?

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by mattec

It'll be interesting once he figures out that you can't take the tourist money generated in Downtown and Midtown/West End and spend it where ever. It's a part of a Tourism Development Zone and per state law can only be spent on tourism related infrastructure (Convention center, parking structures, ect) in the district boundaries. This additional revenue is generated by an increase in taxes within the district, as well as the state reducing the amount of taxes it takes, diverting them to Metro for use within the district. If you remove the TDZ, then you lose the revenue.

There are creative ideas to spend the money in other areas without breaking the state laws. Here are a few that have been used in other cities, including some of Nashville's suburbs, to stimulate economic growth and tourism:

Create incentives for redevelopment by promoting warehouse conversion into mixed use development such as breweries, local restaurants, music studios, or historical museums.

Create a green urban trail (see Atlanta Beltline, Indianapolis Monon Trail) to connect Nashville's neighborhoods, reduce carbon emissions, and promote exercise.

Create incentives for natural and organic urban farming, including specialty produce, hemp, and CBD production.

Create incentives for expanding unique to Tennessee food and beverage trails (see Kentucky's Bourbon Trail).

Create incentives for health-conscious local businesses such as climbing facilities, youth creative or athletic spaces, skate parks, gun safety/shooting ranges nutrition/prepared healthy food shops.

Create incentives to promote new local businesses in historically low income/red lined neighborhoods (see success of Slim and Huskies, Plaza Mariachi as examples).

[N.Cal]

Create incentives to promote new local businesses in historically low income/red lined neighborhoods

And a company wanted to do that - jobs AND training. And the local North Nashville neighbors shot it down. Slim & Huskies is great (one of the owners is my across the street neighbor), but those aren't high paying jobs.

[mattec]

Originally Posted by Shakeesha

There are creative ideas to spend the money in other areas without breaking the state laws. Here are a few that have been used in other cities, including some of Nashville's suburbs, to stimulate economic growth and tourism:

Create incentives for redevelopment by promoting warehouse conversion into mixed use development such as breweries, local restaurants, music studios, or historical museums.

Create a green urban trail (see Atlanta Beltline, Indianapolis Monon Trail) to connect Nashville's neighborhoods, reduce carbon emissions, and promote exercise.

Create incentives for natural and organic urban farming, including specialty produce, hemp, and CBD production.

Create incentives for expanding unique to Tennessee food and beverage trails (see Kentucky's Bourbon Trail).

Create incentives for health-conscious local businesses such as climbing facilities, youth creative or athletic spaces, skate parks, gun safety/shooting ranges nutrition/prepared healthy food shops.

Create incentives to promote new local businesses in historically low income/red lined neighborhoods (see success of Slim and Huskies, Plaza Mariachi as examples).

Those are nice ideas, but they cannot use the money from the TDZ if they aren't located within the boundaries.