NASHVILLE, Tenn. - As plans for Nashville's new convention center continue to move forward, the city is continuing negotiations with almost a dozen businesses that will have to move.
Rocketown is one of them.
The youth entertainment and outreach center is located on the corner of Franklin Street and 6th Avenue, and will have to move to make way for a new road that will anchor the massive center.
A fundraiser was held Tuesday at Lipscomb University to keep the organization alive, no matter where it might have to move.
The fundraiser drew 2,500 supporters, including country star Martina McBride, Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher and former Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy.
The center also earned praise from Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
"Its commitment and hard work is something I value and support and I know Rocketown will continue for many years to be a huge part of our city's success," he said at Tuesday's fundraiser.
Regina Newkirk, Executive Director at Rocketown, said the center is still in negotiations with the city but looking at facilities close to its current location.
"We're still in the process of negotiations," she said. "We're really hoping we can wrap up in the next two weeks."
Rocketown has said all along, being downtown is important to stay close to the kids it serves.
"[The kids] come from all over Nashville. Walking after school, riding the Metro bus also... Being downtown is very important to us," Audra Davis told News 2 earlier this year.
Rocketown is the vision of gospel entertainer Michael W. Smith for inner city youth and each week it gives about 1,300 teens a safe place to go and feel loved, accepted and encouraged.
Related Stories:
- Oct. 20, 2009: Metro Council to decide voter impact on convention center
- Oct. 15, 2009: Mayor may face another fight on convention center front
- Oct. 14, 2009: Mayor sees convention center as 'jobs' package
- Oct. 9, 2009: Nashville attracts more convention business
- Sept. 29, 2009: Council questions convention center 'team'
- Sept. 21, 2009: Mayor says Country Music Hall of Fame plans to expand
- Sept. 16, 2009: Mayor gives proposed convention center new price tag
- August 19, 2009: Special meeting called over Convention Center Authority
- August 17, 2009: Auditor will review spending for new convention center
- August 12, 2009: Marriott to run convention center hotel
- June 16, 2009: City selects developer to build Music City Center hotel
- June 2, 2009: Council approves land purchase for Music City Center
- May 19, 2009: Proposed convention center step closer to reality
- April 14, 2009: City leaders say proposed convention center needed now
- March 6, 2009: Greyhound probably won't appeal zoning vote
- March 5, 2009: Zoning board denies proposal to move Greyhound
- Feb. 24, 2009: Businesses voice opposition to Greyhound station relocation
- Feb. 6, 2009: Greyhound looks at Murfreesboro Rd. location
- Feb. 5, 2009: Rocketown will move to accommodate convention center
- Jan. 29, 2009: Plans for new convention center unveiled
- Aug. 15, 2008: Public shares ideas on proposed convention center
The proposed Music City Center would sit in the area bordered by Demonbreun Street to the north, Franklin and Shirley streets to the south, 8th Avenue to the west and 5th Avenue to the east.
