NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The proposed Music City Center took center stage Tuesday night during a town hall debate at Union Station Hotel.
"I think people in Nashville should get an understanding of all the details on both sides of the issue," WLAC radio host Steve Gill told News 2.
Plans for a new downtown convention center have been moving forward but in a tough economy and with a $585 million price tag, some wonder whether the time is right and ask how the city will pay for it.
Metro Councilwoman Emily Evans' concern is for taxpayers.
"It puts the taxpayers at risk," she told News 2. "The proposal before us is one that requires the people of Davidson County to co-sign the loan."
Evans was among a mix of businessmen and city leaders who weighed the pros and cons of the proposed center Tuesday night.
Restaurant owner Randy Rayburn supports the project and believes it's needed for Nashville to remain competitive with other cities.
"Nashville has proven itself a premier destination and a product people want to come back time and time again because we are Music City USA," he said. "It's time for us to move forward and grow our economic base because this is about jobs, jobs, jobs."
The project would take three years to complete and city leaders have said it will create thousands of construction jobs.
Mayor Karl Dean said last week it will be paid for through tourism tax, not Davidson County taxpayers.
For now, it looks like the city will hold off on building an attached hotel, and instead pursue a private hotel development.
The Metro Council is scheduled to vote on the mayor's funding proposal on January 19.
Related Stories:
- Dec. 3, 2009: Mayor presents convention center financing plan
- Nov. 19, 2009: Mayor says courts will decide convention center land dispute
- Nov. 18, 2009: Owner says Metro's offer for convention center land too low
- Nov. 12, 2009: Proposed convention center has new, lower cost
- Oct. 20, 2009: Thousands attend rally for Rocketown
- 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
