NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), which had been included in the plan for Nashville’s East Bank development, has been “compelled to consider alternate sites” for their new home.
TPAC had been searching for a “new performance home” starting in 2023 and selected an architecture team to help achieve the vision for the new site. In January 2024, a site for TPAC was included in the East Bank development. News 2 previously reported that Metro would lease a portion of the 30 acres it gets in the East bank development deal.
However, according to TPAC, continued delays of the project have forced the performing arts center to look elsewhere for a new home.
In a statement provided to News 2, A spokesperson for TPAC said they’ve been in discussions with Metro since long before 2023 on a relocation plan.
TPAC has been working with Metro and the State to build a new home on the East bank of the Cumberland River, and TPAC and the State are committing a total of $600 million to the project.
TPAC has been in discussions with Metro since July 2021 regarding the relocation of the performing arts center. While we understood and expected there would be a transitional period with a new administration, we did not anticipate the process would still be in limbo after 15 months.
Metro’s requirements have exceeded the provisions of the MOU that was approved by Metro Council in February 2024, and TPAC has presented proposals that fully comply with it, including constructing a pedestrian bridge and funding TPAC’s proportional share of a bike ramp, neither of which are part of the new performing arts center facility.
We have done all we can to be responsive to Metro, and at this point, due to the delays and resulting costs of more than $14 million, we are compelled to consider alternate sites.”
TPAC Spokesperson
The Nashville Mayor’s Office said negotiations with TPAC for a new home on Metro-owned land in the East Bank have been ongoing.
Metro Council approved an MOU between TPAC and the city last year. Since then at TPAC’s request, we have continued negotiations around infrastructure costs that they committed to paying for when they signed the memorandum of understanding. TPAC has long-sought a lot on the East Bank that is the most expensive to develop because of its proximity to the pedestrian bridge. Metro believed TPAC was prepared to contribute money both to the pedestrian bridge and an exit ramp off the bridge. In order to advance discussions and offer more options, Metro has — in the months since — offered other lots and continued to negotiate on the original lot. Our hope is that we can strike an agreement that works for Metro taxpayers and provides a long-term home for the performing arts center.
Alex Apple, Deputy Communications Director
