There is talk of using taxpayer money to bring NASCAR to Nashville, according to NobleNashville.com.
The website reported this week that Speedway Motors has met with Nashville Mayor David Briley since February of this year to discuss options.
“Over the past few months, outrageous proposals have been made such as using $54 million in public taxpayers’ money, and $2 million in cash from the city. Of course, Mayor Briley continues to deny proposals that involve using taxpayers’ money,” NobleNashville.com reported.
“This is where we have to ask, is it really worth it? The public and the fair board have no knowledge of the talks between Briley and Speedway Motors. What is known is that the Mayor continues to deny each proposal given to him.”
The website went on to say the idea is “horribly expensive and it would be a nuisance to all those living in the area. In the end, it may be best to leave things as they are.”
As reported in January, Nashville’s debt continues to climb, so much so it’s at its highest point in 10 years and city officials spent one out of every $10 of taxpayer money to pay off debt the last fiscal year.
As Metro Council member Steve Glover told The Tennessee Star last year, Nashville is broke and can’t afford to hand out more incentives for corporations, like the one proposed for Amazon.com
Speaking of cars, as The Star reported last October, Metro Nashville officials wanted fewer automobiles clogging up the roads every morning and spent at least $1.2 million in taxpayer money to try to make that happen.
Members of the Metro Planning Department launched what they called the Nashville Connector. They said the program will inform city residents about other transportation options — including carpooling, among other things.
A $1.2 million Tennessee Department of Transportation grant funds the program, with the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority providing an additional $293,560, according to the resolution calling for this Transportation Demand Management program.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
