NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) -- Governor Bill Lee responds to stadium concerns as Metro Nashville City Council members get ready to vote on the possibility of a new home for the Tennessee Titans.
One council member said they appreciate Governor Bill Lee’s large investment into this project to help make a domed stadium even possible, but there’s still more to discuss before anything is signed off. The largest price tag to date, $2.1 billion for a new domed stadium for the Tennessee Titans.
Metro Nashville’s Sports Authority approved of the new stadium last week.
Council Member Courtney Johnston said she wants to know how much the city can afford for renovations and she said the finance director gave her the number of $300 million.
“One of the things that we learned about the current stadium right now, is that there's $257 million needed in enabling projects,” Courtney Johnston, metro council member said.
“That means an actual renovation, you've got $43 million left to do an actual renovation. Well, that's not much of a renovation. So, in my head, we can't afford a renovation, it doesn't matter what it's going to cost,” Johnston said.
FOX 17 News went to the governor to ask what his office plans to do to lower the burden of taxpayers.
“I think that investing in tourism, which is the number two driver of the economy in the state of Tennessee is important thing we've been doing that for a decade. Jobs are created and lives are changed in Tennessee when tourists come here. And tourists come to a city that has a significant venue like a covered dome stadium,” Governor Bill Lee said.
Council members said they have some questions and want clarifications moving forward
“What is the total cost of the infrastructure associated with this? Who's paying for that? I want to know if we can get an estimate on this. Capital repairs reserve fund, like what that's going to be we've heard hundreds of millions of dollars potentially,” Freddie O’Connell, council member, said.
The city council will take up an ordinance on Tuesday that would increase the hotel occupancy privilege tax one percent, with the proceeds to be used for construction and future capitol improvements for the new stadium.
There is also another East Bank public comment meeting on Wednesday at 6 p.m. where taxpayers can voice their concerns.