Image Credit: Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A Nashville group is looking to ban auto racing at the city’s fairgrounds.
Along with Metro Nashville Council member Terry Vo, the group wants to amend the city’s charter to no longer protect the activity at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway where auto racing has been hosted since 1904.
Specifically, the measure being put forward by Fairgrounds Preservation Partners (FPP) would prohibit auto racing within 1,000 feet of a creek on the property.
This will be the second time that such an effort has been attempted. A similar proposal early last year fizzled out.
The first step in the process to get a charter amendment proposal on the ballot next November is to file a notice with the Metro Clerk, something the racetrack opponents planned to do yesterday. Nashville’s charter has protected auto racing at the fairgrounds for the last decade and a half.
In order to be placed on the ballot, the plan must collect signatures from at least 10 percent of Davidson County’s registered voters but before that can happen, the Metro Charter Revision Commission must sign off on the measure.
While Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell is the latest city leader to deal with controversy over what should be done with the city-owned property, the debate over racing at the fairgrounds has been going on for decades.
O’Connell is rumored to be in support of a plan to rebuild the racetrack in order to entice NASCAR back to the city where it has not participated in racing since the 1980s, but an official proposal has yet to be announced.
After NASCAR stopped racing at the fairgrounds in 1984, the speedway continued to host other races during months when the weather is warmer.
FFP, which includes urban design advocates Civic Design Center, neighborhood group South Nashville Action People, and environmental group Cumberland River Compact, wants to see the property used for other priorities such as cleaning up Brown’s Creek, building more community park space and creating affordable housing.
“Nashvillians have been clear: they want more affordable housing, more green space, and more walkable neighborhoods,” said Vo in a release earlier this year. “That’s why I support exploring alternative uses of the speedway site, including the idea of restoring part of it to scenic green space – a place where families can picnic, children can play, and neighbors can come together.”
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
