NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A project at the center of a more than decade-long debate is one step closer to becoming a reality.
The Metro Council voted last night to approve an agreement between Metro Government, Metro Schools, Metro Parks and Belmont University to allow Belmont to build an indoor batting and locker room facility behind Rose Park Middle School. This was the second of three votes on the project.
The multi-million dollar facility will be paid for and operated by Belmont but can be used by Metro Students and local kids.
Before the vote, multiple people weighed in on the proposal, both on the phone and by addressing council members in person. The majority spoke in favor of the proposal.
“This is one thing that will help the community without create a tax burden,” said one man. “It will create a benefit.”
“This is an opportunity to do something for our children that they don’t have access to in Edgehill,” said another resident.
The lead sponsor of the bill, Council Member Burkely Allen said the bill has been the subject of multiple community meetings and has been revised to accommodate input from residents. She said a community advisory board consisting of a member of Metro Parks, Metro Schools, Belmont University, Metro Council members and a neighborhood appointee will help make sure no concerns slip through the cracks. Also, community groups will be given priority when making reservations to use the facility.
However, opponents still said they don’t like what is being built, where it is being built and how it came about.
“This is our public property and selling it to a private university that uses discriminatory hiring practices is frankly wrong,” said one resident.
This isn't the first battle between the University and neighbors over new buildings; The two sides first fought it out more than ten years ago after the neighbors accused Belmont of "taking over" Rose Park. Belmont originally wanted to put the new athletic building in Rose Park alongside the baseball field, softball field, and soccer field and track placed there 10-years ago.
The bill comes up for a third and final vote at the Sept. 15 council meeting.
