City to consider 10-year extension for Cool Springs Conference Center operating agreement; county hearing set first

City staff and representatives of Chartwell Hospitality told Franklin’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Aug. 26 that they are seeking a 10-year extension of the operating agreement for the Cool Springs Conference Center, moving the agreement’s expiration from October 2027 to October 2037.

Christine (staff) summarized the history: the original agreement among the city, Williamson County and the hotel owner dates to the late 1990s, the center opened in 1999 and the operating agreement was extended in 2013. "We are here in 2025, looking to extend the term through October 2037, which would be an additional 10 years," Christine said.

The presenter told the board there were no changes to the operator’s fee structure in the proposed extension. Michael Sanders, a representative from Chartwell Hospitality’s corporate office, attended the meeting and was available to answer questions.

Aldermen discussed the length of the extension and whether it could legally or practically limit future expansion of the conference center. Eric (staff) and Christine said the extension would not preclude future expansion or facility updates and noted the agreement contains a midpoint review at five years to assess operations. "This provides a baseline of where you are today and how we share revenue and run the [facility]," Eric said, adding that completion of a renovation was imminent.

Board members pressed for assurances that the extension would not ‘‘hem us in legally’’ and were told a review clause and the practical commercial relationship among hotel owner, operator and county would preserve flexibility. Alderman Berger and others argued the center has produced net positive returns in most years since 1999; staff noted that 23 of 26 years had produced positive cash flow, with losses tied to the great recession and COVID.

Williamson County planned to consider the extension on Sept. 8; city action was scheduled for Sept. 9. No formal vote or amendment was recorded in the transcript for the Aug. 26 work session.