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Committee approves lease with PNH Properties for downtown elevated open space after amendment
Summary
After public comment and debate about public access and programming, the committee approved BL2025‑1011 — two lease agreements with PNH Properties LLC for use of spaces at 120 Third Avenue North and 211 Commerce Street — as amended; vote recorded 6‑0 with one non‑voting member.
The Arts, Parks, Libraries & Entertainment Committee approved BL2025‑1011, an ordinance authorizing two lease agreements between the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and PNH Properties LLC for use of space at 120 Third Avenue North and 211 Commerce Street, after adopting an amendment clarifying public access and programming rights.
The ordinance was introduced and then amended on the floor. Committee discussion focused on whether the leased area, described in the record as a small elevated patio behind an office building and roughly "3 tenths of an acre," would remain public, how hours and closures would be handled, and which party would receive revenue from programming. The Parks Department staff reported that the space was transferred to Metro about 28 years ago and has not been permitted as a park. Parks staff and counsel said the Parks Board reviewed the proposal and voted in favor of the lease.
Public comment preceded the item. Steve Bridal urged the committee to follow conventional park permitting rather than approving a long lease he described as privatizing parkland: “To go there and ask for a 30 year lease with 2 10 year extensions to operate and maintain that park for their benefit for no rent at all just does not make any sense to me,” Bridal said on the record. He expressed concern that a privately administered lease would change operating hours and who is welcome in the space.
Parks staff (Mr. Roden) explained the lessee plans to build a small gift shop and elevator adjacent to the patio and that the majority of the surface will remain open. He said the space will provide storage and an operations area for Parks’ response teams. Tom Cross of Metro Legal said the space "is gonna be open generally when parks are open, which is not 24 hours a day. It's mostly sunup to sundown. And they have the right to close it for their events, but Metro Parks can also program events in there with appropriate notice." Cross and other speakers described an intent for a shared calendar so Parks and the lessee coordinate closures and events.
Several council members raised concerns about displacement and the downtown impact of privatized programming, citing Church Street Park and Walk of Fame Park as examples of partnerships that changed use patterns. One council member noted she believed the lease allows PNH to retain revenue from events; the meeting record does not contain the full lease language, and committee members repeatedly asked staff and counsel for clarification that access and programming would be coordinated.
The committee voted on the amendment clarifying public access and coordination; the amendment passed. The final vote on BL2025‑1011 as amended was recorded as 6 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 non‑voting. The mover and seconder for the main motion were not recorded on the meeting transcript provided.
