Committee approves contract for West Riverfront Amphitheatre operation, passes consent resolutions

The Arts, Parks, Libraries & Entertainment Committee voted to pass a management agreement on second reading with Nashville Riverfront Amphitheater LLC, an affiliate of Opry Entertainment Group, to operate and maintain the West Riverfront Amphitheatre and supporting grounds and buildings. The committee also approved a multi-item consent agenda that included resolutions for grants, park projects and a change to council representation on the Greenway and Open Space Commission.

The second-reading vote on BL 2025-10-50 approved an amended agreement that adds language allowing the amphitheater operator limited access to Metro-owned greenway property to construct a bridge-style access route outside the amphitheater footprint. Committee members and staff said the change is intended to expedite construction of Greenway access and have the project complete before the next operating season. A committee member described the amendment as a commitment by the operator to build the enhancement and to provide design funding.

Colin Reed, identified in the meeting as executive chairman of Ryman, spoke on behalf of the operator and described the company’s plans and commitments. “That piece of real estate is probably one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in Davidson County,” Reed said, describing a capital commitment to upgrade the amphitheater and unlock its potential. Reed said the company intends to be responsive to nearby neighborhoods on sound and operations and offered direct contact availability, saying he would provide his cell phone so officials can reach a senior representative if issues arise.

Committee members pressed the operator on noise mitigation and responsiveness. Committee members and staff said the amended agreement incorporates sound mitigation language—modeled on measures used in previous contracts—with set decibel limits, an on-site monitoring device and automatic notifications to the parks department if levels are exceeded. The operator said it will recruit a manager for the amphitheater and maintain monitoring comparable to what was used under the prior operator.

The consent agenda read into the record included the following items (captions read by committee staff): - RS 2025-1556: A resolution approving an application for a Beaman Park Protection Grant to acquire approximately 308 acres adjoining Alvin G. Beaman Park in Davidson County. - RS 2025-1561: A resolution accepting a Project Diabetes grant to the Nashville Farmers Market to expand the Fresh Bucks program. - RS 2025-1572: A resolution approving Amendment 2 to a grant contract with Why We Can't Wait, Inc., for after-school programming via the Nashville After School Zone Alliance. - RS 2025-1573: A resolution accepting an in-kind grant from the Centennial Park Conservancy to support improvements on Centennial Park's north side. - RS 2025-1574: A resolution approving Amendment 3 to the Centennial Park Master Plan support grant. - RS 2025-1575: A resolution approving a USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program grant to Metro Parks for after-school meal service at 17 community centers. - BL 2025-1062: An ordinance amending Metro Code section 2.154.010(b) to change council member representation on the Greenway and Open Space Commission.

Committee leadership read the captions and called for a voice vote; the consent agenda passed on the committee voice vote.

Votes and formality: The meeting record shows voice votes for both the consent agenda and the amended second-reading passage of BL 2025-10-50. The transcript records the chair asking “All in favor… say aye” followed by “Bill has passed second reading.” A roll-call tally by name was not recorded in the transcript.

What the committee approved - The agreement with Nashville Riverfront Amphitheater LLC (BL 2025-10-50) as amended, which: (a) authorizes the operator to manage, operate and maintain the amphitheater and supporting grounds and buildings under the contract; (b) adds contract language granting the operator access to Metro greenway property to build an alternate greenway/bridge access outside the amphitheater footprint; and (c) includes sound mitigation and monitoring measures carried over or strengthened from the prior contract. Committee members said the operator committed capital for upgrades and to complete the Greenway access before the next operating season.

Next steps and timing: The bill passed second reading in committee as amended; the transcript does not record final adoption timing beyond second reading in this committee. Staff and the operator said they plan to coordinate design and permitting with Metro Parks and the mayor’s office to build the greenway access and to recruit an amphitheater manager before the operating season.

Endnote: The committee also received a presentation after the votes from Metro Arts (covered in a separate article) and adjourned after the presentations and Q&A session.