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Fairgrounds staff report progress on Lot 2, parking and event schedule; finance report shows preliminary shortfall and city support
Summary
Staff reported site work on Lot 2, stormwater redesigns and utility relocations; finance reported preliminary July figures showing a $37,100 operating deficit year to date and an approved council investment of about $989,600 for the fiscal year. Staff also described event scheduling pressures for racing and soccer.
Nashville Fairgrounds staff told the Board of Fair Commissioners on Aug. 12 that several capital projects are moving forward — including Lot 2 improvements, overhead utility relocations at Windgrove Street and a revised off-site stormwater design — while operations and events staff outlined scheduling pressures ahead of the annual fair.
Collier Engineering reported the Lot 2 retaining wall is complete, underground electrical inspections have passed and site electrical work will proceed before the fair. Materials for underground stormwater work are on site; contractors will store those materials behind temporary barricades during the fair and complete storm drainage, water services and final paving after the fair. Collier said potholing for gas-line locations is planned before mobilization, and lane-closure permits from Metro and TDOT will be required for some work.
On the infrastructure billing cadence, staff said invoices typically trail work by 45 to 60 days; the board was told a recent Lot 2 excavation invoice of about $150,000 reflected work performed in June and was just posted in August's reports.
Finance provided preliminary July 2025 figures. Year-to-date revenue at the time of the report was approximately $152,200 and expenses about $189,300, producing an operating variance of about $37,100. Depreciation expense was reported at roughly $114,000. The board was told the annualized revenue forecast is approximately $4.6 million, expenses roughly $5.0 million, and that the council approved an investment of about $989,600 that is included in revenue projections. Aging receivables were reported at about $43,100.
Operations and event staff described schedule conflicts that affect racing and large events. Track management said finding alternate dates is difficult because racing schedules avoid back-to-back weekends; staff are working to schedule a possible makeup race in mid-October. Soccer operations said the Major League Soccer season and international events (including FIFA Club World Cup and an Aston Villa exhibition) have brought new visitors to Geodis Park and that the 2026 World Cup will compress next season’s MLS schedule, which could complicate event planning.
Board members discussed fair staffing and logistics; operations said they are coordinating with recycling vendors and completing electrical drops and site cleanup before the fair. The board also discussed meeting scheduling: the board will not meet in September because of the fair, will poll members on October meeting dates (to avoid fall break) and proposed moving the November meeting to Nov. 4 because Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) is a metro holiday.
No formal board action was taken on capital contracts at the meeting; the board received updates and asked staff for follow-up schedules and cost postings to reflect the invoice cadence.
