Inside Politics: Mayor Megan Barry (November 2017)

Mayor Megan Barry is our guest on INSIDE POLITICS this week. She joins us at a very busy, and crucial time for her administration with a final vote set for next week on the Metro Council approving bond funding for the $275 million major league major soccer stadium to be built at the Historic Fairgrounds. Lots of last minute questions are arising over the demolition of some current buildings at the Fairgrounds (which will require a two thirds Council vote) and a 10-acre mixed use project that developers want to a part of their lease with the city. Meanwhile some councilmembers want more guarantees that the lease payments from the developers will be there regardless and not leave taxpayers on the hook for the bonds. There are also questions arising over the Mayor’s 5.2 billion transit plan which was unveiled in recent days. The proposal is not set to go to the Council until last this year with a voter referendum in May 2018 if Council approves. But given the details of the plan (everyone is a traffic engineer) and the size of the tax increases involved, it is not surprising the discussion has already begun in earnest across Nashville.