Mayoral Candidates Sound Off On Riverfront Development

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville's area along the Cumberland River for years has been an area of industrial use where businesses load everything from sand to scrap metal onto barges.

Related: Video: Mayoral Candidates Sound Off On Riverfront Future | Survey

It is an important use of the river, but is it the best use of riverfront property?

On Wednesday, Channel 4 asked some of the mayoral candidates how they want to change the area along the river and who should pay for it.

"What we'll do is construct a park area with fountains and water guns. There will be a sense you can approach the river. It's key for the west side of the river to become part of downtown," said mayoral candidate Karl Dean.

Candidate Buck Dozier said he would turn to private developers and Metro government to revitalize the area.

"On the east bank where we've got scrap metal which is quite ugly, that would be mixed use, I'm looking at retail, a lot of new homes, apartments maybe some Metro buildings over there I kind of envision some over there,” said Dozier.

Candidate Howard Gentry said he has a theme park or themed development in mind.

"I would like to see a family friendly riverfront, but also a riverfront that provides everything the community needs, (including) retail, restaurants and activities," said Gentry.

Candidate Bob Clement said hasn't given up on a baseball stadium.

"Let's not leave baseball out of the equation. A lot of folks can't afford a Tennessee Titans game, but they can go to a baseball game and take their extended family," said Clement.

David Briley said he wants to make sure the city doesn't give away valuable land now owned by the taxpayers.

"The thermal site can be developed exclusively by private sector. It needs to have oversight from the city. We need to look to get tax dollars from the site, not give tax dollars," said Briley.

The candidates virtually all agreed that they want private developers to kick-in most of the money for development, but they want the city to make the final decision on what gets built.

The idea is to make sure that the public doesn't lose access to all of the riverfront property, they agreed.