The State Fairgrounds in South Nashville, home of the Tennessee State Fair for more than 100 years, is one of the most talked about properties in the city. But for years there has been an air of uncertainty surrounding the property. Should it be redeveloped, improved, or should the fairgrounds move to a more central location?
Monday night Metro planners and consultants got to hear from the public about what they think should be done to the property. Laura Flarety owns a home near the fairgrounds and put her idea on the table tonight.
"You can drive by the fairgrounds any day of the week, you will see a chain link fence, it's gated off, and really inaccessible to neighbors. It would be great to get in the property, be able to walk the dog, a little green space, it would be more welcoming," Flarety said.
Monday night's public input is the first phase of the "Fairgrounds Master Plan." Buck Dozier, executive director of Nashville Expo Center, told Channel 4 News that unlike other plans over the past few years, this one is different.
"This plan won't gather any dust, something will be done about it. In 2013 a decision will be made concerning the future of the fairgrounds, and everybody will welcome that. The uncertainty on refurbishing it, or to rebuild somewhere else," Dozier said.
The full plan on the fairground's future is expected to be ready by early 2013.
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