Nashville Council to consider draft agreement to host 2024 Republican National Convention
A framework agreement that could bring the 2024 Republican National Convention to Nashville is slated for Metro Council consideration.
A bill approving an agreement between Metro, the Nashville 2024 Host Committee and the Republican National Committee for the convention will make its first appearance on Metro Council's agenda on July 5.
The bill would need to pass three readings to be approved, putting the council's final vote on the matter in early August.
The text of the bill and the framework agreement has not yet been made available to the public. Council member Robert Swope, the bill's sponsor, could not be reached for comment.
Approval of the framework agreement doesn't mean the convention is guaranteed to come to Nashville, but it would advance Nashville's position in the running.
Elected leaders in Milwaukee, the other final contender for the convention, unanimously approved its own framework agreement on June 1.
A final decision from the national Republican Party's site selection committee is expected by August at the latest.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper, a Democrat, said he has "serious concerns" about the resources required to host either political party's national convention in 2024.
Cooper has not approved any agreement with the RNC and "would not consider signing any agreement until after the Metro Council has had a chance to thoroughly scrutinize and conduct its own due diligence on what’s being proposed," Chief Communications Officer TJ Ducklo said in a statement Friday.
Nashville mayor ponders costs, security risks
Nashville's convention facilities are clustered in downtown. The potential Secret Service convention perimeter would center around Bridgestone Arena and Music City Center, and include parts of Lower Broadway.
Cooper's administration estimates the price tag to "lock down nearly all of downtown" could top $100 million. The convention's size and risk profile would be "unlike anything Nashville residents have ever seen," according to Ducklo's statement, and three previously scheduled conventions would have to be canceled to accommodate the RNC.
Cooper said in March that he would not "expect our hospitality industry to take a loss" to host the convention.
The convention is expected to draw an estimated $200 million in economic impact and tens of thousands of visitors to its host city.
Gov. Bill Lee and several Tennessee lawmakers support the idea of the convention coming to Nashville. Lawmakers approved a $25 million tourism grant that could go toward a potential convention earlier this year.
Milwaukee's agreement lays out anticipated road closures and security requirements. The city would apply for a $50 million security grant from the federal government, and Milwaukee officials have said they plan to raise $65 million through private funding for the event.
Nashville is looking to raise about $60 million through private and public sources, Tennessee Republican Party chairman Scott Golden said in March.
Bill Glauber and Alison Dirr contributed.
Cassandra Stephenson covers Metro government for The Tennessean. Reach her at ckstephenson@tennessean.com or (731) 694-7261. Follow Cassandra on Twitter at @CStephenson731.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Council to consider draft agreement to host 2024 RNC
