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A resolution appropriating an amount, not to exceed $50,000, from the Undesignated Fund Balance of the General Fund, for a grant to Music City, Inc., a non-profit organization, for the express purpose of restoring and rehabilitating the Elks Lodge.
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WHEREAS, the Elks Lodge, formerly known as Club Baron, is a historic music venue located at 2614 Jefferson Street that has served as one of Nashville’s most culturally significant performance halls, featuring performances by legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Otis Redding, and countless others; and
WHEREAS, as one of only a small number of Black music venues in Middle Tennessee, the Elks Lodge has been a mainstay of North Nashville’s vibrant musical culture for decades and, in 2016, was commemorated as a historic landmark; and
WHEREAS, though the Elks Lodge endured through a tumultuous history beginning in the era of segregation, it has succumbed to the ravages of time, natural disasters, and neglect; and
WHEREAS, the construction of Interstate 40 added another obstacle to the survival of the Elks Lodge, dividing the surrounding community and shuttering the clubs and venues that once thrived on Jefferson Street; and
WHEREAS, in March 2020, tornadoes caused severe damage to the Elks Lodge structure, and the building now appears on Historic Nashville, Inc.’s nine most threatened historic structures; and
WHEREAS, Mayor John Cooper and Music City, Inc., a non-profit organization formed by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, are endeavoring to provide funds sufficient to restore and rehabilitate the Elks Lodge to its former glory and stature; and
WHEREAS, Section 7-3-314 of the Tennessee Code Annotated states that metropolitan forms of government may provide financial assistance to a non-profit organization in accordance with the guidelines of the Metropolitan Government; and
WHEREAS, Section 5.04.070 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws provides that the Metropolitan Council may, by Resolution, appropriate funds for the financial aid of non-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, the sum of $50,000 may appropriately be allocated by the Metropolitan Government from the Undesignated Fund Balance of the General Fund toward this endeavor; and
WHEREAS, it is to the benefit of the citizens of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that this grant be approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. There is hereby appropriated $50,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance of the General Fund to fund a grant to the non-profit organization, Music City, Inc.
PRIMARY
ACCOUNT # ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
01101700.505320 Administrative - Music City, Inc., Elks Lodge Restoration $50,000
Section 2. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is hereby authorized to enter a grant contract with the nonprofit organization listed in Section 1 above for the grant amount designated therein, subject to the terms and conditions under which the grant funds are to be spent, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This resolution appropriates an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the Undesignated Fund balance of the General Fund for a grant to Music City, Inc., a nonprofit organization, for the express purpose of restoring and rehabilitating the Elks Lodge. Music City, Inc., is a nonprofit formed by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation.
The Elks Lodge, formerly known as Club Baron, is a historic music venue located at 2614 Jefferson Street. Artists including Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Otis Redding, and other have performed at the venue. In 2016, the Elks Lodge was commemorated as a historic landmark. In March 2020, tornadoes caused damage to the Elks Lodge structure.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 7-3-314 provides that metropolitan forms of government may provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations in accordance with the guidelines of the Metropolitan Government. Section 5.04.070 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws provides that the Metropolitan Council may, by Resolution, appropriate funds for the financial aid of non-profit organizations.
The grant contract is attached to the resolution. The term of the grant is 24 months, beginning May 1, 2022 and ending April 30, 2024.
Fiscal Note: Metro will appropriate $50,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to account number 01101700.505320 of the Fund Balance to Music City, Inc. to fund a grant for the rehabilitation of the Elks Lodge.