PETITION – NO PAID PARKING ON MUSIC ROW

To Whom It May Concern: We, the undersigned, respectfully ask NDOT to withdraw its proposal to convert 209 street parking spaces on Music Row into paid parking. This program would cause significant harm to the economic model of Music Row, which does not fit into a typical retail formula. NDOT made this proposal with no community engagement whatsoever, despite several claims to the contrary. The music industry contributes millions of dollars a year into Nashville, and to compromise the ability of working musicians, songwriters and engineers to come and go in one of Nashville’s most productive and significant neighborhoods is a short-sighted plan that could have major negative consequences.

Since its inception, NDOT has a history of initiating changes in Nashville without community engagement. This “act now and ask questions later” approach is extremely unacceptable, and demonstrates a lack of knowledge and understanding of the things that make our city unique. This is one of the last places on earth where an unknown talent can come and make a career out of nothing but talent and determination. This change will put that much more pressure on those who are the future of Nashville, and can barely afford to live here.

In addition, we request that the previous spaces that turned into paid parking on Music Row with no notice, which has caused damage to our business models, be returned to their previous status as free parking. Music Row contributes millions to the Nashville economy and this unilateral action by NDOT with no community engagement whatsoever feels like punitive punishment for the business of Music Row that made Nashville into Music City.  

Dave Pomeroy – President, Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, 11 Music Circle N.

Comments from Bart Herbison, (Executive Director Nashville Songwriters Association International) and Dave Pomeroy (President, AFM Local 257) 

"The Nashville Songwriters Assn. International (NSAI) has received numerous complaints since Metro instituted paid versus free street parking in the area adjacent to our facility at 1710 Roy Acuff Place on Music Row. Specifically, members are not only complaining that they now must pay for parking but also are levied with fines, often moments after they park and either forget to pay or are unaware that they are now required to pay. Please realize that we are the organization who nurtures the careers of aspiring songwriters and artists who eventually become the individuals behind the brand 'Music City USA.' Consider the monthly dues are only $20 dollars and weekly visits to the building that assists them are now dramatically outweighed by parking costs. Many members have simply stopped their memberships due to this situation and the attendance at our regular workshops has noticeably decreased since the paid parking requirement took effect."
Bart Herbison, Executive Director, Nashville Songwriters Assn. International (NSAI)

“Despite all the changes our city has seen, Music Row is at the heart of what makes Nashville unique in the entertainment world and remains a vital business-oriented area of Nashville. Union offices, recording studios, publishing companies, record labels, managers, booking agents, and many other music-oriented businesses are centered in this area. For example, AFM Local 257 has 2000 dues paying members, and only 24 parking spaces in our lot with 5 spaces out front that are used constantly with frequent turnover. To unilaterally impose paid parking all over this area with no input from the businesses of Music Row is short sighted and will be severely damaging to our ability to do business. I have spoken to dozens of shareholders in this area and no one I have spoken to had any input or warning from NDOT that these changes were coming. Nashville’s music industry creates millions of dollars of revenue for our city every year, and over the past 75 years, Music Row has played a significant role in the increased revenue Nashville sees from tourists, music fans, and the entertainment industry. This feels like punishment for our businesses, and should not be approved by Metro Nashville government.”

Dave Pomeroy, Bassist/President, Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257