WE ARE SO VERY CLOSE TO SIGNING A COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT WITH NASHVILLE SOCCER HOLDINGS
Dear Supporters,
We are thrilled to share that we are very close to signing a Community Benefits Agreement with Nashville Soccer Holdings (NSH). The huge turnout of Stand Up Nashville supporters at Metro Council on Monday proved that Nashville wants a strong CBA that sets a standard for the future. However, we still have outstanding issues that must be part of a CBA that will truly benefit our communities, and with your help, we are optimistic that we will get there. We remain dedicated to making history and changing the course of development in our city.
Monday was a big step for Nashville and we are excited to share the following tentative commitments:
Affordable Housing
20% of all housing units built at the development site will be set aside as Affordable and Workforce Housing.
A commitment to 3 bedroom units that reflect the need for family housing in our city.
Wage Floor
NSH agrees to directly hire stadium workers (ushers, ticket takers, box office janitorial, custodial, maintenance, field maintenance employees) and pay them $15.50 an hour.
The establishment of a first-of-its kind targeted hiring program in Nashville with dedicated staff that will connect individuals with barriers to employment to future job opportunities at the stadium.
Community Services & Amenities
- 4,000 sq ft will go to a childcare facility, which will operate on a sliding scale.
- 4,000 sq ft will go to establishing micro-unit retail spaces for artisans and local small businesses at a reduced rental rate.
- NSH will host annual coaching clinics for Metro School and other youth soccer coaches and donate soccer equipment to these programs.
Community Advisory Committee
- A Joint Committee will be established with community representation. This Committee will oversee the implementation of the CBA, monitor successes, ensure compliance with the terms of the CBA, and produce an annual public report.
We’re Not Done Yet:
We have gotten some of the most important commitments agreed upon so far, but Stand Up Nashville is serious about uplifting all of Nashville, not just portions of it.
As building is booming in Nashville, far too many construction workers in our city are earning poverty wages and suffering injuries, and even death on the job. That’s because many only get access to the jobsite through predatory temp services. We cannot in good conscience complete or sign off on this CBA without implementing better standards for the hard working men and women who build our city. Having standards for high road contractors and all their subcontractors is how we achieve that goal. This is already widely used on public-private partnerships in in peer cities like Austin, Dallas, and Atlanta.
Before Nashville was touted as the “It City,” it has always been proud of its diversity, yet the city has struggled to reflect that diversity through economic inclusion. Including minority contractors is a crucial part of economic equity that we cannot ignore. Until there is a commitment to level the playing field for local and minority businesses, we cannot in good consciences sign off on this agreement.
If this resonates with you, its urgent you use your voice to support the hard working men and women who build our city and support our local economy by posting on your social media using the hashtags #CBA4MLS #HighRoadContractors #MinorityBusiness and emailing Council Members at councilmembers@nashville.gov.
With your help, we can make this a huge win for all of Nashville!
For justice,
Stand Up Nashville
