Electricians Waiting for the Opportunity

uesday, January 12th, 2010, by Blake Farmer

A public hearing Monday night on the planned downtown convention center attracted supporters and opponents alike.

Many of those who spoke in favor of the $585 million building project had a business interest. Others, like Don McGee of the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention, said he just wanted a bigger convention center so the denomination could again hold its annual gatherings in its hometown.

Christopher Wild is looking for a more personal impact. He’s an unemployed electrician who is hopeful he could be hired for one of the 2,000 jobs needed for the construction phase.


“It’s surprising to me that there is such resistance for an opportunity for this city to capitalize on its greatness, not only for the jobs that it would create for the construction industry short term, but long term, for those who would maintain this facility.”

A consultant hired by the city estimates the convention center would support 1,500 new jobs after construction is finished.

But business consultant Jody Lentz and dozens of others questioned the underlying assumptions for the economic estimates. Lentz says the convention business may not be as reliable as the forecasts predict.


“This strikes me as a huge bet on one particular project when I’m a betting man. I like to spread my bets around, and putting all the money on this one number in hopes it will pay off is not a good strategy.”

The Metro Council is scheduled to take a final vote on the convention center next Tuesday.