The $61.8 Million Question

June 2025: Library Parking Garage Explosion

On June 20, 2025, a massive explosion in the downtown Nashville Public Library parking garage injured multiple people and caused millions in damage. The likely cause: improperly stored propane tanks.

The Pattern: The garage is managed by entities connected to the Downtown Partnership's network. Safety concerns had been raised previously but were dismissed. This explosion would force Nashville to confront decades of negligence.

The Questions: Who was storing propane in a public parking garage? Why were safety protocols ignored? And how many more disasters are waiting to happen under NDP's watch?

Sources: Nashville Banner, July 2025

Metro Ordinance O98-1037: The Law They Ignored

This is the law that created the District Management Corporation and required annual budget approval by Metro Council—a requirement ignored for 21 years.

Section 7.211.060 states:

"The District Management Corporation shall annually submit to the Metropolitan Council a budget for the ensuing fiscal year for the Central Business Improvement District... The Metropolitan Council shall review and may approve or disapprove in whole or in part the submitted budget."

What Went Wrong: Starting in 2004, DMC simply stopped submitting budgets for approval. Someone decided that sending information to the Finance Department was "sufficient"—but no one had the legal authority to make that change.

The Failed Audits of 2011

In October 2011, Metro Internal Audit conducted reviews of both the Central Business Improvement District and Gulch Business Improvement District. These audits represent a catastrophic failure of oversight.

Direct Quote from the Audit:

"The District Management Corporation receives and uses only Metro funds to carry out its functions."

The auditors acknowledged DMC uses "only Metro funds" but never verified those funds were legally authorized by Council as required by law.

By the Numbers: When these audits were conducted in 2011, approximately $8 million had already flowed through without required Council approval since 2004.

The Corporate Shell Game

The financial relationship between the Nashville District Management Corporation (DMC) and the Nashville Downtown Partnership (NDP) reveals a complex corporate structure designed to obscure accountability.

How It Works:

• DMC collects mandatory assessments from property owners (public entity)
• 100% of DMC funds transfer to NDP (private nonprofit)
• Same executives run both organizations
• NDP not subject to Council oversight like DMC should be

The Key Players: Tom Turner serves as CEO of both organizations. All vice presidents hold positions in both entities. At least 8 of 12 DMC board members are appointed by NDP.

The Fight for Real Solutions

While NDP spends millions criminalizing homelessness, advocates like Lindsey Krinks and Open Table Nashville work for evidence-based solutions.

The Housing First Model:

• Provides permanent housing without preconditions
• Achieves up to 98% retention rates
• Costs less than criminalization and emergency services
• Treats housing as a human right, not a reward

NDP's Counter-Productive Approach:

• 337 arrests creating barriers to housing and employment
• 900+ bus tickets destroying support networks
• Private security pushing people into unsafe areas
• 94,000 "interactions" with only 6% accepting services

The Law They Broke for 21 Years

Metro Ordinance O98-1037, Section 7.211.060 states:

"The District Management Corporation shall annually submit to the Metropolitan Council a budget for the ensuing fiscal year... The Metropolitan Council shall review and may approve or disapprove in whole or in part the submitted budget."

This isn't ambiguous. The law requires:

• Annual budget submission to Council
• Council review and approval power
• Financial transparency for public funds
• Democratic oversight of assessments

The Reality: For 21 years, DMC/NDP operated as if this law didn't exist. They sent information to the Finance Department and someone—we still don't know who—"deemed" that sufficient.

The Discovery: How 21 Years of Violations Were Uncovered

Council Member Sean Parker first raised concerns about the Downtown Partnership's budget process. Metro Attorney Margaret Darby's subsequent investigation revealed shocking findings.

The Legal Requirement: Metro ordinance requires the District Management Corporation to submit its budget to Council for approval annually. This isn't optional—it's the law.

What Actually Happened: Starting in 2003-2004, the organization simply stopped submitting budgets for approval. Instead, information was sent to the Finance Department and "deemed sufficient" by someone—though no one can say who or why.

The Investigation: Darby spent extensive time researching but found no documentation explaining the change. Her conclusion: "It looks to me like at some point in 2003, 2004, the budget stopped being submitted to the council for approval."

Source: July 14, 2025 Metro Council Meeting Transcript (1:30:50-1:32:57)

The Money Trail: $61.8 Million Without Oversight

From 2005 to 2023, the Nashville District Management Corporation collected and spent $61,874,188 without the legally required Council approval.

Key Financial Findings:

• $61,874,188 total flowed without Council approval (2005-2023)
• 100% of DMC funds transferred to Nashville Downtown Partnership annually
• CEO Tom Turner's salary increased 83% while avoiding oversight
• Budget grew 1,616% over 18 years
• Zero competitive bidding for major contracts

The Structure: DMC collects mandatory assessments from property owners. These public funds then flow directly to NDP, a private nonprofit. This structure creates layers of complexity that shield operations from public scrutiny.

Source: IRS Form 990s accessed via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

The Human Cost: Criminalizing Poverty

While executives collected six-figure salaries, the Downtown Partnership spent millions criminalizing homelessness rather than solving it.

The Programs:

• "Homeward Bound": 900+ one-way bus tickets given to homeless individuals
• Private Police: Solaren Security made 337 arrests in 2023-2024, 209 targeting homeless
• 94,000 "Interactions": But only 6% accepted services

The Reality: As Tom Turner admitted, it's about keeping downtown "clean" for property owners—not helping people. Every arrest creates barriers to housing and employment. Every bus ticket destroys support networks. The approach makes homelessness harder to escape.

Sources: NewsChannel 5, WSMV investigations, Metro arrest records