News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Crossville city officials will look into combining management of the amphitheater and depot.
City Manager Greg Wood said multiple individuals have come forward with ways to help improve the depot as the city braces for lost revenue.
“When the city took over the depot, at that point in time we really didn’t have any viable candidates to make a go of it,” Wood said. “In the last few months, we’ve had some people that have had some very good ideas that would like a crack at it. That, and the fact that we’re probably going to lose between $18,000 and $20,000 with the depot this year.”
Wood said offers proposed to the city would help bring more events and entertainment to the two venues.
“Some of the proposals that we’ve been given, they would mesh very well together,” Wood said. “One individual in particular is bringing entertainment to Crossville every Friday night and you can’t get a table at the place, and has developed some really good relationships with Nashville that could definitely benefit the city. Not just for the city, but for the whole downtown area for doing some things that we just haven’t done before.”
The new management structure would keep current employees and contracts associated with the depot. Wood said a stipend would also be offered for the amphitheater.
“Right now we pay for entertainment at the amphitheater, so in order to maintain that Thursday or Friday night entertainment, I don’t think it’d be fair because… we don’t charge anything for it so I don’t think it would be fair to ask them to take a loss on that,” Wood said. “But if they make a proposal that takes it all on, I’m sure we’d be glad to accept that proposal. I want to make it as even-handed and attract the best offers that we can.”
Council members unanimously voted to accept requests for proposals during Tuesday’s regularly-scheduled meeting.
