CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Montgomery County Government’s surprise proposal to build a major new venue in the heart of Downtown Clarksville appears to be in conflict with the county’s obligation to properly fund the consolidated Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.
“It’s shocking that Montgomery County government would secretly study a new sports arena for Downtown Clarksville for 18 months without engaging the City of Clarksville and the entire community,” Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan said Thursday. “The City owns and controls the streets, and infrastructure such as gas, water, sewer and electric power systems. Yet the county has moved ahead with these plans without ever discussing these ideas with City Hall. That’s simply unwise and not in the best interest of taxpayers.”
The City of Clarksville has been working on extensive plans for a Downtown Performing Arts and Conference Center and a Community Athletic Complex to serve the community’s broad needs to revitalize downtown and provide for additional recreational amenities for families.
“The Performing Arts and Conference Center plan and the Athletic Complex at Exit 8, which also includes a potential ice rink and involvement by the Nashville Predators, are City-funded projects that are well thought out and ready to go,” McMillan said.
“Meanwhile, Montgomery County government is struggling to find money to pay for much-needed school construction,” Mayor McMillan added. “Taxpayers must question whether it’s wise for the county to embark on a potentially expensive plan to provide municipal amenities without even seeking the involvement of the City of Clarksville.”
Editor’s Note: Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett sent the following in response to this story:
“On February 29, 2016 Mayor McMillan and I flew to Frisco, Texas along with some other community leaders to look at a facility similar to the proposed MPEC the Dallas Stars currently use for practice. On March 1, 2016 before heading back to the airport we had an after action meeting with the group. Mayor McMillian stated “we need to think smaller and be the small community we are”. I embrace our community of Clarksville-Montgomery County for who we are. We are one of the fastest growing counties in the state of Tennessee and for that reason we can never stop striving for progress. That is the reason I have raised my family here and dedicated my career to making Montgomery County a better place to live and work, but I will never think small. Mayor McMillan and I just have different ideas of how we measure success.
I truly want a partner in the City that thinks outside the box, and wants to deliver real results for our community. The lack of communication between the city and county government is very real. I could cite numerous examples, but will take that up with Mayor McMillian if she is willing to meet me or return an email. She mentions school debt, recently we reached out, via email, and asked for a discussion about helping fund the debt with the remaining 1/4% of the sales tax, we received no response. I stand ready to work with Mayor McMillian when and if she is ready, just as I have since day one.
I apologize for the delayed response as I have been on Fort Campbell for most of the day. I fight every day for Montgomery County and its residents and I thank you for the opportunity.”