CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The vote to purchase land for the proposed downtown Multi-Purpose Event Center met overwhelming approval Monday night at the Montgomery County Commission meeting. The purchase of the land has been debated for months.
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The vote was 16-4 in favor. Commissioners voting ‘yes’ for the property purchase were commissioners John Gannon, Charlie Keene, Joe Smith, Rashidah Leverett, Tangi Smith, Carmelle Chandler, James Lewis, Joe Creek, Lisa Prichard, Walker Woodruff, Loretta Bryant, Chris Rasnic, Jason Knight, Garland Johnson, Jerry Allbert, and Larry Rocconi.
Minority vote were commissioners Rickey Ray, Arnold Hodges, Brandon Butts and Joshua Beal. Opponents questioned contracts and timelines, but were met with firm answers by Mayor Durrett.
“I can assure you,” Durrett told the commissioners, “that I would not bring a request for construction funds to this body without a written agreement.”
Montgomery County commissioners had few questions at the informal meeting earlier this month regarding the purchase of the property. The land to be purchased is at the corner of Second and Main Streets, in several parcels. Charles Hand owns the majority share. Other parcel owners include Leo Millan and Dr. Alan Werner.