Mayor Does Not Think Nashville Sounds' Attendance Will Lag Despite Off-Site Parking

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said that he does not think attendance "will lag" in the first year of the Triple-A PCL Nashville Sounds' ballpark, despite "relying significantly on off-site parking lots and shuttles to get fans" to the games, according to Joey Garrison of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. The mayor's office will "release a plan in the coming weeks that will lay out parking and traffic accommodations" surrounding First Tennessee Park. A mixed-use residential project planned by Sounds Owner Frank Ward and the team -- estimated to cost $60M "in private dollars and slated for beyond the left-field wall of the stadium -- is also lacking for now." Ward said that a groundbreaking on that venture could take place "some time this summer." He said that his team "plans to submit plans to the Metro Development and Housing Agency as early as this month" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 2/5). In Nashville, Dave Ammenheuser reports project manager Ron Gobbell "promises First Tennessee Park will be ready" when the Sounds play their scheduled home opener on April 17. The ballpark at first glance "appears to be the latest home run for the city" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 2/5).