One part of the flood wall would be removable. Slats would be installed between piers as the river rises and taken down when the flooding subsides. Credit: Metro Water Services

The Metro Council took its first look at a $100 million flood wall system to protect Nashville’s core Monday afternoon. And many council members disagree that downtown should take priority, especially those who represent areas where entire neighborhoods flooded in May 2010.



“I think that this is a boondoggle — I really do — to ask the people of Davidson county to pay their water bills that’s only going to affect several square blocks of downtown Nashville,” said councilman Phil Claiborne, whose

district includes the Opryland area.

Criticism was expected from members like Claiborne, who make up the council’s more conservative wing. But even some who tend to side with the Dean Administration have questions.

“Essentially you’re asking residential ratepayers to pay the bulk of an improvement for commercial business owners,” Councilman Jason Holleman told Metro Water Services director Scott Potter, who agreed, while pointing out more people are living downtown.

Councilman Carter Todd suggested downtown property owners should pitch in more since their insurance rates would likely go down with the flood wall. Potter said he hadn’t thought of that.

To fund smaller residential storm water projects, Councilman Fabian Bedne asked if there’s any way to shave even a few million dollars off the price tag to deepen ditches and install sewer drains in critical areas.

Potter said the downtown floodwall is

just the start and that after the May 2010 flood, the city will probably be in a permanent state of building flood protection.

“I recognize and acknowledge that this is an expensive project,” he said, continually coming back to his professional responsibility not to allow a repeat of May 2010. “I think this is what I’m supposed to do.”

The Metro Council will vote on the project next month. Many candidates for mayor have voiced skepticism of the downtown flood wall, though only Bill Freeman has said he would not go forward with it.