A proposed Metro Council ordinance would require the city to make a contribution to Nashville's affordable housing fund whenever economic development incentives are granted to companies.

The filing of the legislation, co-sponsored by council members Fabian Bedne and Colby Sledge, comes as the council will take up a $15 million incentive package later this year that Mayor David Briley's administration has offered to Amazon for a new downtown Nashville hub the company plans.

The ordinance would require Metro government provide a contribution "of an equivalent amount" to the Barnes Fund for Affordable Housing upon the annual appropriation of an economic and community development grant to a company.

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Bedne, a progressive Democrat, said he introduced the bill in response to concerns about the pressure on the housing market as a result of so many people moving to Nashville when companies expand here. He said he started contemplating the legislation during the council's approval of a $275 million Major League Soccer stadium project last fall.

Bedne said the proposal is a way to address other issues that arise when incentives are used to attract companies to Nashville.

"We don't look at the social impact of that incentive," he said. "I know that incentives have a role to play, but for me it's how we do it. How do we measure what it does and the impact it has on the city?"

The bill heads to the council on a first of three required votes Thursday.

Amazon announced a new "Operations Center of Excellence" in November at the Nashville Yards development downtown that would bring 5,000 corporate jobs that pay an average of $150,000.

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Briley has pledged $500 for each new job over seven years, which would total $15 million over that time. It's a small chunk of the $102 million in overall incentives offered to Amazon when also factoring in a contribution from the state of Tennessee.

If Metro's Amazon incentives are approved, and the new housing ordinance passes as well, then Metro would have to make a payment of $15 million to the Barnes Fund.

"I think it's what Nashville wants," Bedne said of his proposal. "People have been talking about equity."

Bedne said he's heard some ask why the ordinance doesn't force the company to make the affordable housing contribution instead of the city. He said that would ideally be the case, but he views his bill as effectively requiring Metro split any incentive payment halfway with the Barnes Fund.

The Barnes Fund, created in 2013, works as a pool of money that goes to developers willing to build affordable or workforce housing. The fund has taken on a larger role as the city works to combat the effects on housing caused by rampant gentrification.

The Barnes fund currently has a balance of $10 million.

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Briley noncommittal on bill tying incentives, affordable housing

Under the past three mayors, including Briley, Nashville has regularly turned to property tax breaks and other incentives for economic development. In addition to the Amazon deal, the council will also take up an incentive package expected to be filed for AllianceBernstein, a New York-based global investment management firm that is planning to open a new Nashville headquarters with 1,050 jobs in 2020.

In a statement, Briley spokesman Thomas Mulgrew was noncommittal on whether the mayor supports the bill but said he "welcomes ideas that address affordable housing needs and appreciates Councilmember Bedne having this shared priority."

Mulgrew said the city's annual incentive payments to companies has never exceeded $1.53 million.

He also said that Briley pledged $10 million last year for the Barnes Fund, continuing a practice started under his predecessor, former Mayor Megan Barry. In addition, Briley committed $25 million in his capital spending plan last year to go toward affordable housing.

The mayor has proposed using that $25 million to build a new homeless service center as part of a proposed land swap with developer Tony Giarratana, in which the city would part ways with Church Street Park in downtown Nashville.

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236, jgarrison@tennesean.com and on Twitter @joeygarrison.