Construction is booming in Nashville. If there is any doubt, simply look at the Nashville Business Journal’s “Crane Watch.” Construction of smart buildings are also easier now thanks to the advancements in technology. One of them is Digital twins for cities that helps builders design and conceptualize large-scale projects. Despite vast amount of new construction, contractors continue to struggle to find … Read More
Local Hire? So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night . . .
On March 10, less than two months after Mayor Megan Berry imposed requirements implementing Charter Amendment 3, a/k/a Nashville’s local hire law, Governor Haslam signed a bill voiding the amendment. Accordingly, Metro Nashville believes the measure is dead, interpreting the bill to prohibit Metro from implementing Charter Amendment 3 and the rules and regulations imposed by Mayor Barry earlier this year. … Read More
It’s Baaack: Local Hire Amendment Requirements Imposed
On October 7, 2015, I wrote about the potential death knell for Nashville’s local hiring law. At the time, Herbert Slatery, Tennessee Attorney General, issued a formal opinion in which he found the charter amendment violated Tennessee contractor licensing laws. Additionally, Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) filed a bill seeking to invalidate the measure. Based on these developments, I anticipated the local hiring law … Read More
Death Knell for Local Hiring Law?
Last week, Mayor Barry delayed implementation of Nashville new local hiring law citing concerns from labor and industry groups. Following on the heels of the Mayor’s announcement, Herbert Slatery, Tennessee Attorney General, issued a formal opinion and found the local-hire amendment violated Tennessee’s contractors licensing laws. The AG determined the Tennessee Contractors Licensing Act of 1994 prohibited counties and municipalities from … Read More
Nashville Local Hire Law Delayed
Yesterday, new Nashville mayor Megan Barry delayed the implementation of the new local hire law. The mayor’s decision comes as a bit of a surprise following her public support of the measure during the election, despite strong opposition from former Mayor Karl Dean, contractors and trade organizations and the Chamber of Commerce. Although the new rule was set to be written … Read More
Bill Filed to Invalidate Nashville Charter Amendment
#VoteNoon3. In July and August, Twitter was abuzz as Nashville’s construction community actively campaigned against Charter Amendment 3. The proposed amendment sought to require contractors to assign at least 40% of work hours on Metro construction projects of at least $100,000 to employees who reside within Davidson County. Contractors against the amendment noted the shortage of skilled workers that exists … Read More
A Record Breaking Year for Construction in Nashville
Record Breaking Year for Construction in Nashville Great news for the construction industry in Nashville, Tennessee as construction activity continues to boom. Metro Nashville issued just over $2.4 billion in building permits during its recently ended 2014-2015 fiscal year.