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Article by Paula Gomes, Tennessee Conservative News –
After a groundswell of renewed public support in renaming Nashville International Airport (BNA) to honor Dolly Parton, the proposed change is closer than ever to becoming reality.
Established in 1937, the airport’s code “BNA” refers to the airport’s original name, Berry Field Nashville Airport.
Last year, a Nashville-based comedian and Dolly fan introduced a petition calling for BNA to be renamed “Dolly Parton International Airport” which garnered around 50,000 signatures. Following Parton’s passing last week, the petition rapidly gained the attention of more supporters and currently has close to 170,000 signatures.
Legislation aimed at renaming BNA after President Donald Trump failed to receive a positive recommendation from the Tennessee House Naming and Designating Committee last year and ultimately died in committee.
The bill’s conservative sponsor, Representative Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92), is very much in favor of now supporting legislation that would rename the airport for Parton instead, promising to file a bill as soon as possible. Warner believes that such legislation would undoubtedly receive support from both sides of the aisle in the Tennessee General Assembly.
At a more local level, Russ Bradford, Nashville Metro Councilmember, also supports renaming the airport. To that end, he is preparing a resolution that supports the name change and has also contacted the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) about the proposal.
During the push to rename the airport for Trump, BNA defended its existing identity as a “globally recognized brand” and initial inquiries about renaming BNA to honor Parton had members of the airport board pointing to a 2010 policy which does not allow BNA to be renamed for someone who has so recently died.
Current bylaws state that to rename the airport for someone who has died they must have passed away at least two years prior and also have had a big impact on aviation within the state.
However, on Friday, Governor Bill Lee and BNA announced that the airport will be renamed to honor Parton “creating a lasting tribute to her indelible legacy and the generations of people she inspired across Tennessee and around the world.”
The proposal will be discussed at the MNAA’s meeting on Thursday, September 17th which will involve addressing the current naming policy. Upon approval, Parton will be the first woman whose name adorns one of the country’s fifty busiest airports.
While support for the idea is broad, making it happen comes with a hefty price tag, estimated to be between eight to ten million dollars. A complete rebranding of the airport will be required involving signage, updating merchandise, along with many administrative and legal costs.
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About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
