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Tennessee governor proposes renaming Nashville airport after Dolly Parton
Gov. Bill Lee wants to honor the late country music icon, though local airport authority rules may require a policy waiver.
The short version
- Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed renaming Nashville International Airport after country music legend Dolly Parton following her death at age 80.
- More than 150,000 supporters have signed an online petition backing the name change.
- The Metro Nashville Airport Authority must evaluate its rule requiring a person to be deceased for at least two years before an airport property can be named after them.
- The airport authority is scheduled to review the proposal and naming policy at its Sept. 17 meeting.
Key facts
- Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced a proposal to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton following her death from cancer at age 80.[Associated Press]
- An online petition advocating for the airport to be renamed after Parton gathered over 150,000 signatures.[Associated Press]
- Lee stated that he has discussed the renaming concept with representatives for Parton.[Associated Press]
- Existing Metro Nashville Airport Authority policy specifies that facilities should only be named after individuals who have been deceased for at least two years.[Associated Press]
- The airport authority is slated to address the proposal and its current naming policy during a Sept. 17 meeting.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It remains uncertain whether the Metro Nashville Airport Authority will grant an exception or modify its two-year waiting rule to approve the name change.[Associated Press]