Nashville Board Approves Renaming Airport For Dolly Parton

Nashville International Airport is a step closer to being renamed to honor the late country superstar Dolly Parton.

The six-person board of the Metro Nashville Airport Authority voted unanimously on Friday to approve the proposed renaming. Details, such as the exact wording of the new name, are still to be hashed out in the coming months.

“Today, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority voted unanimously, 6-0, to begin the process of modifying the airport’s name in honor of Dolly Parton,” the board said in a statement. “While a final name has not yet been determined, we are working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated.”

The vote, the statement explains, is the first step “in a multifaceted process.”

“In the coming months,” the statement continues, “we anticipate having more definitive plans to share regarding the next steps and implementation. We are grateful for the tremendous support and enthusiasm from our community and Dolly’s fans around the world. We look forward to sharing additional details as plans are finalized.”

Parton died August 25 following a cancer diagnosis that became public only after her death. Her passing prompted a massive outpouring of grief and tributes from across the world.

Following Parton’s death, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced plans to rename the airport in her honor, noting, “At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”

The renaming, though, was first proposed last year, with a petition for the move signed by more than 175,000 people. Among the signees was singer Sheryl Crow.

Changing the name could take some time, and considerable amounts of money. The New York Times estimates that the cost of the renaming would be in the millions of dollars.