Nashville’s promise for a greener transportation future

SwitchBoard: NRDC, February, 15 2012

The regional planning authority for the Nashville, Tennessee metropolitan area has embarked on a new philosophy to put the notoriously sprawling region on a less polluting and less consumptive path, anchored by walkable neighborhoods, public transportation, and maximizing the efficiency of current roadways. Meeting the laudable goal of shaping a more sustainable region will not be easy: in 2001, the Nashville metro area was cited as the nation’s most spread-out – the area with the fewest number of residents per square mile – in a review of 271 of our largest metro areas.

Mixed Housing moves forward in Franklin

The Tennessean, February, 20 2012

Developers at Bristol Development will host a design industry reception to showcase a preview of Bell Historic Franklin, the city’s newest rental community. The $27 million Bell Historic Franklin apartment project on Liberty Pike is a 218-unit complex that is the first apartment project in Franklin’s downtown area in 30 years. Construction is under way on the project.

Council seeks ways to fill empty retail space

Wilson Post, February 8, 2012

Following a controversial proposal that sought to bring more tax revenue to the City of Lebanon through a major project dubbed the Cumberland Center, council members expressed a desire to invest in pre-existing development that is either vacant or could be put to a better use. “We had this project come up with the event center [Cumberland Center] and talking about holding taxes to build up for this center. When you drive around, we’ve got vacant [buildings] throughout the city,” Huddleston said. “When you look at this side, it is a ghost town.” Huddleston said that they should look at “filling up what we’ve got” before advancing the city. Councilmember Warmath also expressed concern about the lack of investment in existing retail centers. Warmath and Huddleston want to look into improving the occupancy of existing retail space before looking to build more retail.

Smart Growth America Spotlights Columbia’s James Campbell Blvd. Plan

Smart Growth America, February 9, 2012

The heart of Columbia, Tennessee lies along a highway and commercial corridor; the James Campbell Boulevard. It was built at the city’s peak when demand was high for retail space and office buildings, but in the past several decades the needs of the City have changed. With the third slowest growth rate in the state of Tennessee, Columbia is in decline. It has the highest unemployment rate of any city of its size in the state and 20 percent of the population living below the poverty line. Not only has Columbia failed to attract new residents, with more and more families choosing to settle in neighboring Middle Tennessee cities, but the city is losing the young millennial generation, that many recognize as key to attracting local investments and maintaining a vibrant economy.

Gallatin gets $300k streetscape grant

The Tennessean, January 31, 2012

Three Sumner County projects, including phase three of the Gallatin downtown streetscape, were awarded $1.2 million in funding through the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Organization. The funds are part of MPO’s region-wide effort to support multiple forms of transportation. Overall eight projects were selected through-out the region. The Sumner County grants will help to fund completion of the Gallatin downtown streetscape master plan as well as the implementation of two greenway project phases.

Sumner County and the City of Gallatin have won millions in grants over the last few years following the completion of their comprehensive plans in 2004 and 2010. “Is it unusual to get as much as we have; I think we’ve been extremely successful,” said Gallatin Community Development Coordinator Jim Svoboda. “I think absolutely we seized on the opportunities that were available and came up at the time.”

Rezoning Proposals Considered in Nolensville

Williamson A.M. Jan. 17, 2012

NOLENSVILLE — Even though a proposal to rezone a flood plain to allow for commercial buildings died last month, memories of the failed project have begun to haunt another Nolensville rezoning request.

West Nashville Neighborhoods Expect Continued Growth

The Tennessean Jan. 10, 2012

The Tennessean takes a look at growth and development for West Nashville neighborhoods in 2012, and the parking and transportation issues that follow. Many neighborhoods in West Nashville are seeing growth despite a down economy due to more college students and young professionals moving back towards the city. However, the growth has also caused parking and traffic issues that will need to be addressed down the road.

Here are things to look out for in some the more popular neighborhoods in West Nashville.

New “Citizen’s Guide” Published by Idaho Smart Growth

The new “Citizen’s Guide” from Idaho Smart Growth helps community residents get involved in the process of land use and transportation planning. Although some information is unique to Idaho, many of the guidelines in this resource can be useful for citizen advocacy on smart growth in other locations in the United States.

TACIR Reports Integrate Transportation with Land Use Planning

In the final report of a four part series, the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Inter-Governmental Relations (TACIR) explores the vital relationship between transportation and land use planning. CRT is a strong advocate for integrating transportation and land use planning efforts. As the report states,

“By coordinating decisions in these areas, Tennessee governments can better control costs, target investments, encourage development where it most makes sense, and give residents better access to their destinations.”

Nashville Ballpark Location Study An Encouraging Sign of Downtown Investment

Regardless of where a new minor league baseball stadium might be built in Nashville, there’s one sure winner— investment in downtown Nashville.

A Metro-commissioned report, undertaken by Kansas City-based Populous Inc., recently recommended three locations for a potential new minor league baseball stadium. The sites identified are: the east bank of the Cumberland, near LP Field and PSC Metals Inc., a sprawling metals scrap plant; an area northeast of the Tennessee State Capitol building that served as home to Sulphur Dell, Nashville’s long-demolished original baseball stadium; and the north Gulch area near 11th and Charlotte avenues. View the official Nashville Ballpark Site Evaluation Study, PDF.