A forum about the future of our region.

2020 EVENTS

October 22, 9:00-10:30a

Technology and Transportation

How is technology being used to better plan, design, and operate transportation systems in the region? What are the trends in transportation technology? What are the innovative applications being used in other communities? Join in on the discussion with several of Tennessee’s top transportation experts ​​

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• Preston Elliott, Tennessee Department of Transportation

• Jorge Riveros, Metro Nashville Public Works

• Erin Hafkenschiel, Vanderbilt University

• Adam Moser, City of Franklin, TN

• Robert Murphy, KCI Technologies

presented by

September 29, 12:00-1:30p

Main Street Businesses: How Can Good Planning Principles Help Them Survive the Pandemic?

COVID 19 has changed everything about the way retail, restaurants and entertainment venues operate. For many, these changes could be a death blow, but we are seeing amazing resilience and adaptability that are allowing them to survive and even thrive. How can state and local planning and codes help local businesses and entrepreneurs reopen and serve their customers safely?  How can these lessons help us design more pedestrian friendly Main Streets and walkable communities for the future? 

Panel:

• Margot Fosnes, Robertson County Economic Development

• Nancy Williams, TN Main Streets Director

• Dr. Lorneth Peters, TSBDC Director, APSU Center

• Anthony Davis, Owner, East Nashville Beerworks, former Metro Councilman

presented by

September 23, 10:00-11:30a

Development, Design, and Density

There is increasing demand for places that provide a mix of housing and entertainment options in a walkable, more urban environment. A panel of developers and planners will discuss the biggest challenges in creating these places in our region. They'll explore needed policy updates and the challenges of incorporating these places into the existing built environment.

Panel:

• Scott Black, Bristol Development

• Phil Fawcett, Boyle Development

• Brian Sewell, Southern Land Company

• Jeff Tyndall, City of Clarksville

• Dirk Melton, MarketStreet Enterprises

presented by

September 15, 3:00-4:30p

What's in the Toolbox? Sustaining and Expanding the Region's Open Space and Parks

Protecting and expanding your community’s open space and parks to keep up with increasing demands of surging regional population growth has become very hard to manage financially. There are urgent benefits and economic value for protecting the open space and parks that we need. Hear from a panel of experienced practitioners, planners, developers and non-profits about some important, non-traditional tools that are proving successful to sustaining and expanding open space and park land in our communities’ today.  

Panel:

• Gary Hawkins, Hawkins Partners

• Jenny Park, Tennessee State Director, Trust for Public Land

• Tim Netsch, Metro Parks

• Jeff Haynes, Boyle Development

• Tom Turner, Nashville Downtown Partnership