Inside the Metro Courthouse parking garage, photographed in 2023
Metropolis Parking has expanded its free parking program for local musicians to 25 lots and facilities across Nashville.
The Park & Play initiative allows local musicians access to free parking while playing downtown and in venues in Nashville. The program is a partnership between Metropolis, the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife, Nashville Musicians Association AFM Local 257 and Music Venue Alliance Nashville. According to a release, the program has saved musicians more than $250,000 since it launched in August. Alexis Curtis, senior director of government and community relations for Metropolis, is proud of the success of Park and Play and sees this expansion as a way to further its impact.
“Supporting hardworking local musicians is something near and dear to our hearts, and we are extremely thankful for our partners for helping grow this program with us,” Curtis says in the release. “Iconic venues saw the early success of the program and wanted to get involved in a meaningful way. Park & Play shows what’s possible when the public and private sectors come together to help Nashvillians.”
This isn’t Metropolis’ only music-related initiative. In February, the company offered 50 percent off parking for all attendees of 615 Indie Live. Chris Cobb, president of Music Venue Alliance Nashville, says that the Metropolis program and partnership supports MVAN’s mission of advocating for independent venues in Nashville and calls it a gamechanger for their members.
Brendan Malone, a member of local outfit Cowpokes who’s also quoted in the release, says he appreciates the partnership as well. “This was something our city desperately needed,” Malone says, “and they stood up and took action to support musicians of Nashville.”
