New Year's resolutions may be a tough sell in the final days of January, but Nashville’s Civic Design Center recently unveiled 24 of them that they believe could make our city a better place to live.
As a part of a fundraising campaign, the local nonprofit allowed donors to submit community resolutions — one resolution for every $10 donated — naming things they would like to see Nashville accomplish or initiate this year. The group, which advocates for civic design that could improve the quality of life in Nashville, compiled the top 24 submissions and unveiled them at a mixer event on Jan. 24.
The submissions cover a broad range of ideas, from things as small as making crosswalks look pretty to as big as successfully passing a transit referendum, which could end up on the ballot in November.
Below are the CDC’s 24 resolutions Nashvillians believe could make life in the city easier.
Ensure that all our outdoor spraygrounds and fountains are operational by summer 2024, for kids to play in when it’s hot.
Make a comprehensive BCycle network — especially returning BCycle stations to parks.
Tactical urbanism “face lifts” for buildings in the central business district that are vacant.
Paint a bus-only lane in the downtown core.
Activate public parks through concessions kiosks and cafes.
Increase frequency of the airport bus to every 18 minutes, reducing airport district traffic and prioritizing transit over rideshare.
Create artistic public space under Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.
Create artistic crosswalks along Banker’s Alley at Third and Fourth Avenues to make pedestrian crossings safer.
Implement supportive infrastructure for cyclists, like bike racks in commercial districts.
Pass a new sidewalk ordinance that can withstand legal challenges and help build the sidewalk network we all deserve.
Audit existing downtown wayfinding and update accordingly.
Break ground on a major Vision Zero Complete Streets project.
Increase pet-oriented amenities like boxes dispensing free waste bags downtown.
Don’t let trash block the sidewalk. Pass a policy that requires our trash collection agency to replace receptacles off the sidewalk.
Create WeGo free-ride days to promote transit education.
Implement a “road diet” for Eighth Avenue, which has already been studied, allowing more people to walk and bike safely.
Pass dedicated funding for transit in November 2024.
Add crosstown bus route through Antioch (i.e., airport connection).
Turn ugly overpasses into “Gates of the City.”
Fully fund construction for the future park at Madison Station Boulevard.
Integrate upsized playgrounds in parks, addressing the lack of activity for teenagers.
Implement a quick-build intervention that makes the Clarksville Pike bridge between Bordeaux and North Nashville safer for walking and biking.
Identify innovative, pet-friendly transitional housing for people currently experiencing homelessness (i.e., hotels, dormitories, tiny houses, unused schools, etc.).
