MAYOR, STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS UNVEIL DESIGNS FOR NORTH NASHVILLE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
‘Gateway to Heritage’ master plan and schematic designs created by former Tennessee Titan Eddie George’s landscape architecture firm
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 29, 2009) -
City and state leaders today unveiled the master plan and schematic designs for an extensive streetscape improvement project known as Gateway to Heritage that extends along the Interstate 40 corridor from 28th Avenue to Jefferson Street in North Nashville.
Mayor Karl Dean was joined at the event by TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, Sen. Thelma Harper, Metro Councilman at Large Jerry Maynard, District 21 Councilwoman Edith Langster, Director of Metro Public Works Billy Lynch, Sharon Hurt, executive director of the Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership (JUMP), and other community leaders.
“The Gateway to Heritage streetscape improvement project is the definition of community collaboration,” Dean said. “This collaboration is notable and exciting because that’s how communities are changed. Government can’t do it alone. And represented in this partnership are all the entities that make our city strong – our Metro and State governments, businesses, nonprofits and our educational institutions. This project is a direct investment in North Nashville – an investment that we hope will spur new economic development for this community and for our city as a whole.”
Former Tennessee Titan Eddie George, whose landscape architecture firm EDGE was selected as the design consultant on the project, led the unveiling.
The master plan for Gateway to Heritage details new landscaping, directional signage and the development of a gathering place under the Jefferson Street I-40 underpass called Heritage Park.
“EDGE is excited to be a part of the ‘Gateway to Heritage’ and creating an environment that the community can be proud of,” George said. “We are committed to designing a successful place that will promote healthy lifestyles and is truly sustainable – economically, socially, and environmentally. We are confident that the proposed improvements will serve as a new gateway to historic Jefferson Street and will act as a social and economic catalyst for the area.”
Phase I of the project will be funded by a $608,000 federal grant administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation with a required $152,000 match from Metro. Metro Public Works applied for the grant in partnership with JUMP.
Additional phases of the project will also be supported by federal grants, including funds awarded to Tennessee State University by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Recovery Act funds awarded to the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency.
For media inquiries contact:
Janel Lacy
(615) 862-6020
janel.lacy@nashville.gov