Residents in Metropolitan Nashville’s 18th District will celebrate on Nov. 18th longtime successful efforts to preserve and revitalize the area’s urban neighborhoods.
The event, scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. at Eakin Elementary School, will recognize the accomplishments of citizen activists and the council leadership in the 18th District since the late 1960s. In addition, the program will feature a Taste of the 18th District, with samples from some of the district’s independently owned restaurants, and activities and entertainment for children, including the Metro Parks Kids Jam Band, face painters and jugglers.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, former council members Betty Nixon, Stewart Clifton and Ginger Hausser Pepper, and newly elected Councilman Keith Durbin are scheduled to speak during the brief program. Residents are encouraged to bring photographs of their favorite places and memories for an interactive, giant timeline of district happenings and history (photographs will be scanned and returned).
The “Celebrate the 18th on the 18th” event is designed to thank Pepper for her eight years of service to the district and to welcome Durbin. “Under Councilmember Pepper’s leadership the long-standing tradition of productive and inclusive engagement in the 18th District was continued and resulted in numerous improvements,” Durbin said. “I am personally very thankful to her for her work and setting the bar so high for the future of the district.”
Nixon, who represented the district from 1975 to 1987, said, “At a time when Nashville still struggles with issues of diversity and density, the activists and leaders of the 18th District continue to build a vibrant community that welcomes all and finds creative approaches to change.”
She noted that Nashville’s first neighborhood organizations were founded in the 18th District. Organized Neighbors of Edgehill, originally part of the 18th District, was started in 1968 and served as a role model for the others. The Belmont-Hillsboro Neighborhood Association was established in 1971 followed by the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association in 1975.
The 18th District’s community assets include: historic neighborhoods, strong public schools, commercial and retail services within walking distance of residences, public parks, a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and easy access to mass transit.
Celebration sponsors are the Belmont-Hillsboro and Hillsboro-West End neighborhood associations, Hillsboro Village Merchants along with Vanderbilt and Belmont universities. For more information, call the Vanderbilt Community, Neighborhood and Government Relations office at 322-7311.
Media Contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu