Public meeting about street cars in the midtown area to be held April 14-15

NOTE: For information about other transit initiatives affecting the VU / midtown area (vanpools expansion, regional express bus service direct to VU, contact jack.jakobik@vanderbilt.edu

Broadway/West End Corridor Study meetings scheduled for April 14-15

Public invited to provide input on transportation alternatives

Two public meetings and two information stations are scheduled for April 14 and April 15 to gather public input on the best ways to improve transportation options along the Broadway/West End corridor.

The study area, which stretches from Five Points in east Nashville to White Bridge Road, covers eight miles and includes Broadway, West End Avenue and Harding Road.  This is the first round of public meetings regarding the special study announced by Mayor Karl Dean earlier this year.

“The next five to 10 years will be critical in the long-term development of public transportation in Nashville and the Middle Tennessee region,” Mayor Karl Dean said.  “Public transportation goes hand-in-hand with economic development, tourism and job growth and is a critical part of any city’s success. This study is the first step in planning for the transportation infrastructure needed along this busy corridor, which is one of many important economic engines within our community.”

Listed below are the locations and times for the upcoming community meetings and information stations as well as Nashville MTA bus routes that serve the locations:

Public Meetings

  • Thursday, April 14, 4 to 6:30 p.m. (Shuttles provided from Vanderbilt)
    Blakemore United Methodist Church, 3601 West End Avenue
  • Friday, April 15, 7 to 9 a.m.
    Nashville Downtown Partnership, 211 Commerce St., Suite 100

Information Stations

  • Thursday, April 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Vanderbilt University Sarratt Student Center
  • Friday, April 15, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    Music City Central, 400 Charlotte Ave., Community meeting room

Nashville MTA officials are encouraging people who live, work, play and travel along this busy corridor to attend the meetings to provide comments on the possibility of an urban street car, light rail or new bus rapid transit system along Broadway/West End. A brief presentation about the project will be given at selected times during the public meetings and attendees will be given the opportunity to provide their input and feedback during the meetings and at the information stations.

“This corridor is the home to a number of businesses, medical centers, and Metro’s Centennial Park. It is clear it is a significant link to Nashville and the region’s future transportation network,” Nashville MTA CEO Paul J. Ballard said. “As part of our ongoing commitment to make getting around Music City easier, faster, and better, we have initiated this important alternative analysis study.”

Additional public meetings to share plans and recommendations will be held at a later date.

The Broadway/West End Corridor Study is being led by Parsons Brinckerhoff, an internationally-known consulting firm. Light refreshments will be served at the meetings.

Please note that attendance at these meetings is not required for comment.  Individuals also may mail comments to MTA Planning Department, attn:  Public Meeting Comments, 130 Nestor St., Nashville, Tenn.  37210, fax comments to 862-6208, call Customer Care at 862-5950 or email them to mta.publicmeetings@nashville.gov.  For ADA accessibility information, contact:  ADA Coordinator, 130 Nestor Street, Nashville, TN   37210, (615) 862-5950.