We are finally thawing out after a week of deep freeze and one of our biggest snowfalls in recent years in the Nashville region. 

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Below are some of my favorite hot links and tips to remember for future snow/ice storms.

 

 

With over 5600 miles of roadway in Davidson County, our NDOT teams have so much to tackle each time that there is a snow event. Given what we experienced last week, we all know that our region needs more plows and more trucks – the good news is we are increasing our fleet of 28 and adding 37 new state-of-the-art plows! 

NDOT currently has crews out running behind plows checking for emergency potholes. As soon as we can get streets clear, we will have emergency pothole repair crews out.

The thaw freeze cycle, as well as the forecasted rain and temps for next week, is going to mean a lot of potholes. We will be out working around the clock to make repairs.

If you see a pothole during your commute, report it through hubNashville:

Call 311

Download the hubNashville App

Visit hub.Nashville.gov

Mayor Freddie O’Connell released his first slate of executive orders last Friday, reinforcing commitments to how Nashville moves, works and grows.  

 

Altogether Mayor O’Connell signed 44 executive orders addressing Metro operations and various quality-of-life issues for Nashville residents, from infrastructure to inclusion, technology to transportation, and committees to criminal justice.

 

Twenty-three (23) executive orders from previous Nashville mayors were sustained, and 21 were updated with modifications.

 

Highlights include an expansion of Metro’s Green and Complete Streets policy (Executive Order 45) and establishment of the Nashville Health and Well-being Leadership Council (Executive Order 32), which is a new collaboration between Metro Public Health Department and Metro Social Services that leverages the connection between health outcomes and social service needs to inform policy. 

Whether you've chosen a new year's resolution or not, work to decrease your waste this year. Help the environment and pick a zero waste resolution to follow:

 

Stop using single-use plastic bags. When you go shopping, bring your own reusable bag. Some stores even offer discounts to shoppers who bring their own bags.

 

Similarly, ditch single-use coffee cups and bring your own to-go cup to coffee shops. Some cafes offer discounts to customers who bring their own cups. 

 

Cut back on paper towels. Cut up some old t-shirts or towels and use them as rags in the kitchen in place of paper towels. When they're dirty, wash them and use them again!

 

Reduce your food waste. Start meal planning to reduce food waste at the source. Instead of throwing away food scraps, start backyard composting or bring your compostable materials to a Convenience Center.

 

If you're already doing all of these, tell a friend or neighbor! 

Encourage them to further their zero waste journey.

 

WeGo is proposing changes for Spring 2024 that include improvements and adjustments to bus routes, including a direct connection to the Dr. Ernest Rip Patton Jr. North Nashville Transit Center currently under construction. See the summary of the proposed changes.

 

WeGo is rebuilding the escalators in WeGo Central to better serve you! Coined the Escalator Modernization Project, the escalators at WeGo Central are closed until August 2024. During this time, there is signage throughout the facility to direct you to elevators and stairs for your convenience. Thank you for understanding.

 

“Fifteen years ago today, on January 22, 2009, the people of Nashville went to the polls to vote on whether to make English the only language of business in our city’s government and operations. Nashvillians went to the polls 15 years ago and rejected the mean spirited, anti-immigrant proposal. Let’s celebrate today what it’s possible when a diverse group of individuals and organizations comes together to find common ground and to fight a shared fight. It’s the only way to progress.” - Renata Soto 

In big cities, growth is either the problem or the solution, depending on who you ask. Some residents aspire to join the ranks of even-bigger cities, with all the emblems of success: taller buildings, lusher parks, smarter restaurants and flashier trains. Others want the opposite — to be unlike other cities and somehow manage to avoid unaffordability, crime, homelessness, congestion and runaway development. Sometimes the same people want both things.

This debate about bigness is especially loud in Nashville, one of the boom cities of the past decade. Residents are split over their ultimate ambitions for their city, but at this point most are united by a sense that the city’s growth is a little bit out of control. It’s been 11 years since The New York Times christened Nashville the “it” city of America. But the phrase is still on many people’s tongues, uttered with a weird mix of mortification, derision and genuine pride. Nashvillians are proud of the city’s growth and the fact that so many people who live somewhere else want to move there. But they’re also annoyed by newcomers and tourists, while somewhat terrified of their power to redefine the city’s identity.

Metro Nashville and Davidson County has been named a Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer in recognition of excellence in the areas of strategy, policy, community engagement, and programming. In 2022, Metro Nashville and Davidson County hired its first Digital Inclusion Officer, Pearl Amanfu, to set strategic goals and grow the program. Metro has achieved Visionary Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital inclusion for residents through:

 

 

I am part of the Animal Welfare and Pet Caucus and I look forward to addressing this with my partners on Metro Council this year. Headlines of neglected and abandoned animals have shocked and disturbed members of Metro Council and inspired them to do more to crack down on animal abuse in Nashville.

 

We are contemplating the possibility of a very small planting project -- nine (9) trees or less – along the southern edge of the parking lot at Elmington Park that abuts West End Ave.

The targeted parking lot has shade trees along its north side bordering West End Ave. But the south side of the parking lot is bare, exposing the lot to unabated sunlight which turns it into a mini heat island in summer months. The main objective would be to provide a small number of canopy trees along this narrow line to eventually shade the lot.

 

Neighbors have expressed appreciation for the current long view from West End Ave – allowing drivers to gaze down to West End Middle School and the ballfields. Our suggestion would therefore be to select a small number of narrow-trunked shade trees that have canopy spreads at higher levels. (Think of “umbrella” shaped trees – narrow trunks with wide foliage at the top -- as opposed to, say, a “Christmas tree” shape – wide foliage at the bottom which narrows at the top). This would allow for shade while preserving intact the vista between West End Ave and the school.

 

If you have any interest or feedback on this project, please email me! 

 

Mayor Freddie O'Connell has approved use of funds from the Nashville GRAD program to include Nashville Flex program participants, giving part-time students at Nashville State Community College important support to complete their degree. Since 2019, the Metro Council has supported the Nashville GRAD program that was launched from the mayor's office.

 

The Nashville GRAD program provides eligible students with financial and academic support while pursuing a full-time education at Nashville State. 

 

The Nashville Flex program provides students taking at least six hours with financial and academic support that is necessary as they pursue their education simultaneously with many other responsibilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The public is invited to hear a presentation regarding Phase I of the Stormwater Runoff Complaints Assessment. The project team will share the study’s key findings and recommendations and address audience questions and feedback that could inform further studies and recommendations in a potential Phase II.

 

Sonny West Auditorium 

Howard Office Building | 700 President Ronald Reagan Way | Nashville, TN 37210

 

The Trew Neighbor Award is given in memory of Frank Trew, a lifelong resident of the Lincoya Hills neighborhood and a tireless advocate for his neighborhood. Frank generously contributed his time, talent and gifts to improve the quality of life for his neighbors and all Nashville residents. The Trew Neighbor Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies similar characteristics.

 

This award honors local residents who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, for a period of no less than five (5) years, with a commitment to building, improving, and/or maintaining the quality of life in their neighborhood.