As we move into summer, there is so much to celebrate and reflect on in our community. I hope you'll take time to enjoy the season by supporting local efforts, like the Richland Park Farmers Market and The Nashville Scene's Movies in the Park at Elmington Park. These events are a great way to connect with neighbors and enjoy District 24.

 

This week, we also honor Juneteenth—a time to celebrate Black freedom, culture, and achievement. One way to show support is through Nashville's Juneteenth Restaurant Week, spotlighting the incredible variety of Black-owned restaurants across the city. June is also Pride Month, and numerous joyful events are taking place across Nashville, celebrating love, inclusion, and equality.

 

At tonight's Metro Council Meeting, we will be considering the Metro Nashville Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. We have the mayor's budget in front of us, along with two substitutes and amendments to each of them. For the past several months and weeks, I have joined fellow council members to meet with and hear from departments on their budgets, as well as from the community at public hearings. To everyone who has reached out to me directly or attended hearings, thank you for speaking up for what is important to you. You can watch tonight's Metro Council meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the Metro Nashville Network: Watch Live.

 

Lastly, for those in the Richland West End Neighborhood (RWENA), please join me and NDOT for a virtual meeting on June 23 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the Bowling Avenue traffic calming proposal. This stretch of road has been identified for improvements to reduce speeding and increase safety for pedestrians, students, and congregants. During the meeting, NDOR will review possible design options and outline the process for community input and homeowner voting. Details and the meeting link are available here: engage.nashville.gov.

 

Let's continue working together to build a city that is connected, safe, inclusive, and vibrant—for everyone.

 

The Bowling Avenue corridor improvements—from West End to Forrest Avenue—are completed across all three projects: the Bowling/Whitland intersection safety project, the Metro Water Services (MWS) work from West End to 301 Bowling, and the sidewalk installation from 301 Bowling to Forrest Avenue. The final paving and striping for the entire stretch, including the Whitland intersection, is underway. Crosswalk striping will be reinstalled at four key locations: West End, Whitland, Richmeade Place, and Brighton Way. 

 

Metro Water Services is installing a 24" water main on Estes Road from Woodmont Blvd. to Woodmont Circle, with daytime lane closures scheduled through June 27. Traffic will be closely monitored, and adjustments made as needed to reduce impacts. For details, visit www.nashville.gov/departments/water/projects.

 

The mural design is being painted on the Murphy Road underpass was completed this week! Thank you to all the incredible community leaders and our Sylvan Park Neighborhood Association president for leading the way!

Mayor O’Connell and Metro Planning’s Housing Division have released the Unified Housing Strategy (UHS)—a landmark plan to guide Nashville’s housing efforts with a clear, coordinated, and community-driven vision.

 

Shaped by resident input and grounded in robust market data, the UHS lays out seven core strategies to address rising housing costs, expand and preserve affordable housing, and improve housing stability for both renters and homeowners. The plan also charts a Ten-Year Implementation Timeline. 

 

You can explore the plan at nashville.gov/UHS, or read the executive summary here.