After months of soliciting feedback, local architects tasked with reshaping Nashville’s Second Avenue after the Christmas Day bombing are moving into a new phase of developing design proposals.
The Metro Nashville Planning Department and the Civic Design Center are hoping to create more foot traffic in Riverfront Park, and on Second and First avenues. One goal is to help businesses attract more customers.
Designers are pitching bigger sidewalks and the possibility of turning on-street parking spots into public seating platforms. They’re also discussing one bold idea of turning a stretch of Second Avenue into a pedestrian-only streetscape. That aspiration, however, is likely to be challenged. Residents will need to get buy-in from property owners.
There’s also a desire to build road medians on First Avenue in order to slow traffic and beautify the area. Design leaders are also thinking about adding a visitor center to the Riverfront train station, in addition to adding water features to Riverfront Park.
The city is expected to hold additional meetings this fall for those interested in the design process.
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