photo by LeXander Bryant
Bikeways Project and Public Spaces, North Nashville (2018…)
Nashville's WalknBike Master Plan identified our neighborhood for an investment in bike lanes. While bike lanes were not a top priority for neighbors, I recognized we could leverage this project to bring attention and resources to an area that has endured decades of disinvestment. Through a partnership with Metro Planning, Public Works and funded by Metro Arts, I helped gather community feedback on improving walking and biking in North Nashville.
Over four months, we engaged almost 300 people through community meetings, events, surveys and direct interaction. We reached people across differing ethnic, economic and education backgrounds and a wide range of abilities and ages. The top two priorities identified were: slow traffic and make street crossings safer for pedestrians.
Through observation and listening, I helped identify an additional barrier to walking and biking: violence. Historically, violence could erupt at any moment and many people do not feel safe enough to walk or bike alone.
For example, the Arthur Avenue underpass is dark even during daylight. And in the winter of 2016, a body was found there. During one of our community events, neighbors provided feedback on possible design solutions. Lighting was met with the most enthusiasm.
The initial $500,000 dollar budget for bike lanes was expanded to almost $3 Million and included:
- Crosswalks
- Street paving
- Pedestrian signals
- Pedestrian islands
- Improved sidewalks
- Protected bike lanes
- and the promise of public art
We are also working to bring an artistic lighting sculpture to the Arthur Avenue underpass.
