Registration is now closed. Late registration will open at 7:30 a.m. at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Broadway/West End corridor is one of the most important and influential corridors in the city of Nashville and in Middle Tennessee. For the people who live, work and play along the corridor, the diversity, activity and uniqueness of the Broadway/West End area make it the logical choice for examining the next evolution of public transit in Nashville.
Nashville's Metropolitan Transit Authority is currently undertaking a study to find ways to make it easier for people to move around the corridor, to enhance the quality of life on the corridor, and to create a more direct connection to downtown Nashville. The study corridor begins at Five Points in East Nashville and extends down Broadway, West End and Harding Road to White Bridge Road, connecting Nashville’s most vital interests including business, government, health care, hospitality, education and tourism. Multiple large employers are along the corridor, starting with those in the downtown business district and continuing to include the future Medical Mart, Caterpillar Financial Services, HCA, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Medical Center, and St. Thomas Hospital.
Both downtown and Broadway/West End are important employment, cultural, educational and residential areas in their own right, but their close proximity provides the potential for synergy through an enhanced transportation connection. This will also provide an opportunity to connect residents and visitors to the downtown business district and tourist venues, as well as restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other destinations. The study will look beyond the transportation connection, and consider how improvements to the transit system can be a catalyst to spur economic development and, in keeping with the “complete streets” philosophy, establish a healthy, vibrant, livable community.
During the study, transit needs along the corridor will be examined and all feasible options, such as modern streetcar, light rail and bus rapid transit, will be evaluated. The study will identify a preferred transportation choice, and position Nashville favorably to compete for federal funds to help design and build a new transit system.
The study was initiated in late January 2011 and as part of the process, MTA established two committees to assist with the project. A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprised of representatives from MTA, the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Metro Planning, Metro Public Works, the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee, and the Tennessee Department of Transportation, will review the technical details and evaluate the transit options, and a Corridor Steering Committee (CSC), comprised of representatives of local businesses and organizations along the corridor, transit advocates and the Mayor's Office will provide input and serve as a "sounding board" throughout the study process.
The Chamber’s goal is to educate businesses about the study and solicit business input, as workers should be primary users of the corridor transportation. For initial input, please take the one-question community poll on the Broadway/West End Corridor website that asks why you travel to West End.
Speakers:
- Jim McAteer, AICP, director of planning and grants, Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority
- Richard Warren, Jr., attorney, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP and the Chamber's representative on the CSC
Schedule:
7:30-8 a.m. - Registration & networking
8-9 a.m. - Program
Cost:
The event is free, but registration is required. Click "Register Now" in the blue letters on the right side of this page.
Questions?
Contact Carrie Brumfield at 615-743-3083 or cbrumfield@nashvillechamber.com.