The Gateway Boulevard: Gateway to what and when?

By Lee P. Domann

East Nashville Forgotten in Gateway Corridor Plans

All Plans from the new Shelby Bridge simply Cease Eastward of the Bridge

The Timeline for Construction of Shelby Bridge seems Uncertain

The first involves the purpose of the bridge. Aside from its obvious role as a conduit for vehicular traffic, it also is designed to be a showcase from the west bank of the river to the "gulch" near Union Station. Elaborate features include continuous parallel parking along both sides of the street, pedestrian bulbs at each intersection, maximum median areas for trees, etc. It is certain to be a beautiful addition to downtown and contribute to the downtown area's overall health and vitality. It will be, indeed, a gateway. A gateway to the west side of the river.

And what's being done in this project to make a gateway to East Nashville? What kind of plans are there to make the new bridge inviting and visitor-friendly to our community? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I've learned this by attending the final public hearing regarding the project which was held a few weeks ago at the downtown public library. Officials from Metro Public Works, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Metro Parks and Recreation, and various architectural firms were there with plenty of wall maps. None of the "goodies" relate to our community whatsoever. The east side of the bridge simply empties onto Shelby Avenue. Period.

When asked about the possibility of coordinating the project with the Shelby Walk, a Parks and Recreation representative explained that the Shelby Walk project had been built almost as an afterthought a few years ago, with no clear intention of completion. Okay...does that mean that Shelby Avenue is not really seen as an important element in the renewal of East Nashville? Or, that it really never has been?

A second issue involves the timeline for the opening of the bridge. In a meeting with Public Works' chief bridge engineer, Ted Kniacewycz, recently, I was told the projected date of completion remains the fall of 2002. Much of it depends, he said, upon how soon TDOT's Right of Way office can work through it's business with current property owners who may need to be relocated.

I was asked by one of our resident's recently, "If you were the Metro Council representative, what would you do about this?" Answer: I would fill the Council chambers with resolutions and citizens pushing for alternatives. In the meantime, I'll continue to do exactly what I'm doing now -- obtaining as much information as I can from the key players, exploring with them possible alternatives, and encouraging our citizens to join me in keeping the heat on all public officials involved.

I just don't buy the notion that it's all cut and dried -- that there's no room for flexibility. For instance, I hope many of us can keep pressure on TDOT to hasten the relocation phase, which is projected to take a year or more. Make a phone call to Chris Christianson at TDOT's Right of Way office, who TDOT tells me is the contact person for this. His phone number is 741-7929. Express your opinion with vigor, and do it frequently. Let me know the reaction your receive, and I'll do the same.

Just call me "Bulldog."

This position paper printed from Lee's web site. Paid for by friends to elect Lee Domann for Metro Council, Nathan Napier, Treasurer