PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Downtown Nashville Neighborhood Traffic Project (Connect Downtown) is a joint effort between WeGo Public Transit, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT), and the Nashville Downtown Partnership to improve mobility in the Nashville downtown core. The project goals, established by the Stakeholder Task Force and Technical Advisory Committee, are to develop recommendations that will transform and support Downtown Nashville to be:
- Safe and Comfortable
- Connected and Convenient
- Equitable and Accessible
- Sustainable and Resilient
- Vibrant and Inviting
- Balanced and Reliable
Fairpointe Planning, working closely with project partners, has lead the engagement efforts for this project. A particular challenge for this ambitious study was to identify, reach, and gather input from a broad variety of stakeholders. These included business owners; downtown employers and employees; transportation providers, such as tourist trolleys and micromobility providers; government officials; delivery vehicle organizations; the Tennessee Titans, MNPD, disadvantaged populations; transit riders; tourism officials, and many other non- and for-profit organizations.
To ensure a broad and diverse range of feedback, Fairpointe developed and implemented a Public Engagement Plan and Strategy that touched all aspects of those who work, live, and play in downtown Nashville. This included multiple communication materials and outlets such as social media, on-line surveys and maps, information tables at large and small community events like Earth Day, one-on-one interviews, as well as videos and other information and interactive exercises at public meetings and workshops. Fairpointe ensures that all comments and feedback are summarized and represented in the best way to inform the project about the desires of the entire community.
