Mayor Freddie O’Connell on Wednesday filed his second Capital Spending Plan since being elected last year, proposing $527 million in capital projects for Metro Council approval.
Highlights include:
- $103.6 million for bridges, roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure, including $42.7 million for ongoing maintenance, $6.8 million for Vision Zero and other safety projects, $6 million for sidewalks and $33.5 million for East Bank infrastructure work (and additional $6.5 million is earmarked for continued East Bank design work)
- $88 million for continued work on the new juvenile justice center
- $98.4 million for Metro Nashville Public Schools, including $10 million for the first phase of renovations at Glencliff High School and continued spending on solar projects and turf field installation
- $27.8 million for Metro Parks facilities, maintenance and other projects
Freda Player, chair of the Metro Nashville School Board, said she was excited to see funding for the Glencliff work and more than $40 million for general maintenance district-wide.
“If we can keep on top of the repairs, then that’s less need for major renovations and less need for new schools,” she said. “The students can feel whether we invest money in that, and they take it as them being seen and being cared for. The fact that we designate money and fix things helps morale with teachers, too. They’re not coming into a building that’s broken down.”
Spending on sidewalks and safety projects is down from the most recent two Capital Spending Plans, while spending on the East Bank is up.
Metro Councilmember Sean Parker, who chairs the council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said the recent passage of the mayor’s transportation referendum, which established dedicated funding for transportation projects, helps explain that shift in the CSP.
“This allows us to invest more in parks and libraries and public safety, and I think that’s a great thing,” Parker said. “The voters of Nashville establishing that dedicated source of funding is going to continue to be really critical for Nashville.”
Though the overall CSP is up slightly from last year’s — $527 million this year compared to $514 million last year — proposed spending is down in several areas, including schools, libraries, parks and sidewalks. Spending for the Department of General Services, including general maintenance, safety upgrades at Metro buildings and vehicle replacement is up year-over-year in the proposed plan. The increased East Bank allocation follows the April approval of an East Bank development agreement with The Fallon Company, and infrastructure costs are being split by Fallon, Metro, the Tennessee Titans, Oracle and others.
“While each Capital Spending Plan reflects evolving needs, Mayor O’Connell’s priorities remain the same,” O’Connell spokesperson Alex Apple said. “Many elements represent large capital investments that take multiple years to complete. Comparing them by category, year-over-year, overlooks that major investments in other elements of the project have already been authorized.”
O’Connell’s proposal also includes $5 million for improvements at Nashville’s convenience centers, $5 million for construction of a new Hadley Park library branch and $14 million for the design and construction of a vehicle impound lot for the police department.
“I am thrilled to see Hadley Park receive this funding and to be able to move forward,” said Councilmember Brenda Gadd, who chairs the council committee overseeing parks and libraries. “I’m really looking forward to hearing about some of our other libraries, and specific to me is hearing about Richland Park and what the next stages are for that.”