Today, Mayor Freddie O’Connell unveiled his 2024 Capital Spending Plan (CSP) that prioritizes investments in several key areas:
- Education: Schools represent the largest group of investments in the plan, which funds further work at Lakeview Elementary, Paragon Mills Elementary, Percy Priest Elementary, and invests $47 million in MNPS properties across the city. The plan also initiates solar installations at two schools which will lower costs and increase energy security.
- Neighborhoods: Investment in neighborhoods around the county far exceeds limited, early East Bank investment. The plan advances parks in areas that have chronically lacked great amenities and includes investments at Mill Ridge Park and the new Mariposa Park.
- Transit and transportation infrastructure: The CSP continues investment in neighborhood transit centers, traffic signal coordination, and a better bus fleet.
- Metro facilities and equipment: Investment in Metro’s assets like fire stations, and a new Nashville Youth Center for Empowerment (replacing the current juvenile justice facility) allows the city to stay safe and plan for its future. The plan also expands Metro’s heavy fleet, ensuring reliable trash collection and snow removal capacity.
- Customer service: Investment in systems that will enable Metro to respond quickly and accurately to the needs of Nashvillians. Plus, renovations to facilities such as libraries and public health.
- Sustainability: Green solutions underlie most projects, including a waste diversion pilot as the city rebuilds 2nd Avenue.
“This capital spending plan reflects my priorities that I laid out upon taking office. We are putting our money where our people are – in our neighborhoods – and taking more steps to ensure that Nashvillians know their government is responsive to their needs,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell said. “Our libraries, parks, schools, and roads are community assets that bring us together, enriching a shared pride we have in our home. I’m proud to take a big step toward our shared goals.”
Metro is in its best financial position in recent history. The city’s fund balances and bond ratings are strong, providing the foundation to address its many opportunities and challenges.
“The Mayor’s proposed $514 million CSP demonstrates a commitment to investing across the city while living within our means. This plan provides for the replacement of aging assets and technology, as well as investing in new infrastructure, without changing our stable financial position,” said Metro Finance Director Kevin Crumbo.
Across nearly every department, the CSP chips away at ongoing and deferred maintenance – a key step to ensuring the city is well-prepared to keep up with its growth.
Mayor O’Connell is proposing a $10 million investment in sidewalks, a $4 million investment in neighborhood transit centers like the soon-to-open Dr. Ernest Rip Patton Jr. North Nashville Transit Center, and $2.5 million to coordinate traffic signals, so traffic flows better throughout the city.
“The proposed capital spending plan funding will allow for WeGo to continue advancing service expansion, bus stop upgrades, and transit center projects,” said Steve Bland, CEO of WeGo Public Transit. “These are key items, as identified in the nMotion plan, to better serve our community.”
Below is a breakdown of CSP priorities in relation to recommendations from the mayor’s three transition committees: How Nashville Grows, How Nashville Moves, and How Nashville Works.
How Nashville Grows
As previously noted, this Capital Spending Plan includes projects in every corner of the county, fulfilling a key campaign promise to encourage growth that all Nashvillians can get excited about.
The CSP allots $25 million for investment in Nashville’s East Bank, but most of the spending priority goes to existing Nashville neighborhoods.
More than $13 million will go toward a brand-new Mariposa Park and Mill Ridge Park as others will get needed improvements or repairs.
This CSP continues the city’s investment in the Fire Department Master Plan and makes a $2.5 million investment in the Connect Downtown Initiative which seeks to improve traffic in the city’s core.
Also, the Mayor seeks to invest $9 million in land and planning for a replacement public health clinic and $39 million in state of good repair transportation infrastructure projects across the county.
How Nashville Moves
Mayor O’Connell is working to rebuild Nashvillians’ trust in our transportation system by investing $2.5 million in the implementation of a new Traffic Management System which will monitor traffic flow on the city’s streets and allow for the adjusting of traffic signal timing to improve traffic flow.
The mayor is proposing $12.5 million in transportation safety initiatives that will keep cyclists and pedestrians safer around the city in accordance with Vision Zero – which seeks to eliminate cyclist and pedestrian deaths in Nashville.
“NDOT’s number one priority is ensuring that people can safely access the places they need and want to go—no matter how they travel,” said Department of Transportation Director Diana Alarcon. “These capital spending dollars are going to allow the department to continue expediting and enhancing delivery of essential safety infrastructure that will save the lives of people walking, biking, using transit, and driving in Nashville. We’re grateful to Mayor O’Connell for his leadership in recognizing the value of these improvements.”
Nashvillians know the city needs sidewalks. This plan proposes $10 million for sidewalk construction and all together invests $31 million in transit needs and improvements like a better bus fleet, neighborhood transit centers, and transit center improvements.
How Nashville Works
Mayor O’Connell is furthering investment in his work to make Metro a preeminent customer service organization. The CSP makes important investments to drive internal and external customer service in physical facilities as well as technology.
Several community centers and libraries will also see much needed reinvigorations.
With his background in software and technology, Mayor O’Connell is investing in upgrading and migrating Metro’s enterprise resource planning system (ERP) to the cloud. An investment of $2.5 million will go to waste collection and recycling information systems, and Metro Police will receive a replacement police records management system.
More than $100 million is invested in deferred maintenance, so Metro can serve Nashvillians at good facilities with systems that work efficiently. These include upgrades to parks, libraries, fire stations, and greenways, plus planning and designs for new and replacement facilities at public health, libraries, and the Metro Southeast campus.
An investment of $500,000 will go to planning a new facility for Metro Animal Care and Control.
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