Metro Water Services, Metro Parks and WeGo held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate and announce multiple improvements to the Third Avenue North corridor near Salemtown.
Mayor John Cooper, Councilman Freddie O’Connell, Water Services Director Scott Potter, Metro Parks Director Monique Odom and WeGo CEO Steve Bland were in attendance.
The multiple improvements were made as part of a large capital infrastructure project to optimize operations at the Central Water Reclamation Facility related to the Environmental Protection Agency Consent Decree.
“Today is an excellent example of what we can accomplish when departments across Metro government come together, embrace a common vision and execute to deliver for our residents. And now, it’s Nashville families who reap the benefits of their work,” said Mayor John Cooper.
In coordination with input from the surrounding neighborhoods, the following improvements have been made to this busy corridor:
- A new recreation area provides residents a much-needed space to conveniently enjoy outdoor activities and #DiscoverWater;
- An improved bus stop with a concrete pad and shelter provides WeGo riders a comfortable and safer boarding area.
- Improved lighting and landscaping make the area along 3rd Ave. more inviting and increases visibility and safety;
- Walkways and bike racks provide better and safer options for pedestrians and cyclists;
- Fencing provides protection to those enjoying these new amenities.
Water Services director Scott Potter stated, “As Metro Water Services expands, we work not only to provide Nashvillians safe, clean and reliable water and waste services, but when the opportunity presents itself, to work with our Metro partners and community to help in making Nashville the community of choice in Tennessee.”
Future plans to connect the Greenway and to add an additional dog park amenity are also part of this project, which is expected to be complete in 2025.
“It’s always impactful when we can add more green space and more recreational options for our expanding neighborhoods. Our friends at Metro Water have been great partners over the years helping our growing city to add much-needed and increasingly hard-to-find green space. We are proud to be partners in this collaborative effort to address the recreational needs in this area,” said Metro Parks Director Monique Horton Odom.
To learn more about the future plans and how the optimization of the Central Water Reclamation Facility ensures our commitment to meeting the needs of a growing city in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, visit our virtual open house.