It's a (Concrete) Jungle Out There
05.11.09 11:44 AMNashville’s Metro Planning Department has been redrafting the Downtown zoning codes in an attempt to do away with traditional regulations and take a progressive approach to future development. Through its recently proposed Downtown Code, Metro Planning is taking the initiative to create a complete urban environment. In addition to revitalized buildings and streets, Metro Planning’s vision of a new Downtown includes a much needed increase in green space.
The Downtown Code seeks to establish open space within each 1/4 mile radius neighborhood in Downtown. While Metro Planning has stated that development of this open space may be done by public or private entities, it has not specified where the land will come from or how it will be protected.
Downtown property owners would be wise to follow the example set by Corner Realty Partners and The Land Trust for Tennessee in December of 2007. Corner Realty granted The Land Trust a conservation easement on a half-acre parcel in Midtown Nashville near Vanderbilt. Known as Adelicia Park, this parcel became The Land Trust’s first truly urban protected property.
Adelicia Park now benefits the residents of the Adelicia Condominiums and all Nashville citizens in general, as it fronts on three roads in an area mostly covered by asphalt. The Land Trust sees this park as a model for keeping more green space in urban areas. It also hopes that the park will be an inspiration to more urban landowners to set aside their land.
Currently, 37 percent of Downtown lots are vacant. It will benefit the citizens of Nashville, now and for generations to come, if some of these lots are converted to green space and conserved through the use of easements. By following the model set by Adelicia Park, Downtown Nashville can be revitalized, one half-acre parcel at a time.
*For more information on the Downtown Code, a Community Meeting is being held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 3 pm at the Main Library, 615 Church Street, Nashville.
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