Did you know that Nashville was once a leader in transportation in the United States? In 1889, Nashville was the second city in America to have electric street cars (behind Boston, MA). In 1891, an article was published stating that Nashville "solved the rapid transit problem". Even up to 1950, we remained leaders in transportation being the first city to implement dedicated bus lanes. So, how did we become the number one city in America today for the worst commute, as named by Forbes Magazine?
The answer boils down to this: over decades, we allowed our city to build infrastructure that favors cars over any other mode of transportation. This includes the question I've always had (along with many of my clients): why are so many neighborhoods in Nashville missing sidewalks? Before WWII, the responsibility was on the homeowner to either install a sidewalk or not.
In 2009, The Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee was formed with a mission to build support for funding regional transit by mobilizing community leadership. In 2012, the first major transit referendum was proposed including a ramped-up bus system called Amp with additional bus service by 2016. Unfortunately, Nashville voted against this. Then in 2018, a larger transit referendum was proposed with more busses plus five light rail corridors by 2026. Again, the city voted against it. Now, in 2024, we have the opportunity again to vote to improve Nashville's transportation infrastructure and put our city back on a trajectory to being leaders in this space with the "Choose How You Move" campaign.
In a nutshell, "Choose How You Move" and its corresponding referendum call for a more robust bus system, more technology in our traffic light system, more sidewalks, and more bike lanes. The intention is to give Nashvillians more options when it comes to deciding how they move through the city, alleviating some of our traffic concerns but more importantly unlocking opportunity & access to jobs, food, and education for many Nashvillians. Likewise, it offers an affordable option for people who would prefer to reallocate the money they would otherwise spend on a vehicle (monthly payment, insurance, maintenance, gas, etc.) to instead save for a down payment on a home.
How will this happen? The mayor has proposed a half-cent increase in sales tax for Davidson County to cover the cost of this project. This half-cent increase will bring our sales tax up to match what the surrounding counties already charge for their sales tax. This tax is essential because it creates dedicated funding for transit initiatives which will help Nashville unlock the opportunity to access Federal Funding to cover the totality of this project. Currently, that federal funding (from your federal taxes) is going to other cities to improve their transit systems.
Whether you like it or not, Nashville is growing. More people are coming. By 2030 the U.S. Census Predicts Davidson County to have an estimated 743,746 people and for the entire 14-county MSA to have a total population of 2.5M - the same as Austin, TX. That's just 6 years away!
If you have not already, please educate yourself on the Choose How You Move Initiative (https://transit.nashville.gov/) and the corresponding referendum. We will have the opportunity to vote on this referendum at the polls on November 5. Educate your community, clients, & friends. I encourage you to get out and vote; I encourage you to encourage your community to get out and vote. Tennessee ranks 51st in the country for voter turnout and Davidson County's turnout is historically less than 40% (unless it's a Presidential election). Every vote matters. Early voting starts October 16!
Brittany Hall has been with The Nashville Home Guys Team at Benchmark Realty, LLC since becoming a Realtor in October 2020. She is currently Vice Chair of the YPN Council at Greater Nashville Realtors and is passionate about being a lifelong learner, building community, and helping others achieve their goals. In her free time, she enjoys training with the Nashville & East Nashville Triathlon Clubs, hiking with her husband, and traveling the world. Currently, Brittany is participating in the Transit Leadership Academy through the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee; providing her insight into Nashville's transit dilemmas, proposed solutions, & access to Nashville's transportation industry leaders.
