Urban Design Projects

Master Plan for Ballpark and Adjacent Development

The Nashville Civic Design Center, in conjunction with the Nashville Sounds and Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, is working to gather feedback on a master plan for the new Nashville Sounds baseball park and the adjacent mixed-use development proposed by Struever Bros. for downtown Nashville. As part of the process, a series of public meetings was held; the results of which will be compiled into a document.

Learn more about the Ballpark and Adjacent Development Master Plan

Nashville Riverfront Redevelopment Plan

Mayor Bill Purcell announced October 6, 2005 that the Metro Parks and Recreation Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will work with the Nashville Civic Design Center to create a Nashville Riverfront Redevelopment Master Plan.
The Nashville Riverfront Redevelopment Plan will rely on citizen input gathered at a minimum of three public meetings and will build on principles in The Plan of Nashville that emphasize the importance of the river as an environmental, recreational and economic development asset.

Learn more about the Riverfront Redevelopment Plan

Capitol Boulevard Revisited 2002/2003

Since the opening of the Main Public Library in May 2002, there has been renewed interest in the role that Capitol Boulevard plays in the life of the city. The Nashville Civic Design Center, once the Library’s neighbor at 7th and Church, focuses heavily on the study of public space and has placed Capitol Boulevard at the top of its research agenda because of its prominence and potential. This study investigates three, of possibly many, concepts for what Capitol Boulevard can become as we continuously work to improve the quality of downtown Nashville.

To download a report of this study, click here (6mb)

Report on the Cumberland Bridges of Nashville

In February of 2001 the Civic Design Center was asked to assist Metro Public Works in the selection of a color for the proposed Gateway Bridge. On July 12 the study was expanded to include all of the bridges that connect East Nashville and the downtown, from north to south: The Jefferson Street Bridge, The CSX Railroad Bridge, The Victory Memorial Bridge, The Woodland Street Bridge, The Shelby Street Bridge and the soon to be constructed Gateway Bridge. The charge for the Civic Design Center was threefold: one, to determine the history and tradition of bridge color in the study area; two, to determine a strategy for painting the structures; and three, to determine a color or palate of colors based on aesthetics as well as technical factors.

The study was conducted by constructing a scale model of the Cumberland River with scale bridges, utilizing computer simulations of the bridges, conducting on-site investigations, and research in the various local archives. Interviews were conducted with persons involved in the construction and maintenance of the bridges, (paint) manufacturer’s representatives, a painting contractor, and other members of the community.

The Design Center’s input would not fall on deaf ears. The Shelby Street Bridge project was constructed to the highest design standards including an award-winning lighting design. The Victory Memorial and Gateway Bridges have been painted using the recommended color-scheme. Plans for further bridge improvements are underway.

To download a report of this study, click here

Selecting Sites for Civic Buildings in Downtown Nashville
This drawing analyzes the current and future siting of civic buildings in downtown Nashville.

To download this drawing, click here (2.7mb)

Nashville Convention Center Site Reuse Proposal

At the request of the Nashville Convention Center, the Nashville Civic Design Center conducted a short study on the possible conversion opportunities of the existing Convention Center site. This proposal shows a public plaza being created in front of the Ryman, with new mixed-use development along Commerce Street and Broadway. The proposal maintains the existing building underneath the site for parking and allows a portion of the structure to be utilized by the Renaissance Hotel for convention purposes.

To view the drawings, click here.