Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville residents now have an opportunity to determine where Metro government funds will be invested. The city’s Participatory Budgeting Program allows community members to vote on 35 proposed development projects with the voting deadline set for November 30, 2023.
One noteworthy initiative on the list is project number 21, which aims to cultivate directed historical tours along Jefferson Street. This initiative throws the spotlight on North Nashville and the rich contributions made by its residents. It also seeks to educate the public on the history of Nashville’s “Black Wall Street,” a historically significant African-American business hub.
Besides the historical tour, several other North Nashville projects are up for consideration. Project number 19 proposes various updates to Monroe Park, such as replacing the aging playground equipment, adding pedestrian signage and picnic tables, and planting new trees.
Other notable projects include Project 18, which proposes placing historic markers in the Belmont-12 South area to highlight its African-American history and installing benches on Blair Boulevard and Natchez Trace. Project 28 envisions updates for Antioch Park, including the installation of a regulation soccer field.
All Nashville residents aged 14 and above are eligible to vote and can choose up to five projects to support.
In 2021 and 2022, the Mayor’s Office allocated $2,000,000 in Capital Spending Plan funds to be used within the Bordeaux and North Nashville region. This year, the city has expanded the Participatory Budgeting program to include all of Nashville and Davidson County.
In December 2022, the Metro Financial Oversight Committee recommended allocating $10 million from the American Rescue Plan funds for the 2023 citywide Participatory Budgeting Cycle. This was unanimously approved by the Metro Nashville Council in January 2023.
The Steering Committee is due to develop the process guidelines in early 2023, after which budget delegates will formulate the ballot, anticipated to be completed by September 2023. Voting will take place in October and November 2023 and, after the votes are counted, Metro will begin implementing the selected projects.
This participatory budgeting initiative underscores the importance of active public engagement in local government decisions and gives a voice to the people in shaping their community.
