Transit and Affordability Taskforce
Former Mayor Megan Barry convened a Transit and Affordability Taskforce, co-chaired by Davidson County Clerk Brenda Wynn and former Mayor Bill Purcell, that offered policy, project, and programmatic recommendations to help Nashville’s decision-makers ensure that planned high-capacity transit corridors are safe, affordable and inclusive for everyone. The taskforce developed strategies to improve the economic prospects and equity of these areas and provide new opportunities for housing and commerce — all while avoiding displacement of the vital communities of residents and businesses that call these corridors home today.
Guided by best practices and lessons-learned from other cities, Taskforce members recommended policies to ensure a long-term affordability strategy that preserves and creates opportunities for all Nashvillians to live and work in close proximity to transit. The Taskforce’s work product will be consulted as a guideline by which to implement near/mid/long-term policies, projects, and programs to prevent displacement of vulnerable residents and businesses as high-capacity transit infrastructure is constructed in Davidson County. Early engagement of local stakeholders and leaders will enable the Metropolitan Government and its partners to harness community interest in this issue, and initiate thoughtful collaboration across neighborhoods and interested groups.
Transit and Affordability Taskforce Meetings:
- Nov. 8th (2-4PM): Introductory Meeting (Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave)
- Nov. 15th (2-4PM): Housing Affordability (Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave)
- Nov. 29th (2-4PM): Construction and affordability anti-displacement strategies for small businesses (Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave)
- Dec. 8th (9-11AM): Business, Finance and Development, Neighborhood and Housing Preservation (West Police Precinct, 5500 Charlotte Avenue)
- Dec. 15th (9-11AM): Recommendations around housing and small-businesses (Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave)
- Dec. 28th (9-11AM): Finalizing recommendations for affordable housing and small business strategies (Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave)
- Jan. 4th (2-4PM): Final reports from Taskforce subcommittees (Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave)
- Jan. 10th (2-3PM): Submit report with recommendations (Historic Metro Courthouse, 1 Public Square)
The Transit and Affordability Taskforce is comprised of local affordable-housing advocates, owners of small businesses located along proposed high-capacity transit corridors, real-estate developers, and planning experts. Members include:
- Ashley Northington, Agency Director & Chief Brand Officer of Denor Brands & Public Relations
- Bill Phillips, Partner with Windrow Phillips Group
- Councilmember Bob Mendes, Chair of the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Committee
- Brent Elrod, Director of Planning and Development with Urban Housing Solutions
- Hal Cato, CEO of Thistle Farms
- Hank Helton, Senior Vice President of Pathway Lending
- State Representative Harold M. Love Jr.
- Heather Powell, CEO of the Tennessee Kidney Foundation
- James Fraser, Vanderbilt Professor and Independent Housing Consultant
- Lilian Yepez, Co-owner of La Hacienda
- Mark Deutschmann with Village Real Estate Services and the Urban Land Institute
- Marshall Crawford, President and CEO of The Housing Fund
- Michael King, Owner of Monell’s Dining and Catering
- Nate Harris, Owner of Woodcuts Gallery and Framing
- Nawzad Hawrami, Director of the Salahadeen Center
- Patrick Green, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1235 and member of the PATHE Coalition
- Paulette Coleman, Chair of the Affordable Housing Task Force of Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH)
- Pearl Sims, member of the Edgehill Coalition and the Metro Planning Commission
- Pete Wooten, Financial Advisor with Pinnacle Financial Partners
- Phil Ryan, Vice President of Cherry & Associates