Check out this stunner of a sidewalk! Castle Homes chose to build this sidewalk instead of paying in the in-lieu contribution!!!

Check out this stunner of a sidewalk!  Castle Homes chose to build this sidewalk instead of paying in the in-lieu contribution!!!

Please join The Sidewalk Foundation is sending a HUGE thank you to Castle Homes for the most beautiful sidewalk at Cross Creek and Valley Brook in Green Hills.  It's a real stunner in a neighborhood that lacks sidewalks despite being a fast cut-through street. 

 

This sidewalk is on a local street but is 1/4 mile for a 'Center' so sparked Sidewalk Bill #493.  It represents the first piece of sidewalk on the block face therefore it disallows future in-lieu contribution option for a select distance from the center on other properties.  The sidewalks must be built!  It is the start of the sidewalk network on this street.

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If you know of a builder with a commitment to walkability, please send the details and we will send them a GIANT THANK YOU & include them on a database of sidewalk friendly professionals that we will share with anyone who is interested.

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#DoingThings

#BeTheStartOfSomethingGreat

#DontLetYourBuilderTalkYouOutOfBuildingTheSidewalk

Nashville Still Needs Sidewalks

Nashville Still Needs Sidewalks

I have been blogging about sidewalk issues and walkability in Nashville since 2013.  As a pediatric physician, I am highly interested in 3 things - health, safety and a little fun.  I was warned, while researching this issue, that it's only for those willing to be in it for the long haul.  Desire for sidewalks in Nashville is nothing new.  Production of new sidewalks runs at a snail's pace.  For a little context in how long Nashvillians have been discussion our need for sidewalks, Bill Purcell ran for mayor on the platform of 'schools and sidewalks' in 1999 spurred by a lawsuit against the city for not having ADA compliant infrastructure in the downtown area.  Twenty years later, we have sidewalks on only 20% of our roadways.  Progress has been made but its glacial.

Nashville has always been fun but we have a long way to go to becoming a safe and walkable city on every one of our 532 sq miles.  There are still too many starts and stops in the sidewalks - a crazy quilt patterning of inconsistency.     

I acknowledge significant improvement in the downtown area and select neighborhoods like the Gulch & 12th So but the vast majority of neighborhoods are still wanting when it comes to sidewalks.

Nashville budget gaps and lack of confidence in Public Works are issues that will slow progress.   The Sidewalk Bill #493 has been a highly effective law change to require either building sidewalk with major development/redevelopment on arterial and collector streets (see map) or payment of a contribution in-lieu (currently  $153/linear foot which is significantly less than the cost for the city to build but maybe not too far from what a contractor would charge).  More money has been collected by this payment of a contribution in-lieu since inception of the law in 2016 than in the 10 years prior. 


Once a piece of sidewalk is built on a block that is considered an arterial or collector street (see map) then the contribution can no longer be accepted and a sidewalk must be built - a significant win for our city.  But, the trick is, it requires one piece of sidewalk to be present before the contribution option closes.  Too often, these pieces are not going in at the time of development.  Woodmont is a key example of this issue at this moment (see photos). 


If you live on an arterial or collector street and have the option of building the sidewalk or making the contribution, PLEASE, build the sidewalk. 


You will be the beginning of something wonderful.

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The Sidewalk Foundation of Nashville has two $500 grants available for first piece of sidewalk on any arterial or collector street in Nashville. 
 
  You will be the beginning of something wonderful!




Contact:  thesidewalkfoundation@gmail.com


To make a contribution:  The Sidewalk Foundation



We are looking for corporate, celebrity, individual and business sponsorship to help build a new piece of sidewalk on every arterial and collector street in Nashville.

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#DoingThings

#NashvilleOnlyHasSidewalksOnTwentyPercentOfOurRoadways


#TheSidewalkFoundation


#FoundOnFoot


#NashvilleNeedsSidewalks


#DontLetYourBuilderTalkYouOutOfBuildingTheSidewalk


#Nashville


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Takes 2 minutes - Important petition to reduce speed limits on residential streets in Nashville

Takes 2 minutes - Important petition to reduce speed limits on residential streets in Nashville

With Nashville lacking sidewalks on 80% of our roadways, pedestrians are in a dangerous position. 

  By reducing the speed limit on our neighborhood streets, which, by the way, are last on the list to get sidewalks, we could add a layer of protection for our pedestrians. 

Think of it this way:  with cars moving through neighborhoods slowly, children, pets, pedestrians, bike riders, EVERYONE would all feel safer and more welcome. 

This is a great thing for our city.

Please take a minute to sign this important petition to let our political leaders know that we want speed limit reductions on our neighborhood streets. 

Walk Bike Nashville Speed Limit Campaign

The Path is Made by Walking...

Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.  

Traveler, there is no path.  The path is made by walking. 

- Antonio Machado (1875-1939)

Please support new sidewalk production in Nashville

The Sidewalk Foundation

Residential Neighborhood Street as Greenway Extenders in Nashville?

Residential Neighborhood Street as Greenway Extenders?

Nashville neighborhood roads could be repurposed as Greenway Extenders.  This is my neighborhood which truly looks like a Greenway at any given moment. 

Note the inexpensive road design - just a plate of asphalt.  No curb, no gutter, no sidewalks.  This is typical of most neighborhood road in Nashville. 

If Nashville shifted gears and adjusted our culture to be pedestrian forward by reducing speed limits to 20mph on local residential streets & embracing the law of yielding to pedestrians, we could quickly have many more 'Greenways' for recreation and health. 

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New Sidewalk Footprint Tying in With the Old (nicely!) on Hobbs!

I'm terribly excited by these new sidewalks that are establishing a new (better!) sidewalk foot print at 2202 Hobbs. 


Hobbs houses Julia Green Elementary and Harpeth Hall and is within walking distance to the Green Hills business district. 


The existing sidewalk, on only one side of this fast paced road - the south side being devoid of sidewalk - is laid directly against the road on Hobbs.  It does not have a safe feel and yet is fairly well utilized likely due to its proximity to so many destinations. 


These new sidewalk tie in nicely to what exists and they are the first step to creating a much better pedestrian experience.

Fingers crossed this buffer zone will house shade trees!  Imagine it.  Note, no overhead utility wires so the trees could be tall and produce a lot of cool shadow.

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2 stories of children either being struck by car or almost struck by car while trying to get to school bus this past week in Nashville

2 stories of children either being struck by car or almost struck by car while trying to get to school bus this past week in Nashville




Nashvillians are not known for their pedestrian culture.  We don't seem to know what to do when we encounter a walker in the roadway.   Despite there being a 3' passing rule, the same as for bicycles, I can attest that this is not often being followed.


Pedestrians are to walk against traffic (walker should be 'face to face' with the driver).  This facilitates being seen.  It is also the law. 


It is also the law to yield to pedestrians (even if they are in the wrong ie) jaywalking). 

When a school bus is stopped, drivers are supposed to stop.  There were 2 stories in the news this week, one of a 12 year old who was struck trying to get to her school bus and another of a boy nearly hit while doing the same.


This should be an eye opener for all of us.  SLOW DOWN for PEDESTRIANS.  YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS. 

Even if walkers are moving slow, they have the right of way!

Woodmont story


12 year old struck by bus

Weight of a car vs an average person




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20 is plenty when pedestrians are about