NASHVILLE, TN — Mayor Megan Barry announces the return of Open Streets Nashville on 12th Avenue South (from Kirkwood Street to 11th Avenue at McGavock Street in The Gulch.) on September 17, 2017 from 2 pm to 6 pm and will be hosted in partnership with Walk/Bike Nashville. Open Streets events –a popular, community-driven concept both nationally and internationally– temporarily close streets to motorized traffic so that citizens of all ages, incomes, and abilities can use the space to walk, bike, exercise, shop, and get to know their neighbors.
12th Avenue South was selected to host Open Streets Nashville for the second consecutive year due to the community’s overwhelmingly positive response in 2016. Walk/Bike Nashville estimates that more than 10,000 people attended last year, where the selected route connected diverse neighborhoods, and vibrant commercial and cultural centers. The 2016 event was so well-received, this year Metro has worked with Walk/Bike Nashville, neighbors, and businesses to extend the route even further into The Gulch, for a total of 2.5 miles.
During Open Streets Nashville, the street is open to walkers, cyclists, families, musicians, dancers, and community members from around Nashville. Citizens can bring their bicycles, strollers, skateboards, non-motorized scooters, hula-hoops, and dogs on leashes. Businesses along the route are invited to open out onto the sidewalk. A variety of fitness classes and other activities will also take place in the street, all along the corridor. Open Streets is free and open to Nashvillians of any age or ability.
The route will contain “soft” closures, allowing vehicular traffic to cross the route at the five busiest intersections. A full route-map and draft street-closure information is at www.openstreetsnashville.org
Open Streets Nashville is a movement to activate people, strengthen businesses, and inspire public spaces. 2017 event sponsors include: the Metro Nashville Police Department, the Metro Nashville Department of Public Works, Civic Engineering, Hawkins Partners, Vanderbilt University, Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, RPM Transportation, Village Real Estate, Hastings Architecture, Collier Engineering, Regions Bank, and Southeast Venture.
