The Imagine East Bank Plan puts forth a comprehensive vision for transforming a 338-acre area opposite Downtown Nashville on the Cumberland River into four walkable mixed-use neighborhoods set within a framework for enhancing the area’s resiliency and a new multi-modal transportation network to expand connections to the rest of the city. Metro Nashville Planning Department’s goal in initiating the plan was a dynamic planning process supporting inclusive stakeholder engagement to create a forward thinking, community-led vision for the East Bank. This process generated four key principles: Equitable and Affordable East Bank; Safe and Simple Multimodal Connections; Respect for the River, and Neighborhoods for Nashvillians.
The Plan features:
• A 1.5-mile greenway providing continuous public access to the Cumberland River, dedicated bike lanes and recreational trails, and 13 new streets connecting to the greenway which dramatically expands access to the Cumberland River for residents of East Nashville;
• A new street grid that works with existing property ownership patterns, encourages walking and expands connections to the regional transportation networks;
• A new multi-modal boulevard that features the city’s first BRT corridor with dedicated lanes for Bus Rapid Transit and broad, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks which will form the East Bank’s transportation spine and premier real estate address;
• A comprehensive strategy for addressing the increased flood risk associated with climate change featuriing a district-level stormwater management and ‘layback areas’ along the riverbank that are designed to let water in during flood events while raising streets and new area for development above the flood plain;
• A ‘Central District’ which features an 8.6 million SF mixed-use ‘stadium village’ development anchored by a new domed NFL football stadium, new mobility hub and 16-acres of new parks.
Adopted in October 2022 by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville, the Imagine East Bank Plan is one of the largest redevelopment initiatives in the city’s history. The Plan which has spurred several major actions to date, including a $2 billion agreement to build a new stadium for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, advancement of plans for a new multimodal Boulevard through the NEPA process, establishment of a new home for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, a commitment to produce 4,000 units of affordable housing; and partnership with a master developer for the first phase of the Central Waterfront district.