Plus, Jonathan's Grille announces expansion plans.
 
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75º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:24 a.m. | Sunset 4:38 p.m.
 
🚌 Get connected
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Connect Downtown includes everything from new signals and safety projects to more frequent bus service and mobility lanes. | Photo via WeGo Public Transit
Nashville’s Connect Downtown project team released a draft action plan that seeks to improve mobility and address traffic congestion in the downtown core.

What this means: It’s the last chance to provide feedback before recommendations are finalized early next year.

The big picture

In its draft form, the 10-year action plan — a collaboration between NDOT, WeGo Public Transit, TDOT, and the Nashville Downtown Partnership — recommends focusing on five “big moves” to improve mobility in the downtown core.

Manage congestion: Upgrade signals and convert select streets to one-way or two-way travel. The Traffic Management Center (opening in early 2024) will monitor traffic flow in real time.

Improve safety: Advance Vision Zero projects and programs to make downtown’s streets safer.

Move more people: Prioritize buses on key corridors and increase service. The plan calls for new mobility centers in SoBro and on the East Bank (similar to WeGo Central) + three new Transit Priority Corridors (areas with dedicated bus lanes and transit priority signals).

Create complete networks: Develop safe, separated, and connected spaces for walking, biking, rolling, and scooting facilities. Think: wider sidewalks and advancing WalknBike projects.

Maximize the curb: Curb management for deliveries, service vehicles, and passenger pick-up and drop-off. Think: Digitizing curbside regulations and studying the use of “microhubs” to manage distribution in select areas.

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Proposed areas where select streets could be converted for one-way or two-way travel. | Graphic via Metro Nashville

What’s next

Connect Downtown’s projects will be completed in three phases, beginning in 2024, though the timeline isn’t “rigid.” This means starting with “quick wins,” or programs that are ready for implementation, as more complex projects are designed.

Projects are expected to be paid for through local funds, competitive grant funds, developer contributions, and future partnerships. However, the project team notes that Nashville will require a “significant increase” in transportation funding to fully implement the plan.

Ready to get connected? Residents can provide input via this survey on Connect Downtown’s project website.
 
 
Events
 
Thursday, Nov. 16
Friday, Nov. 17
  • Bert Kreischer | Friday, Nov. 17 | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway | $58+ | The comedian brings his “Tops Off World” tour to Nashville.
Saturday, Nov. 18
  • Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 1 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway | $116+ | Watch the Preds take the ice on Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
  • Fall Star Party | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 6-8 p.m. | Warner Parks Special Events Field, 61 Vaughn Rd. | Free | Local astronomers will be on hand with telescopes to view stars, planets, constellations, and nebulae — registration required.
Sunday, Nov. 19
  • 7th Annual Scott Hamilton & Friends: A Salute to 90s Country | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 5 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway | $30+ | Trace Adkins, Deana Carter, Jo Dee Messina, and more perform as figure skating champions take to the ice — ticket proceeds go to the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation.
Monday, Nov. 20
  • Christmas 4 Kids Benefit | Monday, Nov. 20 | 7 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium, 116 Rep. John Lewis Way N. | $46+ | Enjoy performances by Shenandoah, Phil Vassar, Chapel Hart, Mikayla Lane, and HunterGirl.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
Community
 
How you can support NASHtoday’s 2024 vision
City Editor Dylan poses with a bear statue.
Help us keep writing the stories that connect you closer to our city. | Photo by NASHtoday
It’s hard to believe it’s almost a wrap on 2023 — and what a year it’s been. We’ve been privileged enough to bring you incredible Nashville news stories straight to your inbox.

Check out some of City Editor Dylan’s favorites:
We’re asking for your support to bring you even more stories like these next year.

We’re passionate about our approach to local news. In 2024, you can depend on us for newsletters free of divisive political content. Instead, we’ll deepen your Nashville roots, celebrate our city, and tell you ways to get involved with our community.

Joining our membership club is a powerful way to support our mission and keep our free newsletters hitting your inbox. Join and support us today.
 
News Notes
 
Biz
  • Jonathan’s Grille announced six future locations, including three in Middle Tennessee (Lebanon, Smyrna, and Clarksville) and others in Jackson, Chattanooga, and Huntsville, AL. The restaurants are expected to break ground over the next two years. (Nashville Business Journal)
Number
  • 77 out of 100. That’s Nashville’s score for the Human Rights Campaign’s 2023 Municipal Equality Index, which dives into municipal laws and how inclusive they are of LGBTQ+ people. In case you missed it, that’s the same score as last year.
Ranked
  • Student resource site Fashion-Schools.org named Belmont University’s O’More College of Architecture & Design as one of the top fashion design programs in the US. O’More ranked No. 35 nationally and No. 6 regionally + is the only Tennessee university on the list.
Biz
  • The deadline to apply for LaunchTN’s Community Partner Program is Wednesday, Nov. 22. The initiative provides financial awards to organizations and companies that offer entrepreneur support programs in their communities. Learn more + apply.
Environment
  • Nashvillians are invited to tour the city’s recycling facility (208 River Hills Dr.) tomorrow, Nov. 17 in honor of America Recycles Day. Space is limited for the five available time slots + advanced registration is required.
 
 
Eat
 
🔥 Coming in hot to Nashville Yards
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The ground-level restaurant’s exterior. | Rendering via Fogo de Chão
The restaurant scene at Nashville Yards is growing — and so is our appetite.

Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão announced plans for an 8,500-sqft location at the downtown mixed-use development. The restaurant, which has a presence across the US and internationally, provided a sneak peek into its anticipated 2025 debut.
  • A churrasco grill will anchor the dining room, offering guests a view of the butchering, handcarving, and grilling of seasoned meats.
  • A market table in front of the grill will boast seasonal salads, superfoods, cured meats, and more.
  • Order signature cocktails and shareable plates from Bar Fogo.
  • Choose-your-own dining adventure with weekday lunch, weekend Brazilian brunch, group and private dining, to-go options, a butcher shop, and catering.
Bonus: There will be an all-day happy hour, including $5 Brazilian beers, $8 South American wines, and select $10 cocktails.
 
The Buy
 
Know someone who loves candles and cosmos? Add this candle to your cart this holiday season.
 
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The Wrap
 
Dylan Today’s edition by:
Dylan
From the editor
If you’re a fan of “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” and other Studio Ghibli classics, the Belcourt Theater has you covered in early December. Five Hayao Miyazaki films will screen ahead of the US release of “The Boy and the Heron,” which is said to be the director’s final film.
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