05.15.2024

Today’s Forecast

75º | 50% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 5:40 a.m. | Sunset 7:46 p.m.

Let’s talk Metro for a minute

Mayor Freddie O’Connell delivers first State of Metro address

A person standing at a podium and delivering a speech in front of a bus.

Mayor O’Connell presented the State of Metro at the Fairgrounds Nashville in front of a bright purple WeGo bus. | Photo via Metro Nashville

Mayor Freddie O’Connell delivered his first State of Metro on Tuesday.

“Many years, the State of Metro address includes new initiatives announced in the budget,” O’Connell said. “This year, though, the big things we’re doing are happening outside our traditional operating budget process.”

Here are the four main points shared in his address:

Capital spending plan

Mayor O’Connell’s $514 million spending plan, approved earlier this year, allocates funds for Metro Schools, NDOT, WeGo Public Transit, Metro Parks, and other city services.

At the State of Metro, he highlighted a few countywide investments included in the plan:

The future Mariposa Park
Mill Ridge Park’s expansion
Three elementary schools under construction (Lakeview, Paragon Mills, and Percy Priest)
Two new fire stations
New Hadley Park library branch (design phase)

Operating budget

The mayor’s proposed $3.27 billion operating budget includes $1.25 billion for Metro Nashville Public Schools, a 3.5% cost of living increase for Metro workers, and bringing the minimum hourly wage up to $20 for general government employees.

“We’re keeping the lights on, have a strong pay plan, are investing in our public schools and affordable housing, and otherwise living within our means with this year’s operating budget,” O’Connell said.

East Bank

The riverfront area you see today will look much different in the future following the approval of key East Bank legislation last month. Metro’s master developer agreement with The Fallon Company means 1,550 residential units (including 695 affordable units) are a go, and TPAC will one day call the East Bank home.

Transportation improvement program

The $3.1 billion “Choose How You Move” initiative unveiled in late April depends on voters approving a half-cent sales tax increase to fund sidewalk, signal, bus service, and safety improvements. Mayor O’Connell announced that the plan passed an independent audit this week and will now go before Metro Council for ballot approval in November.

Watch the full address

Events

Wednesday, May 15

The Avett Brothers Listening Party | Wednesday, May 15 | 4-5 p.m. | Grimey’s, 1060 East Trinity Ln. | Free | Hear the band’s new album in full two days before its official release and score a special poster while supplies last.

Thursday, May 16

12th Annual YUM!East | Thursday, May 16 | 5-9 p.m. | East Park, 600 Woodland St. | $65+ | Admission includes unlimited food samples, a souvenir pint glass, and an open bar with local beer and wine.

Friday, May 17

Valerie Bertinelli Signing Line | Friday, May 17 | 12 p.m. | Parnassus Books, 3900 Hillsboro Pk. | $38 | Each ticket admits one person to the signing line and includes one copy of “Indulge: Delicious and Decadent Dishes to Enjoy and Share.”

Saturday, May 18

Microcar Rides for Kids | Saturday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lane Motor Museum, 702 Murfreesboro Pk. | Cost of admission | Kids ages 3-12 can ride in the museum’s 1957 Messerschmitt KR200 and 1956 Heinkel Kabine.
Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United FC | Saturday, May 18 | 12:30 p.m. | GEODIS Park, 501 S. Benton Ave. | $34+ | The team hosts Atlanta United FC for MLS Rivalry Week.

Sunday, May 19

Shindig, Sweat, Shiver | Sunday, May 19 | 4-6 p.m. | Framework, 436 E. Iris Dr. | $15+ | Celebrate 100 days of Framework with live music, a non-alcoholic tasting experience, and sauna and cold plunging sessions.
Screening on the Steps | Sunday, May 19 | 7 p.m. | W Nashville, 300 12th Ave. S. | Free | Join the hotel for an outdoor screening of the Oscar-winning film “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Coming Soon

Real Estate

Luxury living arrives this summer at Tomlinson Pointe

Presented by a NASHtoday Partner

A rendering of one of the new homes in the Tomlinson Pointe neighborhood, with a white exterior, pointed roof, and wide windows.

Tomlison Pointe is located in one of Nashville’s highest-rated school districts. | Image provided by Toll Brothers

Introducing Tomlinson Pointe, where sophisticated modern design, luxury amenities, and seamless outdoor living welcome you home.

Arriving summer 2024, this brand-new community from Toll Brothers is carefully curated to elevate your daily living experience.

🏠 Luxe plans + amenities

Choose from two luxe collections, each featuring open-concept floor plans + designer finishes, and enjoy a full suite of world-class community amenities, including:

Outdoor pool with cabanas
Fire pit gathering area
Playground + activity lawn
Green space throughout

Bonus: Live in a space designed around you with customization options like more expansive living areas, flex rooms, and elevated outdoor living features.

📍 A location to love

The new community is nestled among the endless shopping, dining, and entertainment options of Mt. Juliet, and sits just a short drive from bustling downtown Nashville.

Join the VIP list today to be among the first to hear about updates, pricing, and availability.

See the homes + sign up

News Notes

Announced

CMA Fest announced another round of performers across multiple stages. Not only will Craig Morgan, Gretchen Wilson, Terri Clark, and Josh Turner open the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium, Old Dominion has been added to Saturday’s lineup. See more additions.

Coming Soon

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe is bringing its waffles, pancakes, and omelets to Capitol View at 404 11th Ave. N. The Orlando-based chain, which also serves lunch, has area locations in Gallatin and Hendersonville. Stay tuned for the opening date. (Nashville Business Journal)

Open

In other foodie news, Cheese Lab is now open inside Assembly Food Hall — in the North Hall near Whisk Crepes Cafe. The eatery offers a variety of melts, as well as soups, salads, and sides like buffalo chicken mac and cheese.

Biz

A new bar with ties to music magazine Hit Parader is slated to open downtown. While not many details are known, Hit Parader Nashville is hiring for multiple positions and will occupy the former Bowie’s Nashville space at 174 3rd Ave. S. (Nashville Business Journal)

Eat

Pair your morning cup of ambition with four Dolly Parton-themed donuts at Krispy Kreme: original glazed with a chocolate butterfly piece, peach cobbler, banana pudding, and chocolate creme. Bonus: Patrons who dress up or sing a Dolly song on Saturday, May 18 will score a free donut at area locations.

Coming Soon

Have you seen the new luxury community opening in Mt. Juliet this summer? Tomlinson Pointe features sophisticated homes in the mid-$600s and includes an array of high-end amenities. See the spaces + join the VIP list for updates.*

Try This

Ready for your next girlfriends getaway? Enter: Clarksville, TN — a charming river city brimming with Instagram-worthy destinations. From adorable Airbnbs and fun group activities to upscale eateries and shopping galore, there’s something fun for all the ladies. See our picture-perfect recs.*

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Wellness

Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Sleep Gummies are available in two strengths and made with high-quality USDA organic CBD extract. Get 30% off with code CBDSLEEP30.*

Open

🍰 We’re sweet on these treats

Two new dessert spots open at Nashville Farmers Market

A vendor set up for business inside a market-style building with a counter and display sign reading "Sweet Music City Candy Co."

The businesses are located on the side closest to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. | Photo via @nashvillefarmersmarket

Nashville is a little sweeter with the addition of two new businesses at the Nashville Farmers Market: Nosh Desserts and Sweet Music City Candy Co. Here’s what each spot is serving up inside the Market House.

Sweet Music City Candy Co.

The shop specializes in small-batch confections like toffee and caramels, available in flavors such as coffee, sea salt, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate. Look out for two new toffee varieties coming soon: vegan dark chocolate and nut-free milk chocolate.

Nosh Desserts

Peek inside the display case for a variety of cakes, cheesecakes, macarons, and other sweets. Pro tip: Order on the spot or fill out this form in advance.

For now, both businesses are open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Buy

Graduation gifts. Celebrate the end of the school year with graduation gifts for the recent grad in your life.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dylan

From the editor

Is everyone else loving having every moment soundtracked by cicadas yet? I don’t mind it too much, but I could do without them flying into me on my afternoon walk. Anyway, you don’t have to worry about them landing in your margarita on Rosepepper’s patio with the biz’s new “cicada defense system.”

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