Community Engagement Jefferson Street Study
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
North Nashville is a predominantly Black neighborhood with a rich cultural scene that is home to multiple institutions of higher education. However, historic practices of redlining and ongoing disinvestment, alongside multiple planning efforts that have stagnated, have made it difficult for North Nashville to prosper as other areas of the city do.
Fourth Economy is working alongside partners to use data and robust community engagement to uncover equitable strategies to help the Jefferson Street corridor and North Nashville more broadly protect and uplift existing residents, businesses, and institutions while also allowing for the infusion of new investment and development.
Phase 2 of this work focuses on translating these insights into actionable strategies, tools, and partnership approaches that can support community stewardship, mitigate displacement pressures, and ensure that future investment aligns with community priorities.
Our Approach
Our team’s housing analysis has focused on availability, affordability, and ownership trends. The area has a high proportion of rental properties (80%), with over half of renters facing significant cost burdens. Vacant and underutilized parcels present opportunities for redevelopment, but gaps in affordability and the rise of short-term rentals exacerbate housing challenges. Our research explores how zoning policies and public land use can support more inclusive housing development.
Our analysis examines historical and contemporary displacement trends, including the impacts of redlining, the Interstate 40 construction, and gentrification. Recent demographic shifts include a 15% decline in the Black population and a 349% increase in the white population between 2010 and 2020. These changes highlight the urgency of developing strategies to mitigate displacement and support long-term residents.
North Nashville is home to three prominent HBCUs: Fisk University, Tennessee State University, and Meharry Medical College. These institutions are cultural and economic cornerstones of the community. This section examines how these universities can collaborate with the surrounding neighborhoods to create shared development opportunities, enhance workforce pipelines, and preserve cultural ties.
Building on this foundation, Phase 2 focuses on co-design and strategy development with the Community Advisory Board and corridor stakeholders. This phase includes identifying priority interventions, developing a community toolkit of policy and program options, and exploring governance structures that can support ongoing community stewardship of the corridor.
The Results
Initial analysis and community engagement have informed a set of priority strategies focused on housing stability, business support, legacy institution protection, and community ownership.
Phase 2 is advancing these strategies through the development of a community toolkit and governance framework that can support implementation over time. These deliverables are intended to help residents, businesses, and institutions respond to development and infrastructure changes, coordinate with public agencies, and pursue opportunities that strengthen long-term community stability and economic mobility.
Location
North Nashville, TN