New Donelson Branch Library
A couple weeks ago, we had the opportunity to celebrate the “topping out” ceremony for our new Donelson Branch Library. I’m pleased to report its ahead of schedule. Target completion date is still around Spring 2024.
Category: Donelson Neighborhood News
Gleaves Farm Community Meeting
Dear Friends,
I’ll be doing a full newsletter in the near future. I’m sending this to get information out about a community meeting I’m hosting with Council Member Emily Benedict about the Gleaves Farm.
Please us on Wednesday, February 15 at 6:30pm via WebEx to review updated plans for the Gleaves Farm property on Pennington Bend. Members of the public may attend in person; however, the presentation will be made over WebEx and participation via WebEx is strongly encouraged.
CM Syracuse and CM Benedict will be conducting the meeting from Committee Room 1 at the Historic Metropolitan Courthouse. Paid parking is available in the garage underneath the Courthouse.
Regards,
Jeff
615-886-9906
A Donelson Christmas
This Saturday, December 3rd at 4pm will be our annual Donelson Christmas Tree lighting. As our new Nashville Public Library Donelson Branch is under construction, we’re moving the tree lighting to FiftyForward Donelson Station, which is very convenient for everyone to enjoy the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce’s 37th Annual Christmas Parade at 2pm along Donelson Pike from Elm Hill Pike to FiftyForward and be right there for the tree lighting at 4pm.
37th Annual Christmas Parade, Christmas In Donelson, Donelson Christmas Tree
Metro Parks add “Point and Play” Banner at Two Rivers Park
I want to thank Donelson neighbor Amanda Moss for reaching out and educating me about how communication can be extremely difficult for non-speaking children. They may not have acquired the reading skills to communicate, or don’t have access to AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices, especially at parks. So, I reached out to Metro Parks about her suggestion of including a “Point and Play” banner to Two Rivers Park playground so that everyone will have a way to communicate their needs. I’m thankful to Metro Parks for agreeing to purchase this banner (shown below) as a pilot program. So, if you see this banner, thanks go to Amanda for her advocacy to help ensure our Parks are welcoming and engaging for all our children.
Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Point and Play Banner, Two Rivers Park
Fall 2022 Citizen’s Water Academy
Metro Nashville Water Services encourages everyone to sign up for the Fall 2022 Citizen’s Water Academy. The Citizen’s Water Academy (CWA) is an opportunity for Metro Water Services (MWS) customers to learn about our most precious natural resource, water, and how Water Services manages it from “river to river.” Citizen’s Water Academy is an in-person interactive five-session program, held over the course of 2.5 weeks.
Citizen's Water Academy, Jeff Syracuse Metro Councilman 15th District, Metro Water Services
You May Be Right Podcast
I think we’ll agree that our public discourse when it comes to difficult topics we may disagree on needs to improve. I am encouraged that the Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy at The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has launched a new podcast called “You May Be Right”, co-hosted by former Governor’s Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam. Check out more info here and to sign up for updates when new episodes of the podcast are available. It will tackle tough topics like gun violence, climate change, and the national debt and feature conversations between Governors Bredesen and Haslam and guests with differing viewpoints including Paul Ryan, Al Gore, Erskine Bowles, Nancy Ann DeParle, and Arne Duncan.
Bill Haslam, Howard Baker Center, Phil Bredesen, University of Tennessee
Sutherland Heights Contextual Overlay Community Meeting
Sutherland Heights has also expressed interested in learning more about the Contextual Overlay, so we will be having a community meeting on Tuesday, September 27th at 6pm at Pennington Fellowship Church at 2745 Pennington Bend Road. All are welcome to attend if you’re interested in learning more.
Contextual Overlay, Donelson Neighborhood News, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15
Old Lebanon Pike Sidewalk Project
I’m happy to announce a new Old Lebanon Pike sidewalk project will begin this winter from JB Estille Dr to Lebanon Pike. The sidewalk will be five feet wide, approximately 898 feet long, and the construction within the right of way will require the installation of approximately 447 linear feet of underground storm drainage and related water/sanitary system relocations. The project should be substantially complete within 210 days and finally complete within 240 days from commencement.
Donelson Infrastructure, Donelson Neighborhood News, Sidewalk Project
The Vision for Donelson Station is Coming to Life
I am very excited to share that the vision for Donelson Station that the community put in place in 2009 as part of the “Downtown Donelson” Urban Design Overlay is finally going to happen. After the attempt I made in my first term to bring revitalization to Donelson Station, I learned a great deal and took a more streamlined and focused approach. This approach does not include MDHA involvement and just focuses on Donelson Station and the contiguous properties. Not only will Donelson Station be transformed into a regional transit center, but there are also ongoing discussions to create a new FiftyForward Donelson Station center and theater, plus additional retail, restaurant, and housing options. The press release that went out is below.
Donelson Station, Downtown Donelson, H.G. Hill Realty Company, Regional Transportation Authority, Southeast Venture
Live Music on the Grounds
Donelson Heights Methodist Church will be hosting The Moonlighters big band for a “Live Music on the Grounds” event, free and open to the community. Bring a picnic meal and a lawn chair and enjoy an evening of live big band music. Event starts at 6 PM and ends at 8 PM on Saturday September the 10th.
Donelson Heights Methodist Church, Donelson Neighborhood News, Donelson Non-Profit News