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Tag: Donelson Christmas Parade

The Holidays are here with Tree Lightings, Parade, and Finally the Unveil of our new Donelson Branch Library

Dear Friends,

The Holiday Season is here and there is much to be thankful for and celebrate.  I hope you and your families and friends enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Here are some events coming up to put on your calendars:

  • The Donelson Hermitage Neighborhood Alliance has put together the 1st Annual Hermitage Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 2nd. 5:30pm decorating, 6pm tree lighting. It’ll be at the Hermitage Library.  See flyer below.

Hermitage Tree Lighting

  • The 36th Annual Donelson Hermitage Chamber Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, December 4th at 2pm. It’ll be on the same route it’s been for several years along Donelson Pike from Elm Hill Pike to Donelson Station, so pick a good spot anywhere on either side of the street on the sidewalk. For all information, street closure information, application to enter a float and more, visit https://www.donelsonhermitagechamber.com/christmas-parade/.
  • Yoga Muttz Movement Lounge in Donelson Plaza has organized a Winter Fest on Saturday, December 4th from Noon – 5pm with 30+ vendors, food truck, pictures with Santa, adoptable pets and more. It’ll be in the green / civic space in front of the future library. See flyer below.

Winter Fest

  • The Donelson Christmas Tree Lighting will be a great event starting at 4pm just after the Christmas Parade is wrapping up. Come a little early to help decorate the tree. There’ll be plenty of things to enjoy at the event, including:

Donelson Christmas Tree Lighting

  • The Stones River Woman’s Club returns with their Christmas Open House at Two Rivers Mansion on Saturday December 4th and Sunday, December 5th. Enjoy a bake sale, refreshments, a Christmas Shop to buy gifts and more. See flyer below for details.

Two Rivers Mansion Open House

The status of the emissions program has been a recent hot topic.  The bottom line is this program will be ended as we know it.  At the Council meeting on November 16th, we deferred the resolution to end the program until January 4th, but regardless of whether we passed the resolution that night or on January 4th, the termination date of January 14, 2022 will likely still be the same.  We allowed the Health Department to research a few things first, including likely upcoming stricter EPA regulations of emissions and to look at alternative methods for monitoring emissions, but the EPA approved a revision to remove the vehicle emissions testing program from Tennessee’s air quality plan this past August and the program is ending in Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties.  Thus, I’m comfortable ending the program here in Davidson County as well, but I was fine with deferring one time to allow our Health Dept to return with a report before officially ending it.  I know none of us are happy with the long lines because of the labor shortage we’re experiencing, but it’s also time to reevaluate the efficacy of the program as less than 10% of all the cars tested fail and cars are only improving in efficiency and reduced emissions with greater hybrid and electric cars coming in greater numbers.

You may have seen the recent WKRN news story from Julia Palazzo regarding the unsafe intersection at Old Lebanon Pike / Lebanon Pike.  I was sad to learn of another pedestrian death trying to cross in this area.  It’s not safe for pedestrians or vehicles and it’s time for a formal study to assess our infrastructure in the core of Downtown Donelson and determine what improvements could be feasibly made.  I have a Capital Improvement Budget request to perform such a study and a consultant should be hired in a few months.  We need to ensure infrastructure is not an after-thought.  More information on this in the months ahead.

JVI Secret Garden will have a special addition to their unique Christmas experience this year.  When you go to buy a tree, wreath, plant, or decoration, donate $3 or more to The Donelson Gateway Project and receive a s’more to enjoy by the fire.  Thank you for supporting your local community beautification effort!

JVI Secret Gardens

The Donelson Gateway Project (https://www.donelsongateway.org/) has continued to make a big impact for Donelson, both with beautified physical and figurative gateways into the community. Entranceways, schools, and more areas have been invested in and it’s thanks to your donations and volunteerism to make these projects happen. DGP is a non-profit that is in need of your support as the needs begin to outweigh our resources, which is why I’m highlighting this in my newsletter here. As we approach “Giving Tuesday (https://www.givingtuesday.org/) ”, we hope you’ll consider a tax-deductible contribution towards this wonderful small non-profit that does great things to make Donelson inviting and beautiful for all.

Donelson Gateway Project

Phat Bites is hosting an Open Mic for Young Musicians on Saturdays from 3-5pm.  It’s open to any young solo instrumentalist or vocalist.  Slots must be reserved.  Contact Suzanne at suzannepianolady@gmail.com to reserve a spot or for more information.  See flyer below.

Phat Bites Open Mic

Best,

jeff syracuse

Donelson Christmas Parade, Donelson Council News

Donelson Business News – January 2020

Big congratulations to Fletcher’s on their 40th anniversary.  The new paper, Main Street Nashville, did a nice article on this milestone.  Read it here.
 
Big thanks to Kursynske & Associates for the renovation they have underway at the corner Lebanon Pike and the entrance to Donelson Station.  Here are a couple of artist renderings of what the building will be transformed into.  No new tenants lined up yet, just construction and rehab at the moment.

Kursynske & Associates for the renovation they have underway at the corner Lebanon Pike
Kursynske & Associates for the renovation they have underway at the corner Lebanon Pike

As most have heard by now, the corner of Lebanon Pike and Fairway Drive where the Philip’s 66 gas station used to be is going to be a Chase Bank.  A rendering is below
 
Lebanon Pike and Fairway Drive where the Philip’s 66 gas station used to be is going to be a Chase Bank.
 
I was humbled and honored to receive the Community Advocate award at the annual end of the year awards luncheon at the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber.  Special thanks to 2019 President Randy Brothers for all his work this past year.
 
Special thanks to 2019 President Randy Brothers for all his work this past year
 
The 35th Annual Donelson-Hermitage Chamber Christmas Parade was another big success.  Businesses and organizations from all around participated.  This was the first year The Donelson Gateway Project decorated a float.  I walked with it and with Mayor Cooper for a bit.  It was great to see everyone.  Thanks to Mayor Cooper for coming by our float before we started.
 
Thanks to Mayor Cooper for coming by our float before we started the Christmas Parade.  
 
Many know about the acquisition a few years ago of CVS, Baskin-Robbins and Pizza Hut at the corner of McGavock Pike / Lebanon Pike. I met with the developers, Commercial Realty Services (website below) right after they purchased the properties back in 2015/16. They are the same ones that brought us Sindoore Indian By Nature and Jimmy John’s in the revamped shopping center at 457 Donelson Pike. Their original intent was to redevelop BR and Pizza Hut into a similar strip center. Pizza Hut has several years left on their lease but BR’s lease ends at the end of this year. BR’s parcel is small and there aren’t many options for it on its own. Unfortunately, BR will be redeveloped into a Take 5 Oil Change.  As this does not require a zoning change, there is nothing I can do.  I am looking at what options we have going forward to better align the vision of the Urban Design Overlay with the base zoning of parcels within the UDO.  As it’s Donelson’s only ice cream shop along Lebanon Pike, I’ve tried to help find them a new home and will advocate for another nice ice cream / dessert shop.  I’ll also continue my laser focused efforts of working with business and property owners to advocate for continued improvement along our Lebanon Pike business district with businesses our neighbors want that add value to our community.  I don’t want to disparage a new viable business, but a second quick oil change business less than a quarter mile from another one is not adding value to the community’s long standing desire for improvements and diversified businesses to support along Lebanon Pike.  I did meet with the new business owners of Take 5 and explained the whole situation.  They understand we aren’t blaming them and they want to be a valuable member of the community.
 
Welcome to Donelson, Catio Cat Lounge, a place where you can spend time with feline friends and adopt cat lounge and snack bar. Located in Music Valley Village at 2416 Music Valley Drive Suite 114, the Catio is a unique experience, offering a place where you can go to relax, snack and watch kitties play.
 
Domino’s Pizza will be moving into the former Papa Murphy’s building according to permits in the works.

Here’s a great story about the Eakes family / HJL Management and their efforts with revitalization their properties in Donelson.

Donelson Business News, Donelson Christmas Parade, Main Street Nashville, Mayor Cooper