Schools, Services, and Safety: Mayor O’Connell Files Fourth Capital Spending Plan
Mayor Freddie O’Connell filed the fourth Capital Spending Plan of his first term on Friday, investing in projects to design, build, and improve schools, transportation, safety, and public spaces in Nashville.
“The Capital Spending Plan isn’t just about investing in projects, it’s a commitment to how we grow as a city in a way that let’s Nashvillians know they are cared for with basic city services and prioritized through key neighborhood investments,” said Mayor O’Connell. “As Nashville continues to grow, we’re upgrading our infrastructure across the city, so no community is left behind, and every resident has access to safe streets, good schools, and reliable services.”
Details on the following key projects and much more are available below:
- A new elementary school in Antioch
- Three upgraded fire stations
- Upgrades to Metro Action Commission’s Head Start campuses
- Greenway additions and improvements
- A new Richland Park Library
Moves
NDOT - $86.3 million
The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure will receive capital to maintain, repair, and improve local roads, bridges, culverts, and other transportation assets. Capital funds will also invest in safety improvements and Vision Zero projects, active transportation infrastructure, sidewalks, and signal upgrades. Additionally, NDOT will receive 17 new dump trucks, knuckle booms, and other equipment through the city’s annual heavy fleet investment (listed below in the essential service vehicles section). Just this year, previous fleet investments have paid major dividends when snowplows funded in a previous plan allowed the city to add an extra 600 miles of roadway to its snowplow routes.
WeGo Public Transit - $12.5 million
WeGo Public transit will use these funds to purchase Access Ride paratransit vehicle replacements, bus replacements, and to match federal and state transportation grants.
These projects and purchases are in addition to those funded through the mayor’s Choose How You Move program, which recently announced its latest round of capital investments in August.
Works
Schools - $107.4 million
Mayor O’Connell is dedicating $107.4 million to Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). Those projects include design, construction, additions, and/or renovations at Antioch Cluster Elementary Schools, Nashville School for the Arts, Amqui K-8, Neely’s Bend K-8, and the Hume-Fogg/MLK Stadium. MNPS will also use the funds for major maintenance projects across the district, for safety and security improvements, and to replace buses and other school system vehicles.
Public Facilities and Essential Service Vehicles - $202 million
The mayor is directing $5 million toward repairs to MAC Head Start facilities, which provide early education to low-income families.
The Department of General Services will use capital funding to replace 45 heavy fleet vehicles for Fire, NDOT, Waste Services, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Metro Action Commission (MAC); to maintain Metro buildings; to install solar projects; and to plan for future space needs. Included in the funding is $75 million to relocate the Metro Southeast campus, which must be completed within the next two years, due to construction and expansion at Nashville International Airport.
Fire - $44 million
The mayor is directing $44 million in funding to the Nashville Fire Department for three new fire stations, including Fire Station 2, 24, and 25, and for upgrades to other stations. NFD will also receive 12 new ambulances and fire trucks through the city’s annual replacement of heavy fleet (included in the essential services section above).
Libraries - $2.7 million
The mayor’s capital spending plan dedicates funding for continued work on a new Richland Park Branch Library, as well as major maintenance and repairs at library locations across Davidson County.
Grows
Metro Water - $20 million
As Nashville grows and as storms become more powerful, Mayor O’Connell is dedicating funds for stormwater system engineering, construction, and maintenance. Stormwater systems protect communities from costly flood damage, prevent dangerous water pollution, and preserve vital public infrastructure.
Parks - $14.3 million
Metro Parks will receive $14 million in funding, including $4.6 million that will enable completion of major segments of the Cumberland River and Seven Mile Creek greenways. Another $6.4 million will support general park and amenity improvements identified in the Plan to Play master plan, and $3 million will go toward greenway fencing, netting, bridge and boardwalk upgrades. These funds will build on existing capital dollars in place to create, maintain, and upgrade our local parks, recreation centers, and greenways.
Housing - $8 million
The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) will use $8 million for infrastructure needs that are part of the Napier and Sudekum Transformation, a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plan for Napier Place, Sudekum Apartments and the surrounding area.
Maximizing every dollar
“This is a disciplined capital spending plan built on a foundation of fiscal responsibility,” said Department of Finance Director Jenneen Reed. “By protecting and maintaining Nashville's exceptionally strong credit ratings, we’re able to secure lower interest rates on our municipal debt, and those direct savings reduce the long-term cost of borrowing, ensuring we maximize every taxpayer dollar to safely fund the city’s essential infrastructure needs."
The O’Connell Administration filed the Capital Spending Plan with the Metro Council Office on Friday, Sept. 25. The Metro Council will begin consideration of the CSP on Monday, Oct. 5.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
