Mayor Freddie O’Connell has filed the fourth Capital Spending Plan of his first term, proposing hundreds of millions of dollars for Nashville schools, transportation, fire stations, parks, libraries and other public infrastructure.
The plan includes $107.4 million for Metro Nashville Public Schools, $86.3 million for transportation infrastructure and $44 million for Nashville Fire Department projects. It also provides funding for a new elementary school in Antioch, improvements to Head Start facilities, greenway expansion and continued work on a new Richland Park Branch Library.
“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 lets Nashvillians know they are cared for with basic city services and prioritized through key neighborhood investments,” O’Connell said.
Metro Nashville Public Schools would receive $107.4 million for design, construction, additions and 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. Funding would also support district wide maintenance, safety and security improvements and replacement of buses and other vehicles.
The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure would receive $86.3 million for roads, bridges, culverts, sidewalks, traffic signals and other transportation infrastructure. The funding also includes safety and Vision Zero projects and active transportation improvements.
WeGo Public Transit would receive $12.5 million for Access Ride paratransit vehicles, replacement buses and matching funds for federal and state transportation grants.
The plan directs $44 million to the Nashville Fire Department for work on Fire Stations 2, 24 and 25 and improvements to other stations. The department would also receive 12 new ambulances and fire trucks through Metro’s heavy-fleet replacement program.
Another $5 million is designated for repairs to Metro Action Commission Head Start facilities serving low-income families.
The Department of General Services would receive funding for building maintenance, solar projects, heavy equipment and future space needs. That includes $75 million to relocate the Metro Southeast campus because of construction and expansion at Nashville International Airport.
Parks and greenways would receive $14.3 million, including $4.6 million to complete major segments of the Cumberland River and Seven Mile Creek greenways. Another $6.4 million would support park and amenity improvements identified through the city’s Plan to Play master plan, while $3 million would fund greenway fencing, netting, bridges and boardwalk improvements.
The plan also includes $20 million for Metro Water stormwater engineering, construction and maintenance and $8 million for infrastructure associated with the Napier and Sudekum Transformation, a neighborhood revitalization effort involving Napier Place, Sudekum Apartments and the surrounding community.
Libraries would receive $2.7 million for continued work on a new Richland Park Branch Library and maintenance and repairs at library locations throughout Davidson County.
Finance Director Jenneen Reed said the administration designed the plan around fiscal responsibility and maintaining Nashville’s strong credit ratings, which she said help lower the city’s borrowing costs.
The administration filed the Capital Spending Plan with the Metro Council Office on Sept. 25. The Metro Council is scheduled to begin considering the proposal Oct. 5.
