🏙️ What will the East Bank’s future look like?

🏙️ What Will the East Bank’s Future Look Like?

The development situation on the East Bank remains confusing, so on today’s podcast, District 7 Councilmember Emily Benedict helps us untangle it all. From the amendments Council recently passed putting boundaries on the scrapyard to why the state rerouted $300 million of surplus convention center cash to the East Bank, we’re hashing out the future of Nashville’s most valuable patch of land. When all is said and done, will it still be East Nashville — or are we creating a second downtown? [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🍽️ Was 2012 Nashville’s Best Dining Year?

Nashville Scene columnist Chris Chamberlain claims 2012 was Nashville’s greatest year in restaurant history, with seven restaurant openings that are far more important than any new dining out options. From Etch to Hattie B’s, these restaurants helped set the stage for Nashville’s food scene. [Nashville Scene]

• Speaking of new restaurants, here are our favorite recent openings. [📰 City Cast Nashville]

🏛️ Lee Announces Special Session

Gov. Bill Lee has called a special session tomorrow, May 5, to redraw Tennessee’s last remaining Democratic-controlled congressional district, the Memphis-based 9th. This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to weaken the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which ensured representation for Black voters. State lawmakers must act fast if they want to redraw Tennessee’s congressional districts, as primaries are Aug. 6. [Nashville Banner]

• Here’s a map of how Sen. Marsha Blackburn would like to redistrict the state. [Facebook]
• Before 2022, Nashville had one congressional district, but after Republican gerrymandering, we were split across three. [Tennessee Lookout]

🏳️‍🌈 Advocates Urge Governor To Veto Bills

Local LGBTQ+ advocates are urging Gov. Bill Lee to veto a set of bills targeting the queer community. The bills include one stipulating that government entities refer to gender as only male or female or risk losing state funding. State lawmakers recently passed these bills, though Lee has yet to sign them into law. He has only vetoed one bill in his almost eight years in office. [Tennessee Lookout]

• We spoke with Chaplain Dahron Anneliese Johnson earlier this year about these bills, and how they will impact our LGBTQ+ community. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

Welcome to your neighborhood bulletin board, where we keep you updated on upcoming community meetings we think you should know about, from chatting with councilmembers to discussing traffic solutions. Not sure what district you live in? Check here!

City-Wide

• Tomorrow is Election Day for the Davidson County Primary Election. Make sure to vote, if you haven’t already!
• WeGo is hosting six events throughout May to help people sign up for a Journey Pass, Nashville’s fare-free transit program for low-income folks.

Antioch

• On May 13, join Councilmember Antoinette Lee for a virtual District 33 community meeting.

Bellevue

• Hang out at the Bellevue community picnic in the field behind the library on May 16.

Brentwood

• Participate in a Holt Hills Road community cleanup and bulk item collection on May 9.

East Nashville

• Help clean up Shelby Street on May 9.
• On May 11, meet at Tabla Rasa Toys for an Eastwood neighbors community cleanup.

Richland-West End

• Attend a virtual community meeting discussing the Acklen Park Athena Bikeway on May 6.

South Nashville

• A Wimpole Drive street cleanup is on May 9.

Sylvan Park

• Volunteer at a Richland Creek stream cleanup on May 16.