LAFAYETTE NEIGHBORHOOD

Neighborhood Photos

Download: Lafayette Neighborhood Report, 2006 (2.2 mb pdf) screen resolution only;
Print quality version:Lafayette Neighborhood Report, 2006 (39.7 mb pdf)
Supplemental information: Lafayette Case Studies, 2006

Other reports of interest:

The Strategic Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Nashville (2005-2015) (5.2 mb pdf)

Addressing Homelessness: Successful Downtown Partnerships. Published by the International Downtown Partnership (1.9 mb pdf)

Lafayette Neighborhood Executive Summary

At the request of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) the Nashville Civic Design Center conducted a study of the Lafayette - 8th Avenue Area.

Beginning in Summer 2005, the Civic Design Center conducted a series of meetings in the neighborhood attended by business owners, homeless service providers and residents, as well as members of the NCDC, MDHA, Planning Department and Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods staff.

Meeting #1: Community Assessment:
Discussion of existing conditions (business and property owners)
Meeting #2: Community Assessment:
Discussion of existing conditions (homeless individuals)
Meeting #3: Community Assessment:
Discussion of existing conditions (homeless service providers)
Meeting #4: Community Visioning Workshop
Meeting #5: Presentation of Draft Proposal (business and property owners)
Meeting #6: Presentation of Draft Proposal (homeless Individuals / service providers)
Publication of Final Proposal

Based on the information gathered at these meetings, the Nashville Civic Design Center makes the following recommendations:

• Adopt “Lafayette” as the area's official name, as recommended in The Plan of Nashville.
Define the “Lafayette Neighborhood” as the area bounded by 4th Avenue to the east, Gateway Boulevard / Franklin Street to the north, the railroad tracks and 8th Avenue to the west, and Interstates 40/65 to the south.

• Create a neighborhood association that balances the representation of the various constituencies in the area (business owners, providers and homeless) and anticipates representation of future development (business and residential).

• Advocate for an increased police presence and enforcement in the neighborhood by decreasing the size of coverage zones in the central precinct.

• Advocate increased civic accountability by Homeless Service Providers in the neighborhood to promote better relations with business owners and future residents.

• Design and build streetscape improvements to 8th Avenue South, including trees, sidewalks, lighting, bus shelters and signage

• Improve the lighting, safety and appearance of the spaces on and off site adjacent to the Clinic and Campus for Human Development Advocate for the installation of public rest room facilities in key locations throughout Downtown (at least one of these facilities should be located in the Lafayette area).

• Promote programs that actively redevelop underutilized and vacant property.
Build relationships with various foundations, government departments, and non-profit organizations that have a vested interest in revitalization efforts.

• Coordinate future proposals to be consistent with Metro’s 2005 “Strategic Plan to End Chronic Homelessness”