2026

Parklet Design Competition

We are depaving over 900 sq ft!

Design Submissions open now-July 12

The 4th Annual Parklet Design Competition calls on designers and architects to conceptualize a “parklet” design for the chosen site. All designs are reviewed by a committee of experts and stakeholders. The winning design will be fully built and unveiled on PARK(ing) Day (September 19th, 2026). Help us give Kingdom Café & Grill an amazing new oasis for convening and eating delicious soul food in the heart of the Jefferson Street entertainment district.

Check out the Specs

Complementing Choose How You Move visions

Following the Jefferson Street Corridor Study, we are thrilled to support a business on the corridor that has been an integral part of the community. The visionary sketch from the Choose How You Move team imagines not 1, but 6 parking spaces being reclaimed for people. The Design Center decided to expedite this transformation through the Parklet Design Competition.

Kingdom Café & Grill is a Community Institution

Kingdom Café & Grill is celebrating its 10th Anniversary! The business was founded by Pastor Howard Jones Jr., who believed the church should serve the community every day — not just on Sundays and Wednesdays. Located in the heart of Nashville’s historic Jefferson Street corridor, Kingdom has grown into more than a soul food restaurant; it has become a community gathering place rooted in culture, hospitality, and service.

Following the 2020 Nashville tornado, Kingdom served as a hub for neighbors, volunteers, and families in need, reflecting its ongoing commitment to the community. Today, Howard Jones III continues the vision of his father by blending food, culture, music, and community engagement to help preserve and uplift the historic legacy of Jefferson Street. He also serves as Entertainment Chair for the Jefferson Street Historical Society and is passionate about creating experiences that honor the street’s rich history and future growth.

Thanks to our Construction Partner for this Design Competition!
 
The Brief:

IMPORTANT ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

This year, we are completely depaving 935 square feet of asphalt and concrete where we will place the parklet on structural supports rather than building to the grade of the asphalt. This will leave space for nearly 800 square feet of native landscaping and trees as well as future parklet expansion. Landscape design suggestions will be taken into consideration with the parklet design.

Requirements:

  • Maximum built footprint: 140-160 square feet

  • Parklet can be any shape, but the platform must be level with curb leading to business entrance in at least one location for an ADA accessible entrance to the patio from the front door

  • Parklet base must be a permeable surface or decking to follow depave guidelines

  • Shade treatment and/or strategic tree planting to mitigate full sun during lunch service

  • Consider seating that works for having drinks outside or enjoying a full plate of Meat and Three selections

Special Requirement:

Jefferson Street has been a hub of community for North Nashville. The street has a deep history of Black excellence as home and gathering place to multiple HBCUs as well its roots in music history—from the Fisk Jubilee Singers to Jimi Hendrix. To learn more about the area, consider taking a self-guided history tour!

  • Consider addressing Historic Jefferson Street’s connection to live music and Kingdom Café’s regular Jazz Nights

  • Consider how Kingdom Cafe might also encourage sidewalk-facing gathering for community chess or watching the parades that come by on Jefferson Street

A Parklet that breathes jefferson street’s history

Kingdom Cafe team with Howard Jones Jr. on the left and Howard Jones III on the right

Jefferson Street was a place for famous jazz and rock musicians in the mid 20th century; Brown’s Hotel and Dinner Club attracted the likes of Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald

The TSU Homecoming Parade has a decades long history along Jefferson Street
[Photo Courtesy of TSU Special Collections-1950]

Location Map
Submission Specifications

Use this downloadable template to guide you through your submission

  • 16:9 Presentation Size

  • White bar (150 pixels tall) below any visual or design content 

    • Logo and/or name can be included in the bar to identify intellectual property. This will be redacted during review to remove bias for committee.

  • Plan showing exact dimensions, features, location of Parklet, and any optional landscaping design recommendations

  • Elevation

  • Exploded Axon (optional)

  • All materials should be noted and described 

  • 250-500 word narrative about the design concept

Please note the budget for construction is $10,000 so material selections should take this into account.

Finalists will be celebrated on Civic Design Center blog, and displayed during the PARK(ing) Day Celebration on Saturday, 9/19.