Public Works

GATEWAY BOULEVARD CORRIDOR STUDY

February 14, 2008

Metro Public Works, in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is preparing a supplement to the 1998 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for the Shelby Avenue/Demonbreun Street (Gateway Boulevard) Corridor in Nashville. This Supplemental EIS will address the remaining proposed section of the Gateway Boulevard Corridor between 4th and 13th Avenues South.

What is the Purpose of the Project?

The primary purpose of the completion of the Gateway Boulevard Project is:

  • Enhance east-west transportation linkages in the Central Business District (CBD);
  • Improve accessibility to southern portion of the CBD, in particular in the area south of Broadway; and
  • Support the ongoing and future development of the South of Broadway (SoBro) area. 

A portion of the project already constructed includes the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Cumberland River and Korean War Veterans (formerly Gateway) Boulevard between 1st and 4th Avenues.

Why is an “SEIS” necessary?

The Supplemental EIS will describe major land use changes and other significant developments that have occurred in the project area since the original Gateway Boulevard corridor was proposed more than a decade ago.  Previous environmental studies, approved by FHWA in 1998, must be updated before the rest of the project can be advanced.  Among the most noticeable changes since 1998 has been the development of The Railroad Gulch and South of Broadway (SoBro) areas.  The Country Music Hall of Fame, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, the Symphony Hall and Hilton Park are among civic investments that have been constructed in the corridor area, as well. 

In addition, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) recently identified a 15.6-acre site at Gateway and 8th Avenue for a new Convention Center concept.   The Metro Council authorized MDHA to proceed with pre-development activities for this project, which will have a distinct inter-relationship with the Gateway Corridor planning and development schedule.

What Are the needs of the Project?

The completion of Gateway Boulevard is intended to address the following transportation needs in the SoBro area. 

  • An incomplete network of existing east-west roads south of Broadway;
  • Poorly aligned intersection at Korean Veterans Boulevard and 4th Avenue and existing Franklin Street; and
  • Poor level of access along the existing roadways to serve the new development and redevelopment occurring in the SoBro area of downtown, including the recently announced new convention center site.

These needs were identified during the public and agency coordination activities conducted for the project in late 2007, as well as through prior planning efforts and review of current transportation and community plans, including the 2007 Downtown Community Plan.

A public meeting was held November 15, 2007, and comments submitted during the subsequent public comment period (which ended on December 6, 2007) indicated strong interest in terminating the Gateway Corridor at 8th Avenue South.  A second public input meeting to present and discuss this proposed western terminus was held February 12, and citizens have until March 4, 2008 to submit comments about this proposal.

Submit Project Comments

What Are The Next Steps?

The figure below illustrates the general steps in the Supplemental EIS process.  Metro is now at the step of gathering public input on the alternative that terminates the project at 8th Avenue (Step 4).

Steps in SEIS Process

chart

Once comments from the February 12 meeting have been received and reviewed, Metro and its consultant team will move forward with analyzing the potential impacts of completing the Gateway Boulevard to 8th Avenue South.  Metro will hold a Public Hearing to seek citizen input on the results of the environmental evaluation documented in the Supplemental Draft EIS.

After the Supplemental Final EIS and ROD are completed, Metro can move forward with the design, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and construction of the remainder of Gateway Boulevard.

Although a specific timetable for future project phases has not been determined, the website links below are intended as additional resources for citizens who have questions about property relocation and assistance.

For further information, call (615) 862-8730.