Evidently, the Amqui train station restoration in Madison got TDOT's funding this year. Former Mayor Purcell viewed our project as 4th in a list of 6 in terms of importance. This means we have to get active and educate our elected representatives and leaders. We need to generate letters of support for our project and get them turned in before the TDOT application deadline of December 14. The consensus of the group was to reapply for 2008, and if we don't get approved then, use the remaining MDHA grant funds to improve the major intersection at Thompson Lane and Murfreesboro Rd.

Please send your letter of support to MDHA, 701 S. 6th Street, Nashville, TN 37206, attention Linda Howard.

Writing the Mayor, the Governor, local Council members, at-large Council members will help as well.

The latest application is about half of what was applied for last year. The lighting didn't meet TDOT specs, and there is only room in the budget for sidewalks on the North side of the street. Crosswalks at Thompson, Foothill and Mill Creek are still in the plan. Also out is any landscaping. Bus pull-offs will be added and MDHA will coordinate that with MTA. We should be encouraged to call this "Phase One." While this is confusing, curbs, sidewalks and crosswalks are still an improvement. We should leap at the opportunity to make any improvement to our area.

(master plan images)

Background info:

MDHA originally got a Community Development grant for streescape improvements along Murfreesboro Road, from Thompson to Spence. They had hoped to leverage those funds toward an additional enhancement grant from TDOT, so enough funds would be available to really impact the area.

Jim Douglas, of Hodgson and Douglas (the selected landscape architectural firm) gave a presentation on streetscape improvements to the Murfreesboro Road Commercial District at community meetings on June 5th and 29th, 2006. The final master plan was previewed on September 21st 2006.   Trees down the median, along with improved lighting, sidewalks from Thompson Lane to Foothill Drive, and more trees for the sides were among the items discussed, as was making the Thompson Lane intersection more pedestrian friendly.  Curbs will also be added, which will separate vehicles from pedestrians. MDHA should know more in October, 2007. The history of this proposal follows.  

In November 2005, The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) wrapped
up its series of preliminary meetings to gather input for the $600,000 community development grant for improving the Murfreesboro Road Commercial District.  Consensus was that the primary focus be the Thompson Lane/Murfreesboro Rd. intersection, with
the secondary focus being the Spence Lane/interchange area.  It was also suggested
that improvements be made to the infrastructure of the medians to make them safer, followed closely by the appearance (and hopefully, lower maintenance) of the medians
and more pedestrian-friendly additions like crosswalks and sidewalks.  A "bookend"
approach with attention to both the Thompson Lane and Spence Lane intersections, followed by further work to the middle sections was viewed as desirable.

MDHA contact info:

So far the grant is expected to total $647,957.00 (including 2006 funds) with hopes
that the amount can be leveraged to increase funding from other sources, including TDOT.  MDHA is hoping the funds will total in the $1.2 million range.  The process will take several months, with an additional year for implementation.  

Eligible activities for these funds can include:

• Neighborhood Plans
• Improvements to Community Centers
• Improvements to Public Libraries
• Streets, Sidewalks, Curbs, Gutters
• Home Rehabilitation
• Demolition
• Mini-Parks, Park Improvements (Equipment, Walking Tracks, Landscaping)
• Drainage Improvements, Water/Sewer Projects
• Site Improvements for Housing Development
• Removing Architectural Barriers (Ramps etc. for Disabled)

Ineligible activities include:

• Conduct of General Government (Buildings/Payroll)
• New Housing Construction, Except for Shelters
• Cost of Operating or Maintaining Public Improvements
• Earning Interest on Funds
• Personal Property Other than Fire Fighting Equipment

Input and comments from homeowners, business people, faith-based and other not-for-profit groups are needed to make this project reflect our community's best interests.

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In the past, TDOT only mowed the Murfreesboro Road median 3 or 4 times per growing season. Everyone knows that was not nearly enough. They claim they are up to 6 mowings for 2007, but we know that isn't enough. Efforts are underway to get some additional funding to get the job done right. TMAG approached them in 2004 about the possibility of hiring a private contractor to do mowing, but they rejected it
out of liability concerns.  Thanks to State Rep. Janis Sontany, who had further
discussions with TDOT, they agreed to let us do it. TMAG's obligation: provide the
state a certificate of insurance to cover liability, and, of course, pay the mowing contractor.

Rep. Sontany is also working for some indirect reimbursement from the State via Metro.  This would only be a partial reimbursement, but would at least make this a joint public - private sector effort.

In 2004 and 2005, each mowing cost approximately $500.00 each, including insurance.  We ran out of funds in 2006. Last year, we relied on TDOT and dry weather to keep the grass and weeds in check.  Your help is needed. To donate, please send a check to:  TMAG   P.O. Box 100941, Nashville, TN 37224-0941 or take a picture of the unmowed medians and send it to TDOT, Mayor Dean, your Council Rep, Governor Bredesen or anyone else you might think relevant. (Please don't send pictures to Rep. Sontany. She knows all about it and has been extremely helpful.)

View a list of donors here.