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An resolution requesting that the Tennessee General Assembly authorize the naming of the Woodlawn Avenue bridge over Interstate 440 as the “Jan Bushing Bridge.”
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WHEREAS, Jan Bushing has been a passionate advocate for the Hillsboro-West End neighborhood for many decades, working tirelessly to promote and restore the neighborhood’s unique character, history and vitality; and
WHEREAS, as far back as the 1970s, Jan was a key figure in the neighborhood’s resurgence. An original founder of the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association in 1975 and its first president, Jan led efforts to encourage Vanderbilt University to invest in the neighborhood. At the time, the neighborhood was redlined by banks, who would only offer mortgages to potential homebuyers at wildly inflated rates. At the urging of Jan and other neighborhood leaders, Vanderbilt began offering lower interest rates to its employees as incentive to buy and renovate historic homes near campus; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bushing worked with leaders across Nashville to revitalize the city more broadly. While chairing the Nashville Neighborhood Reinvestment Council in the late 1970s, she brought together older neighborhoods across the city to persuade banks to invest in previously redlined areas. Following her appointment to the Metro Planning Commission in the 1970s, she served as its chair for sixteen years. In 1980, Jan authored a booklet, “Fifteen Nashville Neighborhoods,” that sought to give local real estate agents a better sense of typical homes in different areas of the city; and
WHEREAS, Jan devoted her professional life to working on behalf of the people of Tennessee, especially its children. In 1986, Jan successfully ran for and won a seat in the 95th Tennessee State General Assembly. She served as Representative for District 56 for two years. She worked for many years as the director of school-based services for the Tennessee Department of Education. In that role, she led efforts to expand pre-school and pre-K access for all Tennessee children; and
WHEREAS, one of Jan’s greatest contributions to the Hillsboro West End Neighborhood was her unwavering volunteer work on behalf of the magnificent sea serpent sculpture in Fannie Mae Dees Park, now affectionately known as “Dragon Park.” During its installation in 1980, she worked hand-in-hand with mosaicist Pedro Silva to design and build the iconic structure. Thirty-six years later, when it fell into disrepair and was threatened with being razed, Jan spearheaded the neighborhood association’s Save Our Dragon project and was instrumental in raising funds. And once again, she worked tirelessly to re-create and restore mosaic designs. Jan went to the park daily, sat on the ground next to the dragon, and worked at the direction of lead restoration craftsman Tony Novak. By night, she laid out designs of tiny tile pieces on her dining room table. Her donation of time, artistic skill, and enthusiasm contributed mightily to the successful restoration of this beloved neighborhood treasure; and
WHEREAS, well into her mid-seventies, Jan continued to lend her wealth of experience and thoughtful voice to the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association board, on which she served continuously from 1975 until her passing; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council finds it is fitting to honor Jan Bushing’s many contributions to Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood and the city of Nashville, by requesting that the State of Tennessee authorize the naming the Woodlawn bridge located one block from the home where Jan based her civic work.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council requests that the State of Tennessee authorize the naming of the Woodlawn Avenue bridge over Interstate 440 as the “Jan Bushing Bridge.”
Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this resolution to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the General Assembly to formally request inclusion in the Omnibus road renaming bill to be filed in Spring of 2026.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.