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A resolution recognizing the importance of access to the Cumberland River for Nashville residents, small businesses, and visitors.
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WHEREAS, the Cumberland River has always been an important asset to Nashville and Davidson County as a source for water, transportation, resource, natural beauty, hydrological performance, as well as for commercial, industrial, and recreational purposes; and
WHEREAS, Fort Nashborough, the predecessor to the City of Nashville, was founded on the banks of the Cumberland River in 1780; and
WHEREAS, the Cumberland River has also been a historically critical part of how downtown has developed over time. The city wharf was located on the western side of the Cumberland River and the street now known as First Avenue was known as “Water Street”, evidencing the importance of the river to Nashville’s development; and
WHEREAS, the Cumberland River is a municipal waterway, which is a public asset for all of Nashville and should be accessible by all Nashvillians; and
WHEREAS, a municipal waterway like the Cumberland River can also be used as transit, both public and private; and
WHEREAS, over time, many plans for the use of the Cumberland River have been started but have not come to fruition. In 2006, the Metropolitan Department of Parks and Recreation released the Riverfront Park Plan but this plan was never adopted; and
WHEREAS, today, the Cumberland River is difficult to access and underutilized by the public from the Downtown Riverfront; and
WHEREAS, on October 6, 2022, the Planning Commission adopted the Imagine East Bank Vision Plan which highlights the Cumberland River as Nashville’s most significant natural resource, sets a goal of improving river access, connecting the riverfront, providing a great riverfront park, and activating the river, and seeks to optimize stormwater management and riparian management; and
WHEREAS, during the East Bank planning process, community feedback noted that the east bank of the Cumberland River is inaccessible and often invisible due to difficulty in wayfinding to the river and that the river does not feel open and welcoming to the public; and
WHEREAS, this feedback demonstrates the public is interested in waterfront programming on the Cumberland River, including boat and kayak launches, a marina, boat slips, and other boating amenities that are not currently adequate to support the demand for recreational boating; and
WHEREAS, in addition, resources should be committed to undertake a waterfront investment and management plan to identify the scope of users on the river and financial opportunities available, a market analysis to understand the demand for boating, docks, marina, and other amenities in Nashville, and a market analysis of potential future river activity and its interaction with the working river, and understand the scope of capital investments needed to meet the demand for boating facilities on Cumberland River; and
WHEREAS, the Cumberland River is a public asset that should be available for enjoyment by all Nashvillians and access and usage should be preserved and enhanced throughout construction on the East Bank, Riverfront Park, and across the rest of the Cumberland River.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council goes on record as recognizing the importance of access to the Cumberland River for Nashville residents, small businesses, and visitors and committing that access to the Cumberland River for Nashville residents, small businesses, and visitors is a priority for the Council. Access to the Cumberland River will remain a focus of the Council in future planning and execution downtown and across Davidson County.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.