John Cooper’s Mayoral Candidate response to The Plan of Nashville’s 10 Principles
NCDC asked Nashville’s mayoral candidates to provide their ideas for each of The Plan of Nashville’s 10 principles, that are essential to guide public policy, development practice, urban planning, and civic design. Candidate responses appear in the order they were received by NCDC.
Principle 1: Respect Nashville's Natural and Built Environment
Question:
In regards to Nashville's natural and built environment, how do you plan on respecting and preserving what makes Nashville unique?
“As a council member, I am proud to stand by my record of supporting access to green space and preserving Nashville's unique assets. In addition to fighting to preserve park land at Fort Negley Park and Church Street Park, I sponsored legislation (BL2019-1636) for a Metro Council review process for all specific plan rezoning exemption requests that involve properties listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.”
Principle 2: Treat the Cumberland River as central to Nashville's Identity--an asset to be Treasured and Enjoyed.
Question:
Waterways, particularly the Cumberland river, are essential to Nashville's identity. What are your plans to protect and enhance Nashville's waterways and ensure they are able to be enjoyed?
“I support adding more access points to the river to encourage recreational use of what is at this point largely an industrial waterway. We also need to make significant investments in our sewer system to keep pollutants from making their way into our streams and rivers.”
Principle 3: Reestablish the Streets as the Principal Public Space of Community and Connectivity.
Question:
How do you view Nashville's street design, and how will you work to promote our streets as places of community and connectivity?
“We need to implement complete streets that include sidewalks, bikeways and public transportation. Sidewalks make walking safer and they encourage people to get out, exercise, and know their neighborhoods. Yet Metro hasn't kept pace with the need for sidewalks. Metro has 1,900 miles of streets without sidewalks, and the WalkNBike plan identified 91 miles of high priority streets. Yet Metro has built only 6.2 miles of new sidewalks since 2016. Improving our sidewalk network is part of making beautiful and functional avenues for vehicle and pedestrian travel that will improve quality of life for residents.”
Principle 4: Develop a Convenient and Efficient Transportation Infrastructure.
Question:
Nashville has, and is continuing to, grow rapidly. Do you plan to develop a transportation plan that improves the lives of all Nashvillians? Please explain.
“Yes. I believe that Nashvillians are ready to address this problem. Doubters will say that it isn't possible to come up with a transportation plan in a year. But we aren't starting from scratch. There were good elements in last year's plan and we largely know what needs to be done. The outline of a cost-effective transit plan is already visible in proposals such as the Nashville Community Transportation Platform. I was the first candidate for mayor to endorse it. I have too much optimism in Nashville to believe that we need another four or five years to come up with a comprehensive transportation plan.”
Principle 5: Provide for a Comprehensive, Interconnected Green Way and Park System.
Question:
Our parks and greenways provide places to play, but also to connect with those around us. How will you provide for a comprehensive and interconnected park and greenway system?
“Given the environmental, health, and economic benefits of parks, we should view parks as part of the solution to issues facing our city. Our linear parks, trails, and greenways can connect our green space and public spaces. The existing network needs to be maintained and expanded. I will focus on expanding Nashville's greenway system and the sidewalks and bikeways that connect our neighborhoods to the greenways in order to provide better and broader access to recreation and to encourage alternative transportation. Parks positively inform the character of our neighborhoods, and provide the opportunity for all to gather in shared public space. I will commit to a goal of raising the percentage of Nashvillians who live within a 10-minute walk of a park from 37 to 50 percent. Creating more pocket parks would be one way to accomplish this goal.”
Principle 6: Develop an Economically Viable Downtown District as the Heart of the Region.
Question:
As mayor, can you share more about your plans to ensure an economically viable downtown?
“An economically viable downtown district is, of course, vital for Nashville. We have a thriving downtown and we want that to continue. That said, we need to invest in all of our neighborhoods and bring the benefits of growth out into the county. I think it is important that we protect the unique character of downtown Nashville -- and all of our neighborhoods -- while adding to our diverse portfolio of residential and family entertainment options.”
Principle 7: Integrate Public Art into the design of the City, its Buildings, Public Works and Parks
Question:
Nashville has made great strides towards integrating more public art throughout the city. How will you work to grow this effort and support public art into Nashville's design?
“Metro's Public Art Collection is an impressive and valuable part of our community. As with green space, I think we should expect private developments to incorporate public art into their projects. As mayor, I will continue the practice of setting aside 1% of certain capital improvement project funds for public art. Partnering with Metro Schools is also an exciting possibility for encouraging youth participation in the arts and supporting the development of young, local artists.”
Principle 8: Raise the quality of the Public Realm with Civic Structures and Spaces.
Question:
Public spaces give cities meaning, and should be spaces where people are welcomed and celebrated. How will you raise the quality of our public spaces and civic structures?
“I believe that Metro needs a stronger partnership with the Civic Design Center. Your group was vital in reimagining Church Street Park as an improved park, not a luxury tower. I also support creating the position of Chief Architect at Metro, to better oversee and coordinate planning and design of public spaces and buildings.”
Principle 9: Strengthen the Unique Identity of Neighborhoods.
Question:
For many people, their neighborhoods have a significant emotional connection with their identity and sense of belonging. If elected, how would you strengthen and protect the unique identities of Nashville Neighborhoods?
“I am running to be a neighborhoods mayor. People may move here for the city, but they'll stay for the neighborhoods. My job as your mayor will be to ensure that everyone benefits from our city's growth. Nashville needs to remain a great place to live, not just a great city to visit. It's time to put our focus back on our neighborhoods. We need to invest in pocket parks, community centers, sidewalks, stormwater infrastructure, greenways, and traffic calming. We also should enhance the services of the Office of Neighborhoods, increase Codes enforcement, and facilitate greater neighborhood participation in the planning and rezoning process.”
Principle 10: Infuse Visual Order into the City by Strengthening Sightlines to and from Civic Landmarks and Natural Features.
Question:
How will you work to promote visual order throughout Nashville's design, and highlight civic landmarks across the city?
“I'll promote visual order throughout Nashville's design and highlight civic landmarks by valuing planning and architecture. Metro should have a Chief Architect to help with these matters. I believe that this is one of the benefits of my background in real estate development. One example of how I've valued visual order while on Council: on the Fifth & Broadway development, I unsuccessfully advocated for a courtyard vista across from the Ryman, to honor the importance of that landmark. I also successfully advocated (along with the Minority Caucus) for a Broadway entrance for the NMAAM.”