2023 Mayoral Candidate:
Natisha Brooks

1. What is your vision for multimodal transportation and mobility, including public transit in Nashville?

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Various new transit options are a definite must in the "present" - near future. As Mayor of Nashville, working collaboratively with the State, Private Investors, and a fully functional Grant Committee/Department would be the direction taken to fund transit like light rail, rapid bus lines, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes. Vision - to see light rail and Rapid Bus Lines coming from Rutherford(Murfreesboro), Northern Maury County)Spring Hill, Thompson Station(Williamson) 840 Corridor East and (Wilson County)- Mt. Juliet Area. Many are opting for riding bicycles to stay in shape to travel to and from work. Therefore - Vision - To see bicycle lanes from response surveyed heavily populated areas that have a need for alternate transportation. Side Walks - Vision - Sidewalks not just in the downtown Nashville, Gulch Area - but sidewalks in North Nashville, Needed areas of South Nashville, North, and Bordeaux. Not An Option - increasing taxes on citizens unless the "Voters" are for a tax increase to fund new transit projects for Nashville(Davidson) County.

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2. What is your plan for multimodal transportation and mobility improvements, including public transit, in the first 100 days of your administration?

 

The First 100 Day Plan - Meet With Potential Private Investors, State Legislators/ The Governor - Present a budget plan from three different company bids.

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3. What is your strategy or approach for funding the multimodal transportation, mobility, and public transit infrastructure in your vision above?

 

Strategy - to form a Grant Department within the office of Mayor - Private Investors - Ask for funding from State Legislators. Finally, monies from the Titan Stadium passed deal from the Counsel of Davidson County. Revisit how much is given from to the increase sales tax from hospitality to the Titan Stadium and split to go towards the transit project.

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4. How will you work with community organizations, advocates, and neighborhoods to shape and build support for your vision?

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Town Hall Meetings within each neighborhood/ community association a MUST to receive input on concerns provides great communication and trust with the Mayor's Office. One specific organization that the Mayor's Office will have communication with is the "Neighbor 2 Neighbor" Organization. This organization has great input from citizens all over Davidson County.

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5. When making transportation decisions, how will you balance the needs of our diverse neighborhoods and people, respecting context, history, and identity? 

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The Mayor's office will do and receive communication surveys from ALL areas - do town hall meetings, meet with District Councilmen/Councilwomen to ensure there is no overlook on what is important to the citizens of the respected areas.

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6. Given Nashville’s history of inequitable transportation investment, how will you keep these investments equitable?

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We will establish long lasting private sector partnerships and continue to seek grants regarding transportation for Nashville.

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7. Rank the following:

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1. Transit Priority Corridors - Bus Only Lanes, Bus Rapid Transit, Light Rail, etc on identified corridors like Murfreesboro Pike

2. Regional transit solutions - WeGo Star (commuter rail), other regional commuter/express bus options

3. Higher Frequency Bus Routes - bus arrives every 5-10 minutes

4. Hours of Bus Service - longer hours up to 24/7 service

5. Neighborhood Mobility Hubs - decentralize the transit system by adding more transit/mobility hubs around the city (i.e., Hillsboro & North Nashville Transit Centers)

6. Crosstown Routes - support existing crosstown routes and add more where it makes sense to increase one-seat rides

7. Park and Rides - permanent, safe parking for those riding the bus into downtown

8. Transit Oriented Development, TIFs, etc.

9. Traffic Signalization - coordination of traffic signals to manage the speed of vehicles and efficiency of through traffic

10. Traffic Enforcement - focused on speeding and reckless driving

11. Traffic Calming - speed humps, bulb-outs, trees, roundabouts, etc.

12. Protected Bike Lanes - (Mobility Lanes)

13. Pedestrian Infrastructure - Sidewalks, crosswalks, HAWK signals, lighting

14. Greenways

 

8. Explain your rankings (optional).

 

Rankings - having Light rails and 24 hour bus service is necessary in a now "IT" City that is on the go almost 24/7 with business corporations and industries moving to the metropolitan. With inflation, many people are choosing to park their cars and use public transportation to save on gas. Others are simply doing away with the "car note" and need reliable, affordable transportation to get to 2nd and 3rd shift jobs. Many that decide to live in the inner urban area feel walking and biking is their best way of mobility rather than moving their vehicles a mile or two to "eat out" or find entertainment within the city.