Porter Crossings Public Space

November 2020

New Public Space! This installation will be monitored by sounding community members to see how it is working. TURBO hopes this will energize community members around this parklet and encourage the advancement of this public space to a more permeant design. This project was made possible by a placemaking grant from Greater Nashville REALTORS as well coordination from WeGo Public Transit, Metro Public Works and plants provided by Gardens of Babylon.

This will be home to the new Porter Crossing #4 inbound bus stop. It consists of planters, cafe seating, and a ground mural. This installation was designed to calm traffic passing by on Porter Rd. The planters near the travel lane narrow the road way so that vehicle slow down when passing this installation. This refuge also shortens the crossing distance for pedestrians moving back and forth to the businesses in the area.

Volunteers installing the parklet:

Final Installation:

Project Partners:

October 2020

As the Porter Rd Bikeway Project was completed in 2019, there was space allotted to accommodate the WeGo #4 Bus at Porter Crossings Business District. The Porter Rd Bikeway Project created a bulb-out at the corner of Porter Rd and Greenwood Ave that would make the inbound stop more accessible and safer for Pedestrians and Bus riders.

When the Bikeway project was in the planning phases, it was conceived that the bulb-out space could be used for community assets as well as a bus stop. When it became time for WeGo to move this stop they approached TURBO to help think about a temporary activation that could involve neighbors to vision the potential of this space.

Community Survey

TURBO received a total of 69 responses from community members who attended the Rosebank and Eastwood neighborhood meetings. The bus stop is located in the Eastwood neighborhood and the Rosebank neighborhood is adjacent. Of the responses received, 75% of respondents live in East Nashville zip code 37206. 30% of respondents own, manage, or are employed by a business in 37206. 29% of respondents live with children under the age of 18 in their household.

Overall, 78% of respondents had no concerns regarding the proposed project, and 72% of those with no concerns were actively enthusiastic about the proposed project.

overall: 78% had no concerns | 57% actively enthusiastic

Safety Elements: Traffic Calming

TURBO presented the ideas for improving the experimental boarding island by adding a traffic calming element. Research shows that objects like planters and human activity in the right-of-way catches drivers attention and slows them down. 84% of respondents were interested in traffic calming. 13% of respondents were worried that people will be injured as a result of the proposed project.

“It would force me to be more mindful of the area and drive slower. I'll admit, I tend to fly down Porter, but if there are people seated out there, I'm obviously going to drive slower and be more careful.” -Carver, 37206 Resident

Aesthetic Elements: Public Art & Landscaping

To contribute to placemaking, a ground mural was proposed for this temporary installation. Planters in the project would also be a placemaking feature as well as a traffic calming element. 28% of respondents were actively enthusiastic about the aesthetic elements of the space. 4% of respondents were worried the space wouldn’t be cleaned regularly and would detract from the aesthetic.

“As a cyclist I would feel more secure. In general, I think the overall aesthetic would benefit my overall mood.” -Andy, 37206 Resident

Comfort Elements: Public Seating

Too few of the bus stops in Nashville do not have a place to rest while waiting for the bus to arrive. This proposed design would include moveable seating for those waiting for the bus as well as those just passing by. 52% of respondents were interested in a seating element. 3% of respondents were worried about public safety due to loitering.

“It would create a more pleasant atmosphere in an area with lots of pedestrians, and would hopefully increase safety for pedestrians, making me more likely to walk there from my home.” -Erin, 37206 Resident & Business Owner

Future Suggestions

While the vision for the project was created for a temporary and experimental bus boarding island, all the feedback from the community is vital. Below we refer to the concerns of the residents as well as suggestions to change the design if it becomes more permanent down the line.

“My concern is safety of people sitting even though it is designed to slow traffic. People speed through this already over crowded intersection every day without stopping or paying attention. I am very curious if it would work to slow them down.” -Christie, 37206 Business Owner

“Rather than single planters, I think it would make more sense to put down a slightly larger barrier to ensure the safety of those seated.” -Thomas

The Proposal

September 2020

The space was originally planned to be a bus stop boarding island similar to that of 10th Ave South, this design was based on WeGo’s Transit Design Guidelines. However, financial situations with WeGo and Public Works did not afford the permeant design. This presented an opportunity for a temporary installation to begin to inform how a bus stop could incorporate community placemaking assets such as art, seating, and and safety.

The TURBO proposal suggested using traffic calming measures such as planters to narrow vehicle lanes and protect the new pedestrian space. It suggests cafe style seating as well as a temporary ground mural that was designed by Tim Delger who has created much of the art that is associated with WeGo’s updated look.

Artist Statement

“Public transit connects us to our city, and invites us to connect with our community, our neighbors, and even ourselves. In the space between “here” and “there” we have a moment to rest, reflect, and reset. On the bus, we can read a book, meet a new friend, or just allow our mind to wander. This mural celebrates the freedom of that journey.”

- Tim Delger