[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6108854,"mediaKeyId","2766106-3986b4084272fa6c19bc690a7bdf0fa5","parentId",2766106,"title","Nashville MSD board endorses exploring more trash cans, planters and small beautification projects for downtown","audioSeconds",1532,"startMs",2868000,"endMs",4400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766106-3986b4084272fa6c19bc690a7bdf0fa5&start=2868&end=4400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766106-3986b4084272fa6c19bc690a7bdf0fa5/thumbnail_2868000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108854/North-Carolina/Nashville-MSD-board-endorses-exploring-more-trash-cans-planters-and-small-beautification-projects-for-downtown","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108854-ef0234b042ee31c6f33345288ce670c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775627458&Signature=WI28E4ZxeIfZ1M155wZgpc3GsT~UfRhcXlERuBOoj7CQ~b4yQAzv9uXbSl5wZlSBrtVjI-1E3SmWDP101piQfUBAWk~zIQFC06FTP0JLfu0kQgG0SkXppYG5OS-di73xwKNiuBySCmG2EYmeL3jeS9oz9cZzpf~1G~gDEDB3UTKu4BBJQrjw-mziLDX~XBWhI4fc5FmQCjbwDhygL83lVcaEzvy48Gntbzg16HkU3x3RCXRYpBCeNmG7d9H54LoXn0y-4A9QWYpPufkIR5nZqstzoBUod0DfODjoFq~JtaI8w-nOr3-sbzNSsOMuYMIiB~WIUrzDicxgD8~7wbkBMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Nashville, North Carolina","date","2025-03-25T15:32:53Z","article","Board members and downtown business owners spent the bulk of the April 28 meeting discussing ideas to increase downtown foot traffic and improve streetscape appearance. Presenters summarized takeaways from a recent Main Street conference and gave examples of low-cost, short-term projects the MSD could pursue alongside longer-term sidewalk and infrastructure work.

Key decisions and proposals: The board approved a motion to explore strategically locating additional trash cans across the MSD area and to evaluate options for planters and park benches. Members discussed seasonal flowers, coordinated small retail events, a downtown social-media presence, and marketing ideas such as a monthly business spotlight and walkability/mileage markers. The board asked staff to gather pricing and examples for trash cans, benches and planters and to return with recommendations.

Quotes and context: Local business owner Bethany described her downtown women's clothing store and said the businesses already contribute to community needs: “We donated a lot of them to [Nash Community College] … to help graduates with first-interview clothing,” Bethany said, describing in-kind support local retailers provide. Board member Slade, who offered to survey sidewalk safety locations, said he had compiled photographs, an interactive map and an inventory of problematic sidewalk segments and offered that material as a resource to the board.

Several board members pressed for a mix of short-term, visible improvements and longer-term infrastructure fixes. One board member summarized the simple principle driving the trash-can motion: \"If your trash cans are overflowing, that means you don't have enough trash cans.\" Members suggested the MSD could consider aesthetic coverings or wrap-around seasonal designs, enlist local schools or artists to paint cans, and coordinate with downtown businesses to sponsor fixtures.

Some participants urged caution about proposals that could appear to favor particular businesses or property owners. A suggestion to dismantle the MSD structure and spend funds on large beautification projects drew mixed reaction; other conference attendees reported successful MSD districts that use focused taxes and cooperative planning to finance improvements. The group did not vote to dissolve the MSD.

The board directed staff to:
- Gather pricing and product examples for trash cans, park benches and planters; include options that are low maintenance and can be refreshed seasonally.
- Identify priority locations for additional trash cans and benches (board members Slade and Brian volunteered to suggest locations).
- Return with cost estimates and a proposed list of five items the board could fund in the short term.

Ending: The board agreed to follow up on low-cost beautification steps (trash cans, planters, benches, event promotion and social-media outreach) while maintaining sidewalk repair and ADA compliance as a longer-term planning and budget priority. Staff will report back with pricing and suggested priority locations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Nashville Downtown Nashville Strong Advisory Board Meeting 3/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","Board members reviewed ideas from a recent Main Street conference and approved a motion to explore strategically locating additional trash cans across the MSD, while discussing planters, park benches, seasonal flowers, walkability and social-media promotion for downtown businesses.","taxTitle","Town of Nashville, Nash County, North Carolina","taxId",57590,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108859,"Nashville MSD board asks town staff to draft ECU intern job description for downtown work",1018,1339000,2357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766106-3986b4084272fa6c19bc690a7bdf0fa5&start=1339&end=2357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766106-3986b4084272fa6c19bc690a7bdf0fa5/thumbnail_1339000.jpg","/articles/6108859/North-Carolina/Nashville-MSD-board-asks-town-staff-to-draft-ECU-intern-job-description-for-downtown-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108859-9755ae92e63d92d396c3910b0c9caabf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775627458&Signature=ZbPrifzJe-h~lHQEMaqEmaJwVYPYG-57RO2LDhVSoAgp-Smu0GfvCsnJ3MOxq2gKmMyLGeub~Xvb1naEXA~U86ux8DFuGDDtQijL0KZpRzjfKvR1Umg03x5pOXhK-8zsu28RRFzI4XHk4k9FOhtOQfDAxeQ0d80q4ebKZdIr-aSfgRoFUi6LNV7JSJN1jkc4S8~QehL~7--9PKFdn-kiq4hxmlq9Q-vleXvsAEVzAATiCo45Ctw5TM9QgYhvc6BbbADr4Pi1jZykAuhYfrnvkV8BARmXc3qx74YYej1KnX~sNyO75ZvXtWrJ4iluBlW3rv4Jv8ps2yg668UvihGEDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 28, 2025 meeting, the Main Street/Municipal Service District (MSD) board in the Town of Nashville voted 4-2 to ask town staff to draft a job description for a proposed East Carolina University (ECU) internship focused on MSD work and grant-seeking.

The board’s motion instructs town staff to prepare a position description that the MSD board will review before any further decision about hosting an ECU intern or seeking council approval. Board members emphasized that approval of a job description is a first step; any hiring or formal commitment would return to the board and, if appropriate, to the town council.

Why it matters: Board members said the town lacks a dedicated person to pursue grants, coordinate downtown projects and move existing plans toward implementation. Supporters argued a 300-hour internship could provide focused effort to start or advance projects and could “pay for itself” if an intern secures grant funding. Opponents said MSD funds had been spent on other plans in the past with limited results and cautioned against committing MSD resources without clearer guarantees.

Town staff member Sean told the board that ECU interns are often used to advance multi-stage projects and that a single 300-hour placement can lay groundwork that future interns or staffers build on. \"If they come in, they get one $10,000 grant, they pay for themselves and then some,\" Sean said, describing how grants secured by an intern could offset cost. He also said the town could instead host an intern on town-wide projects; to ensure the intern focused on MSD priorities, the job description would need to specify MSD-focused duties.

Parks Director Coy told the board he supports an intern but opposed splitting 300 hours across multiple departments because that would limit the intern’s impact. HR Director Tracy (mentioned by board members) was cited as the town officer who would cooperate on job description and hiring mechanics if the board asked the town to proceed.

Several board members urged a cautious approach. Board member Amy and another member identified as Salit voted against moving forward with drafting a job description, arguing MSD funds and prior plans had not yielded sufficient results and that the MSD should not be the primary funder of an experimental position. Other board members said the MSD lacks anyone currently dedicated to downtown work and that a focused internship could provide useful short-term deliverables (grant searches, outreach, small studies, promotion plans) and create a basis for future funding or staffing.

The board’s motion passed by a recorded voice/hand vote, 4 in favor and 2 opposed. The motion does not authorize hiring or funding; rather, it directs town staff to prepare a draft job description and return it to the MSD board for consideration and a separate vote before any request is advanced to town council.

Board members discussed alternatives such as contracting with professional grant writers or subscribing to grant-notification services through regional councils of governments; those options will remain on the table as the town and MSD evaluate next steps.

Ending: Town staff said they will prepare a draft job description and circulate it to board members; the board will vote again on whether to forward a recommendation to the town council after reviewing that draft.","At its April 28 meeting the Main Street/Municipal Service District (MSD) board voted 4-2 to request that town staff prepare a job description for a proposed East Carolina University internship to support downtown projects and grant-seeking.","actionData","errors"]

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Nashville MSD board endorses exploring more trash cans, planters and small beautification projects for downtown

Nashville MSD board asks town staff to draft ECU intern job description for downtown work