NDOT puts Music Row paid-parking changes on hold; commission to get update

At its meeting, the Traffic & Parking Commission heard from Emmanuel Matias of the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) that proposed paid-parking changes on Music Row are "on pause" while staff works on a solution to community concerns. The pause affects both the introduction of new paid spaces and planned adjustments that would convert existing spaces to an "economy" zone, Matias said.

Vice Chair asked whether signage installation and the zone changes would occur simultaneously. Matias said NDOT had planned to install the new signs and change existing ones at the same time but can install some signs earlier if the commission prefers. "So currently, it's not being done. It's on hold along with the introduction of paid parking to the other areas," Matias said.

During a back-and-forth about how many parking spaces would be affected, Matias provided several different figures in the meeting transcript. He initially stated "new ones are 207," later said "it should be around 80 spaces or so for the previous ones," and also referenced "275 for the old zone, 209 for the new one." NDOT told commissioners it is working with constituents and hopes to propose a solution "before the end of the year" or by January; Matias suggested returning to the commission with an update at the next meeting and said whether a permit or other approvals are required would determine whether NDOT must bring a formal item for commission approval.

The pause follows constituent letters opposing the Music Row plan; the vice chair asked for clarification after those letters were circulated. Commissioners did not take a formal vote on the Music Row plan at this meeting. NDOT committed to provide a status update to the commission at its next meeting.