ANNUAL REPORT FY 2014-2015
THINK • DESIGN • CREATE • SUSTAIN
OUR MISSION The Nashville Civic Design Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to elevate the quality of Nashville’s built environment and to promote public participation in the creation of a more beautiful and functional city for all.” NCDC’s work touches all aspects of the built environment: design and development of neighborhoods, transportation, walkability and pedestrian safety, food access, housing, and open space and parks. The organization’s work considers how all these aspects weave together to create truly successful communities.
LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Nashville Civic Design Center is pleased to present an overview of our organization’s activities, presentations, publications and financial vitality for the 2015 fiscal year (July 1, 2014-June 30th 2015). NCDC’s mission is to elevate the quality of Nashville’s built environment and promote public participation in the creation of a more beautiful and functional city for all. Our work touches all aspects of the built environment: sustainable neighborhood development; a multimodal transportation system; a safe, efficient and pleasant pedestrian environment; healthy food access; diverse and affordable housing options; public parks and open space. This past year marked an exciting time of growth for NCDC. We celebrated the tenth anniversary of the unveiling of The Plan of Nashville: Avenues to a Great City. Our November luncheon, with the generous support of 55 sponsors, was the most well attended (over 500) and financially successful renewal of this annual event to date, raising over $125,000 to support NCDC’s ongoing endeavors. Over the past fourteen years, since its founding in 2000, NCDC has enabled the community to shape a collective vision, and develop strategies to turn vision into reality through our focus on design excellence in service of livability and quality of life. We deeply appreciate your consistent support, and will continue to ensure Nashville’s forward momentum.
Gary Gaston Executive Director, Nashville Civic Design Center Lecturer, University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design
2014 ACHEIVEMENTS • NCDC partners with Urban Land Institute (ULI) Nashville to host a halfday program entitled “Shaping Healthy Communities – Building Healthy Places.” This half day event was held at the Music City Center and had 180 attendees. The program was funded by a national ULI Urban Innovation Grant, and featured a design charrette that used the Charlotte Pike Corridor as a case study. Eight sites were analyzed along a portion of the Pike, from Downtown Nashville to the Davidson County line, to determine how design interventions can help create healthier communities. • NCDC releases Seeding Spaces: Inspiring Growth of Urban Agriculture in Nashville, TN. The report documents existing urban agriculture projects, evaluates the benefits and challenges in building our local food system, and explores policy recommendations for expanding urban agriculture in Nashville. • NCDC releases Reclaiming Public Space: Bankers Alley, to address pedestrian connectivity between the riverfront, second ave, Printer’s Alley, the Arcade and Fifth Avenue of the Arts. This project is a continuation of our Reclaiming Public Space series, and will hopefully help guide improvements to this potentially vibrant new pedestrian connection. • NCDC hosts its third annual PARK(ing) Day, an international event that showcases the numerous ways that even tiny public spaces can have an impact on creating vibrant street life. 2014’s event featured 35 on-street parking spaces turned parks in Downtown Nashville. • At NCDC’s Golden Cone Awards (honoring PARK(ing) Day participants) Mayor Dean announces a pilot city-wide parklet program that would allow on-street parking spaces to be converted to parks through a permitting process with the Metro Public Works Department.
• NCDC releases Access and Livability: Retrofitting Antioch. The report incorporates UTK CAD student design proposals that respond to the Antioch community’s intense growth, and envisions increased mass transit, office, retail and residential uses that allow the area to function as a complete community. • UTK CAD’s fourth year of the Summer Studio releases Concepts for a Centennial Park Visitor Center. The publication included a summary of the Centennial Park Master Plan, precedents used for inspiration, a brief bio of the students, their design process, and their final work. • 2014 marks the Tenth Anniversary of NCDC’s unveiling of The Plan of Nashville: Avenues to a Great City. The 2014 Luncheon was also the Design Center’s largest to date – with 55 sponsors, over 500 attendees and raising over $125,000. Alex Krieger, Principal at NBBJ and professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design was the event’s keynote speaker
COMMUNITY PARTNER:
“
We had an ambitious dream: to turn a car repair business on Nolensville Pike into a public park and neighborhood asset. Thanks to the assistance of the Nashville Civic Design Center, our ideas became a beautiful vision. NCDC staff helped us dream even bigger possibilities and inspire the support of important partners for this public-private venture. And now, where once only a parking lot sat, a new public space is sprouting!
RENATA SOTO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONEXIÓN AMÉRICAS
”
PROJECTS & PROGRAMS Shaping the Healthy Community: The Nashville Plan Shaping the Healthy Community is a longterm project by the NCDC focusing on the relationship between the built environment and public health. Six built environment “factors” are explored in detail, including: housing, transportation, open space and parks, food resources, walkability, and neighborhood design/ development, throughout a variety of community types. A book by the same name will be published by Vanderbilt University Press in 2016. The transect forms the basic armature of Shaping the Healthy Community: The Nashville Plan. This is in part because the transect recognizes distinct forms of settlement patterns. And inducing healthier behavior requires tailoring strategies to the specifics of each context in order for them to be effective. What applies to downtown would not work in a rural setting.
PRIVATE PARTNER
“ Natural
Rural
Suburban
Urban
Center
Downtown District
It is important to our growing region to have an organization like NCDC to educate, facilitate and shape our communities toward great designs, urban planning and healthy environments, for future generations. That is why we at ESa are committed to supporting NCDC!
RONALD M. LUSTIG, AIA PRINCIPAL, EARL SWENSSON ASSOCIATES
”
Research The NCDC: Promotes the Ten Principles of The Plan of Nashville; Educates the public about civic design through: lectures by prominent speakers; presentations on the history and practice of urban design; and continuing education opportunities for design and development professionals; Provides professional staff and highly qualified design interns to consult on civic and other community development projects; Facilitates public dialogue about civic design and its impact in Nashville; Researches and publishes reports on various civic design issues.
“
DESIGN FELLOW As the NCDC’s first design fellow, I learned how to work with constituents in a variety of settings, from public forums to task force groups to individuals. My perspective of the city is now richer and more nuanced because of my fellowship with the Civic Design Center. MELISSA ALEXANDER DESIGN FELLOW 2009-2010 URBAN DESIGNER/ARCHITECT AT NBBJ
”
University of Tennessee Knoxville Design Studios The Nashville Civic Design Center (NCDC) maintains a strong partnership with the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Architecture and Design (UTK CoAD). Through this partnership, NCDC coordinates various studies throughout the year that allow architecture students to study potential “real world” projects in Nashville. As a part of this collaborative effort, NCDC partners with UTK CoAD professor TK Davis to create many conceptual projects for Nashville.
UT PARTNER
“
The partnership between NCDC and the University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design has yielded numerous design proposals that address the most pressing issues and opportunities confronting the Nashville community and its vision for the future. These efforts, the culmination of nearly 4,200 student hours each semester, have directly influenced Metro Nashville’s development and have since gained national recognition in publications and awards for excellence in service-learning.
THOMAS K. DAVIS, FAIA PROFESSOR, UT COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
”
Park(ing) Day Each year NCDC organizes PARK(ing) Day, a global event where multiple parking spaces are transformed into parks and seating areas for one day, in over 200 cities. PARK(ing) Day Nashville 2014 grew to over 30 spaces in downtown Nashville. The creative recreational and aesthetic installations on display show how even the smallest of public spaces can have an incredible impact. The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat. During PARK(ing) Day’s awards ceremony, The Golden Cone Awards, Mayor Karl Dean announced a new parklet permit program to allow on-street parking spaces to be converted to parks.
INTERN
“
During my internship with the NCDC I learned how to think about the community and others in relation to my ideas and designs in a more effective way.
”
SHANESE BROWN NCDC SUMMER INTERN 2015 UT COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN, 2ND YEAR STUDENT
Reclaiming Public Space Reclaiming Public Space is an initiative by the NCDC to elevate the quality and expand the diversity of public spaces in Nashville. The best public spaces foster community, elevate quality of life, and connect us to our city and, more importantly, to each other. With Reclaiming Public Space, Nashville citizens and local leaders now have a tool to guide them in a new wave of civic investment that is of and belonging to the people.
COMMUNITY PARTNER
“
As Room In The Inn developed plans to expand our downtown facility for our neighbors struggling with homelessness, we were grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Nashville Civic Design Center. We had the opportunity to dream together with people who believe that good urban design is important for everyone in our community. Our friends at the NCDC share our vision of creating a city where people, regardless of socioeconomic status, have the opportunity to live, work, and play in an environment that pays tribute to our common humanity.
RACHEL HESTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ROOM IN THE INN
�
Urban Design Forum NCDC’s Urban Design Forum was founded in 1995, and meets monthly to discuss how DESIGN impacts Nashville. The Forum features innovative projects, informative speakers, lively discussions and beverages courtesy of Yazoo Brewing Co.
METRO PARTNER
“
As an independent agency, the NCDC is essential in providing the urban design vision for Nashville through its research, education and community engagement. The Design Center is a critical partner in ensuring that as Nashville evolves, it will be done in a sustainable and livable manner through the use and application of the best community building practices.
RICK BERNHARDT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, (RETIRED) METRO PLANNING DEPARTMENT
”
Young Urbanists NCDC’s Young Urbanists’ group is geared towards young professionals from all backgrounds that have a passion and curiosity about urban design and civic spaces. Successes from other cities around the nation have exemplified how creating pedestrian-friendly places improves our quality of life. Activities include PARK(ing) Day, building tours and tactical urbanism installations (turbonashville.com).
INTERN
“
My internship with NCDC offered me a real feel for what it takes to make sure that a city is designed with intelligence. I understood what makes a smart, beautiful city and how designers can continue to make it better. I also met many great people. People that are working just like me to create great cities. I feel like these are the people I can work with the rest of my life.
MUSTAPHA WILLIAMS NCDC INTERN 2015 UT COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN, 3RD YEAR STUDENT
”
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET
DONORS
Income:
Over 50,000
Grants (Restricted) $121,240 25% Grants (Unrestricted) $110,044 22% Institutions $45,030 9% Major Donors $9,800 2% Memberships $11,665 2% Programs and Projects $8,717 2% Special Events $121,460 25% Miscellaneous $1,010 >1% In-Kind $61,450 13% Total Income: $490,417
Metropolitan Government of Nashville _and Davidson County
Metropolitan Planning Organization Steve and Judy Turner
25,000 - 49,999 Tennessee Department of Transportation UT College of Architecture + Design Vanderbilt University
10,000 - 24,999 The Brown Family
Earl Swensson Associates Scott C. Chambers Fund
Expenses:
5,000 - 9,999
Personnel General Operations Programs and Projects Contract Services Special Events Fundraising
$173,700 $94,260 $16,484 $77,623 $24,080 $14,215
43% 24% 4% 19% 6% 4%
Total Expenses: $400,362
AARP Tennessee
AIA Middle Tennessee Colliers International
National Endowment for the Arts Skanska
Village Real Estate
1,000 - 4,999 American Constructors Tara Armistead
Barge Cauthen & Associates
Net Assets: $90,055
Barge, Waggoner, Sumner, Cannon Bell and Associates Construction
Boyle Investment Co, Northwestern _Mutual
Income: >1%
Buckingham Companies C.B. Ragland Company
13%
City Development Co.
25%
9% 2%
Corner Partnership
Lipscomb University
Expenses:
25%
2% 2%
Civil Site Design Group
22%
Frist Foundation
6%
4%
19% 4%
Giarratana Nashville
Gilbert McLaughlin Casella _Architects
43%
Greenways for Nashville
Gresham, Smith and Partners Hardaway Construction
24%
Hastings Architecture Associates Hawkins Partners Clay Haynes
H G Hill Company
Hilton Nashville Downtown
101-499
Mark DeBusk
Ryan Parris
Karl Dean
Lisa Ellis
Allen G. Patton
David Koellein
Johnny Epstein
Michael Roberts
The Housing Fund
Anderson Design Studion
Matt Genova
EOA Architects
Michael Goff
Hodgson & Douglas
Jacqueline Hansom
Kiser Vogrin
Stacey Green Harden
Messer Construction
William Hastings
Commission
Angeline Henderson
R. Claybourne Petrey Jr.
Lawrence Hoke
Rymer Gallery
Katherine Hyde
Keller Williams Realty
Josh Johnson
Tennessee Concrete Association
Tracy Kane
Tolleson McCoy
Teresa Kingery
Seab Tuck
Up to 100
Harrington Law
Universal Construction Company
Kate Armstrong
Van Pond Architect
Catherine Berry
500 - 999
Mike Borgelt
Hodgson & Douglas I.C. Thomasson
J.E. Dunn Construction
Johnson Johnson Crabtree _Architects
Larry Papel
Littlejohn Engineering Associates Manuel Zeitlin Architects
MarketStreet Enterprises
Metropolitan Development & _Housing Agency
Metro Planning Department Miken Development
Nashville MTA & RTA
Nelson Mullins Riley & _Scarborough
oneC1TY Nashville Craig Phillip
David Powell
Ragan-Smith Associates Ross Bryan Associates
RPM Transportation Consultants Jeff Rymer
Smith Seckman Reid Smith Gee Studio
Southern Land Company
Third Coast Studio Design The Rymer Gallery
Thomas Miller Partners TTL
TK Davis
Cary Dunn
David Fox
Jamie Epstein
Rusty Lawrence
Dane Forlines
Allard Ward Architects
Gary Gaston
Anode
Sarah Gibson
HFR Design
Erin Graves
Holladay Properties
Nancy Hardaway
Leadership Knoxville
Penny Harrington
Metropolitan Nashville Arts
Dorothy Hazinski
The Neuhoff Complex
Alana Hibbler
Rubin Group
Brandon Hubbard
Scott Troxel
David Jacobs
Southeast Venture
Bart Johnston
The Architect Workshop
Stefanie Keel
Tuck-Hinton Architects
Kathy Anderson
Urban Land Institute
Robert Arts
Norman Carl
Keith Covington
Centric Architecture Emma
Good People Brewing Company Gobbell Hays Partners
Littlejohn Engineering Associates Paul “Bill” Lockwood
Metro Public Health Dept Urban Blueprint Yazoo Brewing
Doug Betty
Beau Brady
Chip Bratten
Stephanie Brooks
Berdelle Campbell Manuel Carranza Adams Carroll
Elizabeth Cashion
James Kyker Christian Thomas Cooper
Christopher Cotton Timothy Creel
Kaitlin Dastugue
David Kleinfelter Cliff Lippard Justin Lowe
Beverly Mansfield Carol Markum
Emil Mastandrea
Michael Andrew Maxwell Stephanie McCullough Caroline McDonald Katherine McKeel
Elizabeth McLaurin James Miller
Kate Monaghan
James Harris Moore James Moore Cindy Natsch
Michael Nelson
Vanessa Newton
Thomas O’Connell
Celeste Patterson Michael Payne Brian Pitts
Wesley Rhodes Stephen Rick
George Ritzen Ann Roberts
Mike Roberts
Justin Russell Daniel Ryan Phil Ryan
Vickie Saito
Ann Shayne Mary Slater
Colby Sledge
Peter Colby Sledge Shelby Smith
Bennett Smithhart
Leslie Speller-Henderson Frank Stabile Julia St Clair Judy Steele
Cyril Stewart
John Stewart
Alan Thompson
Phillip Tomlinson Meagan Vaughn Jan Walters
Peter Westerholm William White IV Ron Yearwood
Ayers Asset Management Cumberland Region _Tomorrow
Nash Design Lab
T.W. Frierson Contractor
Urban Housing Solutions
2014-2015 Staff
Interns
Gary Gaston, Executive Director
Vanessa Asaro
Abby Wheeler, Development Manager
Dillion Dunn
Ron Yearwood, Assistant Director
Design Fellows Eric Hoke
Janey Nachampasak
Research Fellows Matt Genova
Shanese Brown Emily Kienfelter
Kristen McDaniel Jonathan Nowlin
Susan Steffenhagen Chelsea Velaga
Mustapha Williams
Joseph Mayes Jill Robinson
Kion Sawney
2014-2015 Board of Directors Tara Armistead
Jeff Kuhnhenn
Greg Bailey
Bill Lockwood, Secretary
Owner, Tara Armistead Landscape Architect
Owner, Bailey & Company Norm Carl
Community Member Scott Chambers
Scott C. Chambers Fund Keith Covington, Treasurer
Principal, Third Coast Design Studio T.K. Davis
Senior Architect, Gresham Smith & Partners
Vice President/Senior Landscape Architect, Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc. Ron Lustig
Principal, Earl Swensson Associates, Inc. Larry Papel, Past President Partner, Nelson Mullins Craig Philip
Chief Executive Officer, Ingram Barge Company (retired)
Associate Professor, University of Tennessee
David Powell
Ryan Doyle, President
Jeff Rymer
Debbie Frank
Mary Pat Teague, Past President
College of Architecture and Design
General Manager, OneC1TY
Principal, Urban Blueprint David Koellein
Principal, Hastings Architecture Associates
Owner, The Rymer Gallery
Associate Director, Community, Neighborhood, & Government Relations, Vanderbilt University
Realtor, Zeitlin & Co, Realtors
@ncdc nashvillecivicdesign /nashvillecivicdesigncenter /nashvillecivicdesigncenter
138 Second Avenue North Suite 106 Nashville, TN 37201 Š 2015 Nashville Civic Design Center
Phone: 615-248-4280 info@civicdesigncenter.org civicdesigncenter.org