Smart Growth formed in 2014 and commenced as a general open discussion to outline projects and areas that we considered are critical to the future of Bluefields. Smart growth as the name implies is about how our neighborhood will grow in the future and this extends to our surrounding neighbors, businesses, schools and transportation.
Smart Growth's ongoing focus and challanges in 2015 and ahead include:
- Historic Preservation & ongoing revitalization of Bluefield Avenue.
- Walkability in, around and connecting to Bluefields & Donelson Village.
- Our neigbhoring railway line (and Donelson Station).
What is "Smart Growth"?
At the heart of the American dream is the simple hope that each of us can choose to live in a neighborhood that is beautiful, safe, affordable and easy to get around. Smart growth is a better way to build and maintain our towns and cities. Smart growth means building urban, suburban and rural communities with housing and transportation choices near jobs, shops and schools. This approach supports local economies and protects the environment.
Smart Growth Bluefields uses http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org as a resource as well as many other sources in terms of helping establish what will be future Smart Growth for Bluefields.
Here was some of the initial areas that were identified in our initial meetings:
- Railway Line - Back Of Bluefield Avenue Maintenance - Donelson Railway Station.
- 2600 Bluefield Avenue & Lebanon Road Entrance
- Traffic lights and pedestian crossing - Donelson Pike Bluefield Entrance
- Historic National Register & Historic / Conservative Overlay Research
2014 Founding Committee Members:
- Peter Beare
- Gary Conn
- Alan & Cynthia Mcmillen
- Richard Reesman
Historic Preservation Research Committee:
- Kara & Joe Siejakowski
- Megan Deardorff
- Nancy Donavan
- Maggie Bracewell
- Maggie Sidelinger
- Doug Henry
- Vicki Beare
Our first project in 2014 was focusing on is Donelson Railway Station (railway line at the back of Bluefield Avenue specifically) and we have shared our initial research with Jeff Syracuse who is President of the Donelson Gateway Project (running for Metro Concil District 15 Councilman position). Jeff is exploring the option of making Donelson Railway Station as an official location in the Donelson Gateway Project and is also sharing information with the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce (Transportation Committee) and current councilman Phil Claiborne.
In April joined Jeff Syracuse recently for a field trip to review properties located on Bluefield Avenue and different points on the railway line including the bridge, and properties located at various points along Bluefield Avenue including reviewing the locaiton marked for a new communications tower (Lebanon Pike end of Bluefield Avenue).
We then spent our early summer focusing on the Cell Tower Proposed at Historic Bluefields
In the fall of 2014 SmarthGrowth focused on landscaping and beautifying Bluefield Avenue while working on Historic/Conservative Preservation Information Sessions.