MUSIC CITY CENTRAL, NASHVILLE TENNESSEE
In order to accommodate increased ridership and to improve upon its current on-street facility, the Metro Transit Authority (MTA) constructed a new state of the art mixed-use Central Station facility in the heart of the downtown business district. The project includes off-street bus bays and waiting areas for 24 buses, retail, and structured off-street parking. The station is built on the site of the existing municipal parking garage (adjacent to the Municipal Auditorium). The below grade portion of the garage was demolished and reconstructed, while additional parking is built above the station. The station itself has a 2-level complex taking advantage of the natural slope between 4th and 5th Avenues allowing the design to stack the bus bays on top of each other. This facilitates the use of a smaller lot (2.5 acres) than was initially identified during the program phase, which has allowed MTA to place the station in the optimum downtown location for their riders. The 428,000 sq. ft. project also includes the renovation of the existing plaza adjacent to the Auditorium, which acts as both a buffer for the transit station and a public attraction, and also helps maintain the view corridor of the Capitol from James Robertson Parkway.

• Pedestrian friendly storefronts
• Transportation planning issues
• Downtown project
• Mixed use with retail and parking
• Incorporation of Public Art