Nashville Downtown Partnership, Pillars Development Launch Public Planning Process for Downtown Public Restroom Facilities
Grant-funded study will evaluate potential locations and facility features; Public meeting scheduled for August 11
NASHVILLE, TN (July 27, 2026) – The Nashville Downtown Partnership (NDP) has teamed with Pillars Development (Pillars), a highly respected Nashville-based land use planning and development firm, to launch a comprehensive planning initiative to evaluate the potential for future public restroom facilities in downtown Nashville.
The project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee through the 2026 Downtown Public Safety Grant, awarded to NDP in partnership with Metro Nashville. While the grant includes funding to support improvements to downtown infrastructure, outreach services and public safety, this initial phase of the project focuses on proactively assessing community needs, identifying ideal locations for restroom facilities and developing recommendations that seek to enhance the health, cleanliness and inclusivity of downtown Nashville.
Downtown Nashville continues to grow its residential and business communities while welcoming millions of visitors each year. Providing access to safe, clean and conveniently located public restrooms has emerged as an important component of creating a more welcoming, accessible and vibrant urban environment.
"The best public spaces are designed with and for the people who use them," said Edward Henley III, Founding Principal of Pillars Development. "Our goal is to facilitate an inclusive, transparent, and rigorous study that balances community feedback, operational feasibility, and best practices from peer cities. Ultimately, we are gathering the data and community input necessary to help Metro Nashville leadership make the most informed, final decisions for our city."
The planning process will include an assessment of existing conditions, analysis of potential locations, other implemented models, operational and maintenance considerations, and engagement with a broad range of stakeholders. Recommendations developed through the study will help guide future discussions and decisions regarding the implementation of public restroom facilities downtown.
Community input will play a central role in shaping the recommendations. Pillars is hosting a public meeting as follows:
Tuesday, August 11
6:00-7:30 PM
The Downtown Presbyterian Church
154 Rep. John Lewis Way N.
Nashville, TN 37219
Attendees can expect Pillars to present the project's goals, share preliminary information and gather feedback from stakeholders.
"We encourage everyone with an interest in downtown Nashville, and Nashville as a whole, to participate in this conversation and help identify solutions that meet the needs of our growing community," Henley added.
Additional opportunities for public engagement will be available throughout the planning process, with findings and recommendations expected to be completed later this year.
"Thoughtful planning is essential to making impactful, long-term investments in our downtown," said Tom Turner, President and CEO of NDP. "We are grateful to be partnering with Pillars on the engagement phase of this project to bring much-needed public restrooms to downtown Nashville. We will be working alongside residents, employees, business and property owners, visitors and community partners to determine the best locations for public restroom facilities to serve downtown while supporting public safety, cleanliness and accessibility."
Pillars brings a deep track record of guiding high-profile, complex public-private planning efforts in Davidson County. The firm has previously played central roles in shaping Nashville’s civic landscape, including:
- The SoBro (South of Broadway) Master Plan: A foundational downtown planning effort that guided land use and ultimately enabled the creation of Riverfront Park and Ascend Amphitheater.
- Imagine East Bank: A 338-acre vision plan emphasizing equitable redevelopment, parks, and environmental resilience to reconnect downtown with the Cumberland River.
- Metro Nashville Parks Master Plan ("Plan to Play"): A system-wide planning effort establishing investments in greenways, parks, and equitable access across the county
Additional opportunities for public engagement and feedback will be available throughout the planning process, with final findings and recommendations expected to be completed later this year.
For more information regarding the upcoming public meeting or to submit feedback, please visit https://nashvilledowntown.com/services/public-restrooms-study.
About Nashville Downtown Partnership
Organized in 1994, the Nashville Downtown Partnership is a private-sector nonprofit corporation and membership organization whose core purpose is “to make Downtown Nashville the compelling urban center in the Southeast in which to LIVE, WORK, PLAY and INVEST.” For more information, visit nashvilledowntown.com.