NASHVILLE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP’S ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS LUNCHEON PRESENTED BY VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY FOCUSES ON BIG DEVELOPMENT TOPIC: RIVERFRONT
For Immediate Release
October 13, 2022
Media Contact:
Alexis Bell, Nashville Downtown Partnership
abell@nashvilledowntown.com
615-983-0802
NASHVILLE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP’S ANNUAL MEETING & AWARDS LUNCHEON PRESENTED BY VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY FOCUSES ON BIG DEVELOPMENT TOPIC: RIVERFRONT
Keynote presentation by former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn promises a thought-provoking examination of the Tampa Riverwalk success story, encourages bold investments in Nashville
Nashville, Tenn. – For the second year, the Nashville Downtown Partnership and Vanderbilt University are teaming up for the Partnership’s Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon on Oct. 19, 2022, from 12 to
1:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. This year’s keynote, featuring former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, is centered on the success of the Tampa Riverwalk in Florida. Upon completion in 2013, the Tampa Riverwalk became the center of Tampa, creating new and expanded economic opportunities, improved neighborhoods, and sustained quality of life for all. Event guests will hear a first-hand account from Buckhorn, Tampa’s 58th mayor, who led the project to completion after decades of planning. Tampa’s riverfront story promises a timely and enthusiastic nod to the potential of Nashville’s own riverfront redevelopment opportunities.
“It did not take long for us to see the value in sharing downtown Tampa’s story with our community, given what’s on the horizon for downtown’s next chapter through the redevelopment of our riverfront,” said Tom Turner, Nashville Downtown Partnership president and CEO. Mayor Cooper will also speak at the event.
“The Cumberland River has the potential to be one of Nashville’s greatest assets if we continue integrating the river with our parks, greenways, and cohesive development on both riverbanks,” said Mayor Cooper. “That vision is why we’ve prioritized activation of the riverfront in our parks planning and incorporated the river into both the 2nd Avenue Restoration Project and the East Bank design. For most of our history, Nashville has had its back to the river; we now have the great opportunity to pivot and embrace the waterfront and all of its recreational and environmental promise.” The Downtown Partnership collaborates with Vanderbilt University to identify keynote presentations that harness the opportunity of Nashville.
“The economic health of Nashville’s downtown core affects the lives of all Nashvillians and is critical to our work at Vanderbilt,” said Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. “Prioritizing innovation in the city’s urban centers will provide opportunities to positively shape our region’s social and economic landscape, positioning Nashville and its communities to thrive for the next century.”
In addition to the keynote presentation, the Partnership event will recognize individuals and businesses that are shaping and transforming the downtown neighborhood to ensure Nashville’s core continues to attract and nurture smart growth. This year’s award winners in the categories of LIVE,
WORK, PLAY and INVEST will be announced at the event.
Tickets to the Partnership’s Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon are available for purchase at nashvilledowntown.com/events/annual-meeting.
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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.
About Vanderbilt University: Founded in 1873, Vanderbilt University is globally renowned for its transformative education and research. The university’s 10 schools reside on a parklike campus set in the heart of Nashville, providing a collaborative culture that empowers leaders of tomorrow. Top-ranked in both academics and financial aid, Vanderbilt offers an immersive residential undergraduate experience,
with programs in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, music, education and human development. The university also is home to nationally and internationally recognized graduate schools of law, education, business, medicine, nursing and divinity, and it offers robust graduate degree programs across a range of disciplines. Learn more at vanderbilt.edu.