The Path to Community Building

Jul 13, 2021

(Above: Mark Deutschmann stands outside of Village Real Estate’s first office.) Hitchhiking across the country. Juggling for peace in Nicaragua. Planning a new community in Madison. Becoming a change agent. Those were a few of the topics Don Hutcheson and I...

Solutions for Calming Extreme Heat in Our Cities

Jun 22, 2021

Nashville’s chicken isn’t the only thing bringing the heat. Our city is experiencing extremely hot temperatures that are lasting longer and coming more frequently. Severe heat is bad for our mental and physical health. It is also an equity issue. Extreme heat is...

Let’s Put a Cap on I-40 to Reconnect North Nashville

Apr 27, 2021

The interstate highway system built in the 1950-60s connected U.S. cities, but it also cut through and destroyed many predominantly Black neighborhoods. Decades later, planners are looking at “caps” and “stitches” projects to reconnect the neighborhoods once destroyed...

Decades-Old Zoning Paved Way for Downtown Nashville’s Residential Growth

Mar 26, 2021

There are 14,000 people living in downtown Nashville today with a housing occupancy that is higher than our peer cities. We have certainly come a long way since the first residents began moving downtown in the early 2000s. Nashville Downtown Partnership’s annual study...

Sharing an Evening with Nashville’s Emerging Leaders

Mar 5, 2021

I recently participated in a panel discussion of Nashville’s past, present and future for Nashville Emerging Leaders. We had a lively conversation, and I came away from the evening convinced our future is in great hands with these rising leaders. Other panelists for...

Second Avenue: Now the Rebuilding Begins

Jan 20, 2021

(Above: 1897 Market Street, now 2nd Ave, looking north from Broadway) The Christmas morning bombing was a tragedy for Nashville’s historic Second Avenue, destroying businesses and displacing residents. As the repairs begin, how should the district be rebuilt?...

Let’s Use Our Success to Lift Up Community

Dec 16, 2020

Each of us has the power to make a positive impact. We also have a responsibility to help others. When we work together as a community to lift up others, our bearing has a far greater effect on the place we call home. As the new year approaches, this mindset is even...

Homebuyers Seek Investment and Quality of Life in Nashville

Oct 30, 2020

This has been a challenging year in so many ways, but there’s good news on the real estate front. Home closings in the Nashville area for the third quarter are up double-digits (12 percent) from the same time last year. Some of these closings can be attributed to...

Pivoting to Celebrate Nashville Entrepreneurs’ Success

Oct 6, 2020

In 2012, I wanted to further my involvement in the Nashville community, so I joined the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. That membership has rewarded me with valuable friendships and a safe environment to share all aspects of my business and life. A peer-to-peer support...