Page 6 - July-Aug 2019 Vol37 No2
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METRO NASHVILLE By Cortnye Stone
As Events Grow, Metro Nashville
Public Works Steps Up
Nashville might be called “Music City”, Hosting 2019 NFL Draft Required Massive Road Closures, Solid Waste and Recycling
but for a few days in late April of this year, Logistics Coordination Plans
Nashville became “Football City, USA.”
That’s when partnerships become key. In the months and weeks leading up to
When the National Football League The partnership between the NFL, the the weekend of the event, Metro Public
chose Nashville to host the 2019 NFL Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Corp., Works staff assisted organizers with
Draft in Tennessee’s capitol, many people and the City of Nashville, including acquiring the proper lane and road closure
had no idea what to expect. Everyone the Metro Nashville Public Works permits, putting together a programmable
knows Nashville can host a great party, Department and the Metro Nashville lighting plan for the Korean Veterans
but as each event gets larger and more Police Department, started well before Bridge and ensuring a solid waste and
ambitious, logistics begin to pose a greater the first draft day. Staff from Metro Public recycling plan would keep downtown safe
challenge. Works began meeting to coordinate and clean during the three-day draft. And
logistics with the NFL and organizers six that’s just the start of the department’s
months prior to the event. “to-do” list.
“We’re used to having an important role Prior to the official beginning of the
in these big downtown events, so when festivities, Public Works crews helped
we heard the NFL Draft was coming to transform Nashville’s hallmark street—
Nashville, we got pretty excited. Then we Broadway—into a massive amphitheater
heard about all the things they wanted to by removing regulatory street signs, traffic
do, and we got a little scared,” jokes Public signal arms, and transforming traffic
Works Assistant Director Phillip Jones. signals using NFL-themed light displays.
Photos provided by Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp
6 TPW July/August 2019
