Nashville, Tenn. – On August 29, 2024, the North Nashville community gathered to commemorate the grand opening of the Dr. Ernest Rip Patton, Jr. North Nashville Transit Center (NNTC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Located at 2521 Clarksville Pike, the state-of-the-art facility is set to enhance public transit services while honoring the legacy of one of Nashville’s most esteemed civil rights icons, Dr. Ernest Rip Patton, Jr.
More than 100 people joined Mayor Freddie O’Connell, WeGo CEO Steve Bland, and Dr. Patton’s family members at the event. The celebration highlighted both the importance of the new transit center and the city’s commitment to modernizing its public transportation infrastructure. The ribbon-cutting comes at a pivotal moment as Nashville continues to expand its network of transportation options.
Mayor O’Connell emphasized the city’s forward-thinking approach, saying, “What happens here is a sign that we are moving beyond an antiquated hub-and-spoke system that pulls everybody thinking about using transit into downtown, and, instead, moving to a point-to-point distributed network that’s built for convenience and speed.”
A Tribute to Dr. Ernest Rip Patton, Jr.
Patton, a Nashville native, played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement as a Freedom Rider. In 1961, he was arrested for participating in the historic ride to desegregate public transportation in the South. Dr. Patton and 13 other students were expelled from Tennessee State University (TSU) for their activism, though he was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from TSU in 2008 for his contributions to civil rights.
Dr. Patton’s life extended beyond activism; he was a professional musician, truck driver, and passionate storyteller of America’s civil rights history. Naming this transit center in his honor is a lasting tribute to his dedication to equality and justice.
Serving North Nashville: Past, Present, and Future
The NNTC stands as a reflection of North Nashville’s past, present, and future. From its civil rights roots to its vibrant cultural identity, the center is designed to serve the community in multiple ways. Inside, public art installations celebrate North Nashville’s history and future. A mural by Woke3 covers the concrete retaining walls, featuring the voices of local youth on important issues like education, homelessness, and environmental care. The mural also includes a QR code that links to a digital art piece by LeXander Bryant, offering visitors an immersive, interactive experience. Bryant’s work highlights the essence of Black culture in the American South, emphasizing stories of resilience and triumph.
Enhancing Transit for the City
As part of WeGo Public Transit’s efforts to improve city-wide connectivity, the center will provide enhanced transit options to North Nashville and surrounding areas. The facility aims to reduce the reliance on downtown transfers at WeGo Central and offer direct crosstown service, making travel more efficient for those who live outside the city center.
The $16.9 million transit center features multiple bus bays, an air-conditioned waiting room, free Wi-Fi, and real-time schedule displays. Additionally, it boasts public art, bike racks, and other amenities designed to enhance the rider experience. The facility was built with a strong focus on accessibility, including public restrooms, paratransit access, and designated pickup/drop-off zones for rideshares and taxis.
A Sign of Nashville’s Broader Transit Vision
The opening of the transit center comes on the heels of several other transportation announcements, including a $4.7 million federal grant for upgrading Nashville’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure and the selection of 25 new traffic calming projects by the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT). These initiatives underscore the city’s commitment to creating a more connected and sustainable transportation network.
Mayor O’Connell noted that transportation improvements like these are essential to the city’s future. “My administration is guided by the goals of improving quality of life and lowering the cost of living in Nashville,” he said. “Improving our transportation system does both as Nashvillians will find more convenient transportation options and spend less time navigating antiquated infrastructure.”
One major initiative in this vision is the Choose How You Move transportation improvement program, which will appear on the November 2024 ballot. This program includes expanding sidewalks, upgrading traffic signals, enhancing transit routes, and adding community transit centers like the NNTC. If approved, the program could generate dedicated funding that would leverage over $1.4 billion in future federal support for Nashville’s transit system.
A Step Toward the Future
The transit center is more than just a transportation hub—it is a cornerstone for the future of North Nashville. Surrounded by affordable housing developments and supported by local organizations, the center represents an investment in both the physical and social infrastructure of the community. With 41% of the project targeting Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation, the center also aims to have a positive economic impact on the area.
The opening of the Dr. Ernest Rip Patton, Jr. North Nashville Transit Center is a testament to the resilience and growth of the community it serves. By honoring the past and building for the future, the center stands as a beacon of progress and unity in North Nashville.
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