Mayor Freddie O’Connell has been Nashville’s mayor for less than a year, but is already following through on his campaign commitments to expand public transportation and focus on Nashville residents. Hey Nashville had a chance to ask him about his big plans for our town during his interview for our inaugural podcast episode!
What impresses me most about these answers is his constant praise of others instead of himself. He comes off as a humble guy.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
What's one thing you've accomplished that you're most excited about?
The team we have put together to do important things for the city is really great. Everybody was so excited to see Bob Mendes move into a role where he could use his decades of experience to dig deep into principles that are important to both of us as we think about the East Bank.
Bob and I started the conversation with ideas about what binds communities together: walkability, deeply affordable housing, and housing that is attainable for people working in all kinds of jobs. We wanted mixed-income and mixed-use communities on the riverfront without restricting it to an entertainment district. That's as much a high five to Bob and his role on our team as to myself.
Was your transit plan a team effort, too?
This has been a multi-departmental, coordinated effort to do things I've known the city needed to do for 20 years. We swung into action on day one and started working with WeGo and NDOT, and sourcing ideas from the community. Then we hired Michael Briggs to come lead that effort and Kendra Abkowitz started working right alongside him. It’s been fantastic watching Michael and Kendra team up to put together a comprehensive transportation improvement program.
It hasn't passed the ballot yet — hasn't met the ultimate test of voters — but we’re getting closer to the finish line. And it will be a big deal if it passes. You can go to transit.nashville.gov today and experience interactive maps based on this plan.
What's your favorite under-the-radar spot in Nashville?
DRKMTTR is awesome. Going back there for Lucy's Record Shop reunion was an amazing walk back in time. One of our daughter’s friend’s dads was there, and we were having this casual conversation about dad life when a band started up, and he was like, “Hey, pardon me. I’ll be right back. I gotta go rock out.” And then he was right up front thrashing.
