It was an exciting morning on October 3 as people gathered at Southeast Venture’s office for the UrbanPlan Kick Off Party. Aside from the delicious pastries and coffee, people got to network and hear more about what makes UrbanPlan such a fantastic program for our community. Guests heard from UrbanPlan Steering Committee Co-Chairs, Tara Myers with ESa, and Dave Powell with HASTINGS Architecture, about their experience leading UrbanPlan during its first two years of being in Nashville. Other speakers included Kaylen Harrison with Southeast Venture, the host for the event, about her experience serving on the Steering Committee and volunteering for a workshop, along with William Rosenthal with OPENWORKS, who hosted the first ever UrbanPlan workshop in Nashville at the Civic Design Center for his architecture students at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and his experience hosting it again for a second time in July 2023.

A special addition was getting to hear from one of Mr. Rosenthal’s former students who participated in the UrbanPlan workshop back in July 2022. She spoke to how the workshop provided her with skills and knowledge she’s been able to apply to her professional career. To wrap up the program, guests got to watch the new ULI Nashville UrbanPlan promotional video. Click the link to watch it yourself! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBtdYni5RDc 

The event was open to members and non-members as a way, which provided an opportunity for guests to not only hear about UrbanPlan but also ULI. Because of the event, ULI gained a new member, Lindsay Rivera, who has been eager to get engaged with UrbanPlan.  

“As a community-minded individual and an advocate for sustainable development, I am participating in Urban Plan to learn more about best practices in community centered development and share the information with others. With Urban Plan, I’m hoping to meet like-minded individuals who are committed to mindful community-based development, and further my engagement in this growing field.”  

We are excited to have Lindsay onboard as a ULI member and UrbanPlan volunteer and we’re thankful for all the new UrbanPlan Steering Committee members and new volunteers that have joined within the past year to help make UrbanPlan an impactful initiative for our Nashville community.