NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Nashville’s Parking and Traffic Commission approved a proposal to add paid parking to Music Row despite opposition from music industry leaders who warned the change could hurt local businesses.
The measure will add 209 paid parking spaces along side streets in the historic music district, according to Nashville Department of Transportation leaders. The streets affected are outlined in a map provided by NDOT that you can view below.
Transportation officials said they are targeting smaller side streets because people are avoiding main stretches to avoid existing paid parking, which business owners argue is hurting them.
Industry voices concerns over free parking tradition
Music industry representatives spoke against the proposal during the commission meeting, citing the neighborhood’s long tradition of free parking.
“The parking has always been free,” said Jill Moody, Director of Songwriter Relations for the Nashville Songwriters Association.
Musicians and industry workers argued the change would penalize those who work in the district.
The Nashville Musicians Association building on Music Circle North would lose its free street parking under the NDOT proposal.
“The musicians who work under our contracts earned more than $11 million last year and should not be penalized for coming in to pick up a check or to come rehearse or record for five, eight hours or more,” Dave Pomeroy said.
Pomeroy is the president of the Nashville Musicians Association. At the meeting, before the final vote, he presented a petition with over 1,800 signatures to commission members to not approve the measure.
“To unilaterally impose paid parking on this unique neighborhood that has been driving Nashville’s music industry is simply wrong and would have serious negative consequences on the businesses.”
Here are instructions on how to watch WSMV4 live on various platforms.
Business owners report declining attendance
Some business owners said existing paid parking has already affected their operations.
Moody says the free songwriter workshops they host every Tuesday have taken a hit because of the limited parking options.
“Our attendance has drastically gone down since folks have to pay for parking, as is our songwriter rooms,” Moody said.
Despite the concerns raised by industry representatives, the commission voted to approve the measure.
No timeline has been announced for when the paid parking will be implemented. The system will operate similarly to current Park Smart initiatives in the Gulch and Midtown areas.
Music industry leaders expressed hope that the changes won’t lead to Music Row losing its musical identity.
Specific streets targeted for paid parking
The areas proposed for paid parking include:
- Chet Atkins Place from Music Square East to 19th Avenue South, for approximately 37 spaces
- 18th Avenue South from Chet Atkins Place to Grand Avenue, for approximately 15 spaces
- Music Square West from Chet Atkins Place to Grand Avenue, for approximately 14 spaces
- Music Circle North from Music Square East to Music Circle East, for approximately 30 spaces
- Music Circle South from Music Square East to Music Circle East, for approximately 20 spaces
- Music Circle East from Music Circle South to Division Street, for approximately 37 spaces
- Roy Acuff Place from Music Square East to 18th Avenue South, for approximately 56 spaces
The paid parking would be in place from 6 a.m. to midnight on all metered Music Row roads. NDOT said there is no way to create exemptions for residents or business owners.
Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.