NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Regulations restricting sidewalk vendors could expand from Nashville's downtown entertainment district to include the Gulch neighborhood.
In early 2023, former Nashville Mayor John Cooper signed an ordinance allowing the Nashville Department of Transportation & Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) to issue vending permits and the Traffic and Parking Commission to adjust vending areas.
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Metro Councilman Jacob Kupin said the council has heard from residents and business owners in the Gulch who believe they would benefit from the same restrictions.
"We're not trying to shut down vending in any means, but just make sure that when it does happen, it happens in a way that's safe for everyone," said Kupin.
Safety was a top concern when crafting the downtown ordinance and Kupin said that needs to stay paramount.
"I wish that we had a wide enough sidewalk that we could both have sidewalk vending and pedestrians, but given our more narrow right of way, we're a bit more limited," said Kupin.
The ordinance and map indicating current permitted and restricted areas are available online.
NDOT accepts right-of-way permit applications for approved areas. They also have the right to issue citations for violations.
The Traffic & Parking Commission will discuss the expanded ordinance during their Sept. 9 meeting.
