Our Story

The DISTRICT Board has set out to identify more of our neighborhood assets and assist in any change, and or challenges, as a Board, we want to create goals that lead into RESULTS where, live, work, shop, dine, play, and the public comes to Vacation.

The DISTRICT is a private 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to economic and community revitalization of three historic districts and their contiguous areas in downtown Nashville; Broadway, 2nd Avenue/Riverfront and Printers Alley, collectively known as The DISTRICT. Its programs seek to foster and stimulate growth of a district identity, community spirit, civic pride and unity while promoting the people in the area and to further retain downtown Nashville’s historic character.

The DISTRICT program began in the late 1980’s as a collaboration between Historic Nashville Inc. and the Metropolitan Historical Commission. Patterned after the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s successful Main Street Program, the two organizations sought to focus on the historic areas of Nashville, specifically 2nd Avenue, Broadway and Printer’s Alley. The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency provided a three-year block grant of $30,000 per year as seed money to fund the startup of The DISTRICT organization.

The Historic Riverfront Association 501(c)(3), established in the mid-1980’s, sought to promote, preserve and protect the businesses, residents and buildings along 1st Avenue North and the Riverfront. When approached by Historic Nashville and the Metro Historic Commission to merge into The DISTRICT program, the Historic Riverfront Association 501(c)(3) welcomed the opportunity to expand its scope and continue its work. The Historic Riverfront Association already had a 501(c)(3) and the new organization, The DISTRICT, used The Historic Riverfront Association’s non-profit designation.

Geographically, The DISTRICT consists of three of downtown Nashville’s National Register Historic Districts: 2nd Avenue, Broadway and Printer’s Alley. Organizationally, it is a partnership of the business community, property owners, preservationists, non-profits and government agencies with an interest in downtown Nashville.

Former First Lady Laura Bush named “The DISTRICT”, as one of the first five communities to receive the designation of Preserve America Community Neighborhood.