New Donelson library opens in Nashville

Musical performances, a puppet show and appearances from Nashville political leaders marked the long-awaited grand opening of the Donelson library branch Monday.

Why it matters: The new library anchors an already-thriving corner of the city, putting a cherry on top of the Hip Donelson sundae.

The big picture: The library joins popular eateries like Bagelshop , quirky independent retailers like Rick's Comic City and a newly finished apartment development inside the revitalized Donelson Plaza.

What he's saying: "To put a true civic anchor inside the town center was just an extraordinary opportunity," Jeff Syracuse, the former Metro Council member who helped bring the library project to fruition, tells Axios. "For many years, Donelson was all pavement and wires, all auto-oriented. The evolution we've gone through is really amazing."

• "We now have green space in the front, outdoor public art and beautiful indoor art."

Between the lines: The library project, which Syracuse said cost about $20 million, came together in partnership with the firm Holladay Properties .

• The project spanned four mayoral administrations and endured delays due to the pandemic and a brief city spending freeze.
• A ribbon-cutting for the Flats at Donelson Plaza apartment complex also took place Monday.

Details: The new 24,000-square-foot library has three dedicated spaces to host community events, six study rooms, artwork by local artists and a mobile kitchen on wheels sponsored by the Stones River Woman's Club.

• The library also includes a small Davidson County Clerk's kiosk, where annual vehicle registration can be renewed.
• The Donelson branch is the fifth library with a renewal station.

"Libraries are not about just going to check out a book. They're modern multimedia centers and places for all kinds of community programming," Syracuse says.