Jefferson Street Students Seek Changes, Not Erasure
Students at three Nashville HBCUs want more places to eat, study and gather as the city plans the corridor's future.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Higher Education
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Students at three historically Black colleges and universities along Jefferson Street in Nashville shared their hopes for the corridor's future as the city plans for its development. The city is planning for the area through Mayor Freddie O'Connell's Choose How You Move initiative, which affects students who live, study and gather there.
Why it matters
Students want more places to eat, study and gather along the corridor, but some are concerned about how quickly the area is changing. Their comments reflect a push for improvements that keep the area's history intact and continue to support existing businesses.
The story reports no dollar figures, deadlines or eligibility rules. It identifies three participating schools along the corridor and notes that Fisk University has no current plans to join specific redevelopment efforts.
The players
Choose How You Move
Nashville's city planning initiative under Mayor Freddie O'Connell that is shaping the Jefferson Street corridor's future.
Meharry Medical College
A historically Black medical college on Jefferson Street that is working on affordable student housing and community safety.
Tennessee State University
A historically Black public university on Jefferson Street that is working with the mayor's office on student transportation.
Fisk University
A historically Black university on Jefferson Street that supports safety and infrastructure improvements but has no current redevelopment plans.
The details
The city is planning for Jefferson Street through the Choose How You Move initiative led by Mayor Freddie O'Connell. Meharry Medical College is working with the Jefferson Street Corridor Study Community Advisory Board on affordable student housing and community safety. Tennessee State University is working with the mayor's office on transportation investments for students, workers and families. Fisk University supports improvements focused on safety, the student experience, aesthetics and infrastructure, though it has no current plans to join specific redevelopment efforts.
Timeline
Students shared their hopes for Jefferson Street's future in a news report dated November 13, 2026.
Education Landscape
Jefferson Street's three historically Black colleges and universities place the corridor's planning within Nashville's broader transportation and campus-area work. The story reports the students' perspectives on change, not a comparison with prior years or other campuses.
If you attend or plan to attend Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University or Fisk University, the planned changes could affect student housing, transportation and the places you study and gather. Questions about housing or transportation support are best directed to your campus housing or student services office.
The takeaway
Students along Jefferson Street want improvements that keep the corridor's history and local businesses intact. If you attend one of these schools, ask your campus housing or student services office how the planning may affect student housing and transportation.
Further reading
For more on how campus neighborhoods shape student life, explore Higher Education coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wsmv.
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