A longtime vision to revitalize the former US Naval Reserve Training Center at Shelby Parks and Bottoms is ready to set sail.

Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms and the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville unveiled plans for Shelby Commons, a new community hub that will activate the park’s western entrance and provide new recreation opportunities along the river.

A nautical history

The Shelby Naval Reserve Training Center was constructed in 1948 and designed by American architect Edwin Keeble. It served as a US Navy training facility until 2009 when it was decommissioned and transferred to Metro Parks. The building's "Nautical Moderne" style led to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places for its “significance in architecture and military history.”

However, the years of heavy use, limited maintenance, and more than a decade of abandonment have taken a toll on the structure. It now stands in a state of disrepair, awaiting this new chapter as an arts hub.

Here's how the building could potentially be designed. | Graphic via Friends of Shelby Park & Bottoms

Sailing into the future

Friends of Shelby will lease the former naval building and surrounding grounds via a public-private partnership. Plans for the 19,000-sqft campus include space for arts nonprofits, a restaurant and market, and a state-of-the-art event venue. Plus:

New park amenities, including public restrooms
Recreation-focused retail — think: kayak and bike rentals
Meeting space and multi-purpose rooms
Artist studios and creative micro-retail
Administrative space for the Friends of Shelby Park team and the Arts & Business Council team
Local art displayed throughout the entire footprint

The project’s price tag is $10 million, with $2.5 million provided by Metro and the rest raised through fundraising efforts.

Get involved

A series of community meetings outlining specific needs throughout the design phases will be held before the project is considered for final approval. Register to attend the first meeting scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center.