Hargreaves Associates of Cambridge, Mass., has been selected to commence design of the first phase of the New Riverfront Park project in downtown Nashville.

"The redevelopment of our downtown waterfront is about creating amenities that will draw families and visitors to enjoy one of our city’s greatest assets," said Mayor Karl Dean. "We are excited to have Hargreaves Associates, who prepared the Nashville Riverfront Concept Plan, bring their world-class experience and expertise to this first phase of development."

Dean included $30 million in the city’s capital spending plan to fund the initial phases of riverfront redevelopment. The funds were approved by the Metro Council earlier this year.

Hargreaves Associates will lead a multi-disciplinary design team to prepare schematic design plans and obtain environmental permitting for 17 park and open space projects proposed along the downtown riverfront corridor, and prepare final construction documents for the 7.5 acre Adventure Play Park to be located on the east bank of the Cumberland River immediately adjacent to the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge.

Local consulting firms comprising the Hargreaves team include EOA Architects, Hawkins Partners, Barge Cauthen and Associates, Hodgson & Douglas, Civil and Environmental Consultants (CEC), EMC Structural Engineers, Thornton and Associates, RPM Transportation Consultants, New South Associates, Power Management Corporation, TTL, Blue Tractor and Wilmot Associates.

The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency's Board of Commissioners approved the selection of Hargreaves Associates at its meeting today. Construction of the Adventure Play Park is scheduled to begin next summer.