Big property value increase concerns East Nashville

East Nashvillians take great pride in their part of town, but many worry they won't be able to live there much longer.

"I moved here when it was affordable and will be forced out as a senior citizen," said Elizabeth Bush, a longtime Lockeland Springs resident. "Young people love it here because they think it's hip, but they have no appreciation for its history."

Because of increasing concerns that booming property values are causing East Nashville to lose its character and force out residents, Tennessee Alliance for Progress is sponsoring a series of neighborhood meetings to discuss affordable housing.

According to the most recent data from the Metro Planning Commission, Lockeland Springs property values have increased 300 percent — from $65,000 to $262,000 — between 1999 and 2013. In contrast, African Americans represented 18 percent of the Lockeland Springs population in 1999. By 2013, that number dropped to 6 percent.

A group of Lockeland Springs residents, developers and politicians — with nearly 200 years of combined living in East Nashville — met Saturday to discuss their discontent about the new data.

Attendees said they worried that the many things they like about East Nashville, such as its diverse culture, attractiveness and friendliness, will be lost if they do not take action.

"Is it smart for us to make Nashville so unaffordable that we drive out all the young musicians people come here to see?" said Nell Levin, Lockeland Springs resident and TAP director.

Brett Withers, East Nashville resident and Metro Council candidate, said neighborhood groups must work together to ensure East Nashville retains its favorable qualities.

"We need to reclaim our voice through things like setting terms of zoning changes," Withers said. "Neighborhood participation is the one thing keeping us from turning into a neighborhood that only cares about our property values."

Councilman Peter Westerholm said preventative steps need to be taken to ensure East Nashville remains affordable.

"It's easier to maintain affordable housing than create it," he said.

Bob Mendes, Metro Council at-large candidate, agreed. He said East Nashville will set the tone for changes in other neighborhoods.

"Getting it right here is a blueprint for getting it right in the rest of the city," Mendes said.

Another community meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Cleveland Community Center.

This story has been updated to correct Metro Councilman's Peter Westerholm's title.

Reach Macaela Bennett at 615-259-8089 or Twitter @Macaela_.