On Christmas Day 2020, tragedy struck the heart of Nashville. A bombing tore through Second Avenue, damaging one of the city’s most historic and architecturally significant corridors. In an instant, buildings, businesses, and residences that helped define downtown Nashville were forever changed.
Yet Second Avenue has always been more than a street. It is a living community—home to entrepreneurs, artists, neighbors, and small businesses that give downtown its character. While the damage was profound, the resolve of this district has never wavered.
Where We Are Today
Today brings renewed access and visibility, as Second Avenue is fully open to traffic, welcoming locals and visitors back to one of downtown Nashville’s most historic streets.
While restoration continues in the immediate block where the bombing occurred—where historic preservation requirements, complex insurance processes, and long-term rebuilding efforts remain underway—much of the surrounding infrastructure has been rebuilt and modernized. Underground utilities have been replaced, streetscapes improved, and the foundation has been laid for a stronger, more resilient Second Avenue for decades to come.
Why Support Still Matters
With the street reopened, the focus now shifts to reigniting commerce and foot traffic from both locals and visitors. Second Avenue’s businesses are open and ready to welcome Nashville residents, tourists, and conventioneers alike—but sustained community support is essential to ensure long-term recovery.
Together, The DISTRICT, Inc. and the Metro Historical Commission Foundation established the 2ndAveStrong Fund to support the restoration and preservation of this irreplaceable corridor. Contributions assist with assessments, stabilization, façade repairs, and preservation efforts—while also helping create the conditions necessary for businesses to thrive and for local and tourism commerce to return in force.
Your support helps transform recovery into renewal—honoring Second Avenue’s past while strengthening its future as a vibrant destination for locals and visitors in Nashville’s historic downtown.
