ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition is opening a new community center in southeast Nashville.
According to the executive director of TIRRC, the nonprofit chose Antioch for the hub and neighborhood meeting space because the area is under-served.
"Of all the neighborhoods in Nashville, Antioch has fewer nonprofits, fewer green spaces and fewer art exhibitions or spaces," said Lisa Sherman Nikolaus.
Only 3.2% of the nonprofits in the city are located in Antioch, according to the organization.
"We're really excited to be able to contribute to this community, which is really where the majority of the immigrants and refugees live and work in Davidson County," Sherman Nikolaus said.
The two-story, 7,000 sq. ft. building is located on a 1.5-acre lot on 1406 Antioch Pike. The exterior of the building features vivid murals by Nathan Brown, Cosby Hayes and Woke 3. The property will feature community gardens, playgrounds and a soccer field.
"We've heard from the restaurant across the street they're really excited to use the soccer space," Sherman Nikolaus said.
TIRRC is told the construction will be completed by the end of December.
In the meantime, the organization is hosting an online housewarming where people can shop a registry and buy furnishings for the new community center.
"Our registry includes things like cozy pillows, a lot of chairs that we can move around to create space and host all types of events and meetings, a lot of plants, books for children, playground items, things for our soccer field. Just a lot of those things that warm up a space and make things warm and cozy," Sherman Nikolaus said.
The project will cost $2.63 million, only 5% of which still needs to be raised. TIRRC staff will begin moving into the space in January.
"Immigrants and refugees are here to stay and this is our home," Sherman Nikolaus said.
