NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — West Meade neighbors are demanding answers about the future of the closed Hillwood High School, a sprawling 30-acre property they hope will benefit the community again.
Residents say they pay some of the highest property taxes in Nashville, yet they’ve been waiting three years for city leaders to respond to their suggestions.
When I brought those concerns to the school district, I learned of a short-term plan that surprised even well-informed neighbors.
A spokesperson for Metro Nashville Public Schools told me a small, two-classroom pre-K center is planned for the site for the 2026-2027 school year, pending board approval. A larger center is possible if the city funds it.
The spokesperson also said the site is already serving multiple purposes, including graduations, and could be used temporarily for a future West Meade Elementary replacement. However, the district is not seeking community input on other uses.
It has been three years since the Hilltoppers played at Hillwood High School, but neighbors remember the energy as if it were yesterday.
"You heard the crowds cheering, you heard the football players knocking and you heard the band," Mit Voecks said.
Voecks grew up nearby and now serves on the West Meade Neighborhood Association. She is eager to know what comes next.
"We reach out constantly. Constantly to the mayor, council people, to MNPS and it is amazing how many different answers you get with what's going to happen to this property," Voecks said.
Neighbors say access to the Metro-owned property has been limited, with some tennis courts locked. While some fields are now used by Hume Fogg and MLK high schools, neighbors say they deserve a voice in the bigger picture, especially since West Meade has no community center or park, unlike most other Nashville neighborhoods.
"A lot of people are frustrated over here because we pay some of the highest taxes in Nashville, but we don't get anything for our taxes," Voecks said.
While some courts and the track are open, neighbors say that is not enough. They want more, or at least a larger share of the property.
"Why let this thing sit here and deteriorate? It's not fair to the community to let it sit here and drive by it and see it continue to go down and go down and go down," Voecks said.
Update: During final budget negotiations in June, the $1.1 million proposed investment for an early learning center at the vacant school building was removed from the budget. MNPS says it still plans to open the center and will seek operating funding through the 2027-28 budget.
If you could talk directly to city leaders, what would you ask them? Let me know in an email: Hannah.McDonald@NewsChannel5.com. I want to help.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Our viewers are the best! When Hannah McDonald highlighted the plight of Serenity Sumler, so many of you immediately stepped up. Serenity stopped to help a driver after spotting a wreck and was hit by another car, resulting in terrible injuries. Without the funds to pay for physical therapy, she was at a loss. Because of the kindness of others - she now can rehab and get back to school. Best of luck to her as she trains to become a chef!
- Carrie Sharp
