Neighbors of the West Nashville community, the Nations, have said they're here to stay and won't fall victim to developers moving in on the popular Nashville landscape.
When Mary Pratt moved into the Nations in the late 1960's, it was a much different neighborhood.
"It was wonderful, we moved onto Pennsylvania Avenue," she said.
?
She's lived in her current home on Kentucky Avenue since the 1980's.
Pratt has watched as re-development moved it's way down the street and her neighbors were forced to move out.
"We all took care of each other. I had everybody's keys almost on my block," said Pratt. "My girlfriend cried as she left the home on the corner there."
Her church, 61st Avenue United Methodist has even decided to move on, saying the people they serve don't live there anymore. Pratt, however, doesn't mind the new changes but said her new neighborhood is lacking in one area.
?
"What we need is affordable apartments and houses for our seniors, disability and low income," said Pratt.
"I would say that I'm not really popular with the developers at this minute," District 20 Councilwoman Mary Carolyn Roberts said.
Roberts, with the help of her constituents, has put her foot down on projects the community felt was just too much for this area.
?
"There are some developers who've been doing this for a long time. This has been for years the good ole boy network, they would come into these areas and tell you what they're going to do," Roberts explained.
Development is inevitable in the Nations but Roberts said it must be done in a smart way.
For those just looking to make a profit, "be ready, we're coming for you. There's not going to be any more you telling us what you're going to do to our community, you can tell us what you can do for our community," Roberts said.
The Nations Neighborhood Association meets five times a month at the West Nashville Police Precinct.
