More Coverage Of Music City's Sustainability Goals

The Nashville Metro Government and nonprofit conservation groups were already working on the plan at the time of the flooding. The resulting destruction only heightened the city's need for a system of greenways that can act as natural flood barriers.

"The plan certainly will help us for protection for floods," Dean said in an interview after the announcement. "Part of what we're looking at is ways to preserve open space, water quality, natural habitat. By expanding the open space along the river, it should have a very positive impact on flood mitigation."