Proposal would end begging downtown

The Nashville Downtown Partnership has drafted a Metro Council ordinance to prohibit panhandling in certain downtown areas.

Councilman Mike Jameson (District 6) said he is trying to bring stakeholders from the community together to discuss the issue.

The proposed ordinance defines panhandling as "any solicitation made in person requesting an immediate donation of money or other thing of value for oneself or another person or entity."

The Downtown Partnership proposes to prohibit panhandling on the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, Bicentennial Park, Riverfront Park, Church Street Park, Hall of Fame Park, the Public Plaza, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Arcade entrances, TPAC, the Frist Center, the Nashville Convention Center, the Gaylord Entertainment Center, the Nashville Public Library, The District (Second Avenue North between Church Street and Broadway, Broadway between Fourth and First avenues, and Printers Alley between Commerce and Union streets), and in the rights-of-way including sidewalks of those locations.

"I have not filed the bill and don't intend to until we've got comments and insight from all of the affected stakeholders," Jameson said. "I have asked the Mayor's Office, the task force of homelessness