ATLBrain

While the link is active, check out these photos from 1970s Nashville courtesy of the online Tennessean. There were some from the 40s, 50s, and 60s but those links did not stay on the Tennessean site longer than a day. http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/galler...0821&Ref=PH

Funny thing, guys. I also saw that and thought the very same thing. Besides, it's encore, right? If anything shouldn't it be musical notes? Still that would look cheesy too.

Durn, I'm jealous.

No offense taken. I knew that Nashville was a popular convention destination, but I didn't realize it was in the top 10. Yes, that bodes well for the new CC. While I remain skeptical, I really do hope Nashville breaks the mold on CCs.

Just telling you what I think will happen. I'm not saying that I disagree with the idea behind it, just that the politicians will shy away (even run from) the idea of anything other than a convention center. Don't misunderstand, I think you guys did fine work, and no doubt the politicians will "engage" the community as it's the politically smart thing to do and costs virtually nothing to do. This is after all, public money, and it's always a touchy subject when public financing is concerned. I could even predict for you how this will play out: Lots of nice renderings and plans will be put forth to the public, and then the cost estimates will come. Then all of a sudden there will be vocal objections from citizens, and then the various commissions involved, and they'll look for areas to cut (aka value engineer), and somebody(s?) will complain that the mission is to build a convention center ONLY, and it must be cost-effective, etc.,etc., etc. I've seen it umpteen times before, and I'll bet you have too. You might get some nice architecture, but not with the Roman forum and apartments and retail, etc.. I'm quite sure that in the end you'll get a box. Whether you agree with me or not, you know politicians probably as well as I do. When have they not acted this way? Oh, and with all due respect, there's no way a piddling 350K convention hall (and that is what it's supposed to be, no?) can blow away a 1.5M convention center (not counting the Dome). So let's not get into a p***ing match on CC's.

My point is that the politicians and CC-backers will actually want a big box for several reasons. First, it will be something they can point to and say, "See we built a convention center". People are inherently distrustful of governments getting into the landlord business for either residential or other. A building that has any more than a convention center will appear to be that, and the politicians will want to distance themselves from anything more than a CC. Additionally, with the money earmarked to a CC, they'll be reluctant to take a portion of it for something other than a CC. Most will be afraid that it would be seen as "less of a CC" than they could get by using all the money for convention space without the extra stuff. I work with politicians, and in their minds it's about getting "just the facts" without making the task any more complicated. In other words, "The city is paying for a convention center, and that's just what they're gonna get."

Personally, I don't see this happening. Nashville's leaders may get some worthwhile ideas, but I think it will be perceived as too many frills without the real meat and potatoes of the convention center itself. This is after all a public project.

20th and Belcourt, which will be mixed use retail and office in the heart of Hillsboro Village. Five floors wrapped around parking garage. http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...NESS01/80303013 http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=59002

That's it. Thanks.

I saw a much more recent study from 2006(?), but I can't place it at the moment. It consisted of about a half-dozen routes through downtown that run north-south and east-west and incorporate the new bus depot. I remember the Nolensville/4th Ave leg would be done first through downtown and link up with 8th on the north side. The routes I saw are to be BRT would be forerunners to LRT routes. I know I'm not imagining this, so does anyone have a link to that report? I do recall the map with that study did not have the route you posted above. I was surprised that it did not have an emphasis on the Church/Broadway corridors.

Since Monsoon closed the West End Summit thread, I didn't know where to put this. Palmer has pulled the permit to start the foundation work... http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...NESS01/80227024

What is "it"? The bridge, or the whole project? Or what?

Would that be different from the Franklin Police HQ? I have seen links to that from the Tennessean website (Williamson Co. Section). Don't know if it is still posted. However, it's a large building of about 90K sq.ft. and has the classic mid-20th century municipal building look to it. All brick and 3 stories (I think). It looks urban.

Just wondering, if you knew it was doomed at 55 stories, why do you think that plan would be under construction now?

Good luck. You are after all in a county of more than 600K people. Seems like a hard case to fight. Don't blame you for fighting, but development will come someday.