Hi all,
Full disclosure, I live in 37205 about 2 miles from the Costco. First, I'm not 'agin' development or developers, and I recognize that no place escapes change forever. This is a very important part of the city, and if it is time, it should be integrated into the areas west and north in a way that makes sense for all of Davidson county. Developers are, by definition, limited in scope in the way that they plan, and the current design really looks to the be the private office for us 37205 residents.
A quick glance at a map shows that extending Old Hickory from I-40 across the river would integrate Bellevue as well as us. A further view from 30,000 feet reveals to me that this development should connect to Briley Parkway -- a road whose reason for being is to allow access to North Davidson county to promote development and to connect I-65 North to the area. Anyone travelled recently on the Briley Parkway/I-65 interchange or Briley Parkway/I40 interchange? Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent to make sure that that Briley Parkway was integrated into the Interstate system. A connector from Old Hickory through Bell's Bend to Briley Parkway would create another bypass for downtown (good for traffic) and make access to Bell's bend available from multiple directions, including Bellevue, Ashland city, Madison, Goodlettseville, as well as those of us across the river. Then an office park makes sense, as would residential etc.
In my view thats the right way to integrate Bell's Bend -- not piecemeal with what is functionally one large quasi-gated (by virtue of one entrance) community. A single access point is asking for trouble and planning for failure.
Thanks,
john
