captainwjm

Not sure if this qualifies as Gulch related, but noticed yesterday that demolition of one or more of the old, apprently abandoned, buildings fronting I-40/65 on Geo. L. Davis between Grundy St and Church has begun. Any idea what is going on?

Way off topic, I know, but does anybody know why one of the two flag poles at the Federal courthouse on the Broadway side was removed?

I'd take the Vandy stadium announcement with a large grain of salt. The business model for football - pro and major college - is based on television revenue, not butts in the seats. An exploration of options - what the Vandy announcement actually said was going to occur - may reveal that money would be better spent on other things. And, since Vandy - less than half the size of Austin Peay - has no access to public money, funding would be dependant on fund raising which is never a given.

Steel being erected at the AT&T Store [?] at the corner of West End and 19th

Excellent tool; thanks!

Well, I like the Burton Snuff smell, especially when they are adding the "wintergreen" element! The wastewater plant does occasionally produce an odor, but generally only noticeable during hot, still, humid weather. BTW, remember after 9/11 when Channel 5 did an "expose'" about how easy it would be for terrorists to sneak into that plant. LOL, when they confronted Metro officials who admitted never considering that sewage might be posioned!

I have some familiarity with the Hull building and question the "functionally obselete" designation. The building is clean, and well-maintained by state standards. It has been significnatly renovated at least once in the last 20 or so years. As far as I know, all systems are up-to-date and functioning without undue expense. According to the report, deferred maintenance was a significant factor in the designation, but more critically is a problem with the foundation that creates the excessive cost of continuing occupancy. Whether the dollars and cents analysis of the administration makes sense is something that needs to be closely looked at. Too bad that the legislature - or at least the Davidson County delegation - is not inclined to challenge the assumption underlying the request to fund a $25 million demoltion and associated costs of relocation and rental space. One good aspect of this is that rumor has it that at least some of the building's offices will be relocated to vacant space in the regions Bank building, thus keeping those workers downtown.

Just curious, but does any other city our size have an Opryland-type convention center outside of the downtown area, and still have a vibrant downtown convention business including multiple high-end hotels? I'm wondereing if the Opryland draw is a factor in downtown not having what Indianapolis, for example, has?

I have no inside information, but knowing police officers, had these folks not pulled out their phones and started filming, in all likelihood, no arrests would have occured in the first place.

I may have missed it, but what are the plans for the large parcel that used to be the Chrysler dealer, then Greyhound depot on Charlotte, and the adjacent lots? Several building razed there is the last few months between the interstate and the railroad.

I'm told that it will be "Two Boots Pizza" - whatever that is. Unclear if they will be sole tenant.

Regretably, the wedge building [described as "art deco"] is being rehabed into another pizza joint. Blasting began Friday for a grease pit and utilities, but there was a problem with debris being flung all around [damage to Corner Pub across the street] so the fire marshal shut it down for a re-think. Drilling for more blasting started again today. Too bad that a more inventive use for this plot wasn't conceived.

I have seen several comments about Mr. Patel in this vein; what's the backstory?

Any ideas about the sale of 1904 Adelicia Street? Nashville Post speculates it's a Taylor Swift venture. http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2012/12/21/deed_geek_did_taylo r_buy_a_publishing_house

Congratulations and Thank You to council member Eric Gilmore for standing up for the current code and rejecting Mickey D's requests for a variance. Although I doubt that she carries much clout with the council, her support for what should be the planning commission's decision is a plus.

Any idea what's up with the McDonald's on Broadway that "burned" over a year ago?

Former Mrs. Winner's at corner of 19th and West End being demolished today.