nashmoney

Went from this To this.... To this.... To this... WOW!

Exactly! We went from a very good rendering, to an OK rendering, to a Glass short Box! We probalby have the most glass, concrete box structures in the nation. Add this one to Roundabout plaza, Gulch crossing (which is a nice glass box), Suntrust plaza, the two identical state box buildings near bicentenial, and all of the others! Put these short glass boxes in Coolsprings....not in the urban core.

Found the updated plans for the West Riverfront Park - Amphitheatre...thanks to the Nashville Ledger Metro unveils final design for West Riverfront Park http://www.nashvilleledger.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=73398 As we can see, the design of the amphitheatre definitley changed..not sure for the good or the worst. The previous rendering was definitley no bueno. Still do not know why they will not move the amphitheatre closer to the pedestrian bridge, where they have space for "the Green". Seems like a use of wasted space. They could make the "Bowl bigger" and increase the number of people for the theatre. Hate it that the Railroad tracks separates the park from the river. I guess we will have better access to the river on the East bank development. Overall, I think it will be an added asset to downtown and our city. From the article: "The park will include more than one mile of multi-use greenway trails, Nashville’s first downtown dog park, ornamental gardens, a 1.5-acre event lawn called the Green and an amphitheater. Construction on the park began earlier this year." Previous rendering.

Room agreement deal made with the soon to be built Westin Convention Center Authority OKs room deal with Westin http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2014/05/convention-center-authority-oks-room-deal-with.html

Saw this article on the net regarding Publix building a store in downtonw B-ham. Congrats to B-ham and their leadership in making it happen. http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/05/publix_to_build_grocery_store.html I have nothing against Birmingham and think it is a great little city that is making great strides with their downtown. They actually have a really nice new downtown minor leauge park, a public park, and apartments near the park, (sorta like what we are doing with the Sounds development). However, I do think we would have at least had an announcement regarding a downtown grocery store.Their amount of development and downtown residents is no where near Nashville's level. I definitely think our chances of getting a "true" downtown full service grocery store will break ground this year with the HCA development, and If not, I would be really disappointed. I think the proximity of UAB and the Unversity hospital helped with the decision to open the Publix. Thoughts, Comments??

That's one of my faves as well. I also like the 65S split coming into town from 100 Oaks area

So if I wanted to open a Dunkin donuts, what would I have to do to make it unique to Nashville? Sell Guitar shaped donuts and keychains and t-shirts, or have a live band on Fridays? This ordinance just isn't for Broadway, but 20 acres downtown! Are they serious??? It's not clear from the article if it would be just the Broadway, Second ave, and P-Alley areas. From the article: "Or, if it is a retailer, 75 percent of the store's products would have to be aimed at supporting the district's cultural heritage, including musicians, craftsmen or performance venues. The district would include about 20 acres downtown and would cover parts of Broadway, Second Avenue North and Printer's Alley. The area includes the property Trail West occupies that is being targeted by the drugstore chain."

Celebrity gossip Web site TMZ opens up shop in Nashville http://www.wkrn.com/story/25520939/celebrity-gossip-web-site-tmz-opens-up-shop-in-nashville This is BAD BAD BAD for Nashville. Nashville being paparazzi free was one of the reasons why Nicole Kidman and Hayden P. moved here, and why so many stars like calling Nashville home. I had a feeling that this day would come....

What intersection is this at exactly?

The times I have been to the Kroger on Rosa Parks, my experience has not been bad. They had what I needed, there were many checkout lanes open, and I got in and out in a timely manner. Now if you are comparing it to a Whole Foods or the Kroger in Greenhills or Brentwood, then yes it needs improvement in some areas. But compared to all of the other Krogers in the Nashville urban area, I don't think it is the worst. I used to live across from Ted Rhodes golf course near metro center and I would go to Rosa Parks or Charlotte Ave Kroger and I would say both are about the same.

Nice little write up on the Nashville food scene in the Washington Post http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2014/05/washington-post-highlights-nashville-restaurants.html from the article: "GQ got it right when it declared Nashville 'Nowville' two years ago," Sietsema wrote, following his 48-hour tour of the city. "No other Southern city of my acquaintance claims quite the heady mix of artists, designers and fashion-forward restaurants as the home of the Grand Ole Opry."

Nashville's Melrose area to get two new restaurants http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2014/05/12/nashvilles-melrose-area-get-two-new-restaurants/8978813/

Giarratana finalizes funding for SoBro apartment tower From the NBJ: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2014/05/giarratana-finalizes-funding-for-sobro-apartment.html "Nashville developer Tony Giarratana says he will close this month on financing for the SoBro, a 32-story tower that will add 313 luxury apartments downtown. Giarranta told me the $90 million construction will begin "immediately after" loan documents are signed. He declined to discuss further details." Let's get these docs signed, dirt moving, and this baby rising! The article says "he will" close on financing this month (not expects to or hopefully will) So can we pretty much call this a done deal?...I hope so!

I had a dream last night that I lived in this building...got ready for work.... And worked in this Building.... Took the AMP down Broadway and attended a workshop at the Intercontinental at this building Then I woke up and realized it was only a dream . It seemed so Real!! I knew I shouldn't have had that strawberry cheesecake before bed last night!

Nashville tops list of fastest-growing summer travel destinations http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2014/05/nashville-tops-list-of-fastest-growing.html

So we will essentially hve BRT Lite on all of our Pike corridors Murfreesboro pk, Gallatin pk, Nolensville pk, Charlotte pk (except for Clarksville pk - which ridership doesnt warrant one). Most of the BRT Lite buses I see are pretty packed. Interesting idea allowing MTA buses free of charge for all school students. I wonder what was the logic behind his proposal. I know it is currently reduced fare for students, but I wonder how this would impact ridership and/or revenue. The money spent making MTA free for students could be used for the AMP, which he has yet to discuss funding. I think it should be a reduced fare, but definitely not "free". From the Tennessean: "The mayor said his budget proposal, which he is releasing today, would include additional BRT Lite lines — essentially express bus lines — down Charlotte Avenue and Nolensville Road, essentially express bus lines. He also proposed making Metro Transit Authority buses free of charge for all Nashville public school students." http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2014/04/30/mayor-karl-dean-includes-pre-k-elderly-care-vision/8513703/

Found this really awesome pic of downtown from Cumberland Park. I forgot there was a little amphitheatre at cumberland park. Malcolm MacGregor/Getty Images

Interesting article in the Tennessean about the area breweries. I definitely think the East Gulch area shuld be branded "Brewers Row" Independent breweries enhance Nashville's neighborhoods http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2014/04/28/wood-caldwell-independent-breweries-enhance-nashvilles-neighborhoods/8426839/

Looks pretty cool. I never tried this one when I've gone to ATL, so it will definitely be on the list to try when it opens here.

The reviews alone should have this place shut down. I guess Dean and the council have never driven by this place... Or even even the codes dept. To get back on topic, here is a pic http://www.wsmv.com/story/19575169/sidebar-stadium-inn-evacauated-by-fire Even a fire can't destroy it.

someone please demolish the atrocity known as the Stadium Inn!!! I don't see why the city, even the federal govt doesnt shut this place down. Since I've been born, that thing has been one of the biggest eyesores on the fringes of downtown. It seems like every tornado and major storm we have skips right over this building, with not even a scratch The reviews on tripadvisor are hilarious! http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g55229-d122629-Reviews-Stadium_Inn-Nashville_Tennessee.html

LOL....Maybe they are going for a US Embassy in the Middle East look??

Thanks...I thought 24,000 people averaged per night was a bit wee much lol

Regarding the Amphitheatre conversation, Don't forget about the Public Square Park at the Courthouse as an outdoor venue. It has been very successful in years past and is now opening up Deadrick to 4th ave for the event. Not sure how many people it can hold on any given night, but it attracted 72,000 fans during its run last year. The festival runs for three consecutive thursdays, so that would be an average of 24,000 fans per night. Live on the Green expands, wraps concert series with three-day festival http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2014/04/live-on-the-green-expands-wraps-concert-series.html Edit - Btw, I love this shot of the city!!!

LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!