AUNash

I would love to get in those buildings to see them now. Are there many other multistory historic buildings downtown with long-vacant upper floors? I had assumed that most of those spaces had been converted to lofts, but I haven't really canvassed downtown looking for those types of things. This project is going to help 4th, I think. The stretch between Commerce and Union has good bones, but this project, along with the Noel Place hotel will upgrade the street, I think.

They are excavating below grade right up to church street. I suppose this means the below grade parking floors will extend underneath the tower?

The whole feeling of that area is already so different than when it was a big parking lot. Love it. Can't wait to see how it all fits together with Virgin and Skyhouse mixed in.

Fencing going up this morning. (Yes I'm at work on Saturday. Fun.)

I for one would like it if they would convert 21st into a two-way on that stretch up to west end. It's irritating coming into town on 21st and having to go around the cathedral to get onto west end westbound.

Noticed today they had removed both of the pay machines that had been on the lot. I guess they could be reinstalled, but why remove them if the lot is just closed for a groundbreaking?

I've only lived in nashville for a couple of years, but I've been really surprised this prime spot has been sitting here for so long. It's a fantastic location that SHOULD be able to support a really top quality development. Instead ... an empty hole

A bit off topic but interesting as a comparison ... In Atlanta, Emory University is apparently taking a very active role in pushing for light rail connecting the campus and the CDC with Marta's heavy rail system. They are pushing a roughly 8-mile line that would serve an area w appx 30,000 employees. They've apparently been pushing the idea for over 15 years and still don't have dedicated funding. But what caught my attention is the University's high profile role. Is Vandy supporting transit so publicly? From article on Emory website: Two public meetings set for early December are among the next steps in a multi-year effort to bring light rail transit to the Clifton corridor, including stops convenient to the Emory campus, Emory University Hospital and the CDC. "This effort goes back 17 years, and this is the latest required step in what has been a protracted political and community process," says Betty Willis, senior associate vice president for government and community affairs at Emory. "This project is widely viewed as critically important to support this thriving employment center, and I have no doubt it will come to fruition once funding has been identified." ... The Clifton transit project has been a key priority for Willis, who also serves as executive director of the Clifton Community Partnership and president of the Clifton Corridor Transportation Management Association. The proposed 8.8-mile light rail line would connect the Lindbergh MARTA station to the Avondale MARTA station, offering commuting options for the tens of thousands employed by Emory, the CDC, Children's Healthcare, DeKalb Medical Center and other businesses and institutions. The area is one of the largest employment centers in the metro region that is not served by either MARTA's heavy rail train system or easy access to an interstate highway, Willis notes. The CCTMA estimates the corridor is home to over 30,000 employees, with close to 50,000 cars passing through the area each day.

505CST site roped off today. No parking allowed.