AUNash

I flew out this morning and got to the airport at 6:30. There was a crazy, crazy long line of people checking in at Southwest. Was there some kind of convent that wrapped up today? It was insane. But thankfully I had my boarding pass. And I happen to have precheck so got through security in just 10 minutes. Precheck is the best $85 I gave ever spent.

On 6th Ave a cross from City Center.

This may be heresy ... But I think Hume-Fogg desperately needs an attached green space. I think there would be something really positive about seeing a green field on the back of the HF property. I like the notion of an active old school in the center of the city. And seeing the kids running track or what have you on the back field would be a good addition.

I used to live in Atlanta, and many there would say the same thing about the fact that legislators from the rest of Georgia almost actively try to hold ATL back.

I guess that makes sense. Here's a pic I snapped today.

I was driving by Firestone this week and saw some sort of sign indicating the property was for sale, lease, or something like that.

I agree that the baggage claim area feels cramped and too confined. But other than that feeling, I've never had any trouble collecting bags here, and I fly a lot. I would like to see them somehow make the area bigger too, but I don't see it as a critical failure of the airport.

So since I don't really know much about how airports are run ... What does this mean? Has the airport NOT been run by the city in the past? What is the difference in the two oversight models?

I noticed the following list on Southwest's website: Top Ten Cities by Departures City - No of daily departures - no of gates - nonstop destinations Chicago (Midway) - 247 - 35 - 67 Las Vegas - 213 - 24 -58 Baltimore- 200 - 28 - 61 Dallas (Love Field) - 180 - 18 - 51 Denver - 179 - 22 - 56 Phoenix- 163 - 24 - 48 Houston (Hobby) - 156 - 19 - 50 Atlanta - 122 - 18 - 37 Los Angeles - 121 - 15 - 26 Oakland -106 - 13 -23 So Oakland is number 10 at 106 departures. We have 90 departures a day from 10 gates to 33 cities. Sure would love to crack their top 10. Wonder how feasible that would be. Does their entry into ATL make it less likely they would continue to build at BNA?

Think you can begin to see the glass pattern emerging.

Westin and JW sites this morning.

Three cranes!

Do we have enough gate space available for that? I would have thought that, with the growth we have seen from SW, there isn't enough room left for another substantial hub operation.

I drive through this intersection every morning. This thing definitely makes a huge change in the feeling of the space. Definitely is feeling more urban. I am liking this project more and more as I see it growing.

Hmm. Sunset. Does that imply a western destination?

This is going to have a bigger visual impact than I had been envisioning when the project was announced. Coupled with the JW, this part of 8th is going to be dramatic. Can't wait!

HCA progress

Progress on Eakin bldg at 12th and Demonbreun

Stix westin Trying again ... Stix Another shot of Westin from KVB

Goodyear gone at Cambria location. UMC bldg at JW Marriott site this morning. Westin rising in the background. Another shot.

I eat there all the time. Heard that the sale contract did not guarantee a spot in the final project for a Noshville location and that it is unlikely there will be a spot. Some of the staff are under the impression that the midtown location will not be reopening. Selfishly, I hate this bc I've got find a new place to get my eggs!

Ugh ... Maybe I'm just in a grumpy mood this morning, but a three story LED billboard is just about the last thing I want to look at there. I think this will be an eyesore. My two cents ...

Making progress on Buckingham Aertson

Notice how the naming rights on the tower go to "Global Industry"? Just wondering - has anyone heard anything more about the proposed Fortune 50 or whatever it was that was considering Nashville? This location and development would be a great spot for a high profile corp relocation ...