Canuck87

Nashville’s Star Rises as Midsize Cities Break Into Winners and Losers "Nashville and others are thriving thanks to a mix of luck, astute political choices and well-timed investments, while cities like Birmingham, Ala., fall behind." https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/16/business/economy/nashville-birmingham-amazon.amp.html

Came across this on YouTube the other day and thought I'd share. Some nice drone footage of the construction showing an aerial view of the progress. The video is from August, so I'm sure there's been progress since then, but it's cool to see nevertheless.

I've been quiet on the board for some time, but I thought I'd chime in quickly just to say that I am excited about the H&M announcement. I've been staying with family this summer in Toronto and enjoying all the city has to offer. For those who aren't familiar with Toronto, at the center of the downtown are Dundas Square (Toronto's version of Times Square or Piccadilly Circus) and the Eaton Centre (North America's busiest mall). Facing the square and attached to the mall is a massive, three-level H&M flagship store (it is actually one of the ten largest H&Ms in the world). Like @jmtunafish said above, the flagship stores are less like fashion outlets and more like trendy department stores. In addition to having a way better selection of clothing (athletic wear, shoes, etc.), they also feature various decor items and homeware. I know the store in Toronto is constantly packed, and I think it will be a good fit for Nashville. Anyhow, here are some pics of the store here in The Six: . Here's a shot of Dundas Square. You can kind of see H&M in the background if you look closely.

"Giarratana, Shmerling partner on Midtown apartment project" Tony Giarrantana and Michael Shmerling have broken ground on Pearl Streat apartments. The "moderately priced" 50-unit complex will be located at the corner of Fisk Street and Pearl Street. Plans call for a pair of multifamily buildings with 50 one-bedroom residential units, and about half the units will rent for between $900 and $1,000. NBJ: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/02/03/giarratana-shmerling-partner-on-midtown-apartment.html Tennessean: http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2015/01/28/affordable-apartments-planned-charlotte-avenue/22499819/

I bet the ever-increasing value of the property where PSC is located will be the factor that forces its relocation. As I recall, more than half the property where the scrapyard sits is leased, and the rent is based upon the appraised value of the property. The last couple times rent was adjusted, it was very contentious, which led to lawsuits being filed. I remember one mayoral candidate mentioning the possibility of rezoning that property to mixed use in order to inflate the property value even more, as an alternative to eminent domain. At the end of the day, Carl Icahn is an investor, and like all investors, he's looking for a return on his investments. If rents and property taxes increase to the point that they cut into PSC's profitability, relocation is inevitable.

Some new drone footage of ACME from Aerial Innovations. Also features some views of Broadway, SoBro, and the CBD.

"Curious Nashville: How A Mosaic Dragon Became A Neighborhood Mascot Near Vanderbilt" Fannie Mae Dees Park — commonly known as “Dragon Park” — was created in 1978. Shortly thereafter, a Chilean-born artist living in New York named Pedro Silva was commissioned to create a public play sculpture as the park’s centerpiece. Full Story: http://nashvillepublicradio.org/post/curious-nashville-how-mosaic-dragon-became-neighborhood-mascot-near-vanderbilt#stream/0

"First look: Office tenants wanted to anchor transformed city block in Nashville" The developers of Germantown Union, located at 1324 Second Ave. N.(site of a former Goodwill warehouse), are seeking tenants for the 250,000 square feet of office space to be included as part of the large mixed-use development. The plans call for pair of 125,000 square ft. office buildings, five or six stories high, atop parking garages. They are scheduled for completion in mid- to late-2018. Altogether, the site will feature 400,000 square feet of commercial space. Article: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/01/27/first-look-office-tenants-wanted-to-anchor.html?ana=twt#g1

The Nashville subforum on Urban Planet recently went over 100,000 posts, making it the 3rd most active city on the UP boards after Charlotte, NC and Grand Rapids, MI. I have to say, even as a newer member of this community, I have already come to cherish this site and the wealth of information it provides. A big thank you to everyone who takes time to contribute. I'm constantly learning new things about our fair city thanks to the folks on here.

My parents and two younger brothers live in Toronto, and I can personally attest to the pure insanity of the construction. Officials with the province of Ontario are projecting 3.5 million new residents moving to Toronto in the next two decades. Currently, there are 20 buildings 500+ ft tall under construction and another 18 have been approved. I know a couple people on here have mentioned visiting Toronto, but I recommend any development junkie make a trip up there (preferably in summer, unless you love the cold). Aside from some Asian cities (see China), I don't know that you'll find a place experiencing more explosive urban growth. It's truly a sight to behold.

"20 townhomes, retail space planned near historic McGavock House" The project, to be located on the McGavock House portion of the former Ray of Hope Community Church property, will consist of 20 townhomes and retail space. Construction could begin within 30 days and is slated to finish this fall. Article: http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2017/01/22/20-townhomes-retail-space-planned-near-historic-mcgavock-house/96928076/

Aerial Innovations uploaded a short video of The Chelsea which features some nice shots of the building and surrounding area. Video: https://vimeo.com/200245512

Adam Sichko from the NBJ tweeted today that the TriBridge developers have secured $30M in construction financing.

"MLS expansion city profile: Nashville" From Sports Illustrated's profile of Nashville: MLS Pros The Ingrams are very wealthy, which will appeal in the MLS board room—as will the fact that Nashville is the North American headquarters for Nissan and Bridgestone. The city itself is increasingly regarded as a hip, up-and-coming tourist destination for more than just country music fans, and MLS wouldn’t mind being associated with a place that’s young and on the rise. The league wants a national footprint, and Nashville helps provide that even though it’s not a large TV market. It’s a growing city and an MLS team there would be the closest one for more than 12.5 million people across nine states. Prove soccer can make it big in the Southeast and you’ve gone a long way toward building the “soccer nation” that MLS Commissioner Don Garber frequently references. MLS Cons Without a definitive stadium plan in place this month, Nashville stands no chance of being awarded one of the next two expansion teams. That leaves it to compete with a bunch of other markets for Nos. 27 and 28—many of which are larger. And unless Ingram can secure a stadium site and the public-private partnership he referenced, Nashville won’t have much of a shot at those either. As he said, they’re just getting started. But that means there’s a lot to do before Music City can be considered a soccer city, and that smaller market like Nashville will have to blow MLS away when the next round of teams is identified. Full Article: http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/19/mls-expansion-city-nashville-john-ingram

With Metro Parks having recently completed its master plan for Two Rivers Mansion and the surrounding 11 acre site, I thought it was appropriate to post a blurb about the home's history. For those interested, the entire 150+ page master plan is available here: http://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Historic-Sites/Two-Rivers-Mansion.aspx Two Rivers Mansion , one of the last of the elaborate antebellum country homes built in the Nashville area and one of the earliest and best preserved of the ornate Italianate houses in Middle Tennessee, was once part of an 1100 acre plantation located on fertile, rolling land between the Stones and Cumberland rivers. The junction of the two rivers suggested the name given to the property by its first owner, William Harding whose family built the Belle Meade plantation in west Nashville. The mansion, built by David McGavock in 1859 on the eve of the Civil War for his beautiful bride,William (Willie) Elizabeth Harding but not finished until the 1870’s, was inhabited by the McGavock family for three generations until 1965, when the last heir died and the property was purchased by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Today the fourteen acre tract, which includes the mansion and one of Nashville’s oldest brick houses built in 1802, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Closeness to Nashville, frontage on the rivers, and the abundance of springs, wild game and rich soil made the Two Rivers property valuable from the first time it was settled in the 1790’s. Among the original owners of portions of the land was Andrew Jackson who resided close by on Hunters Hills before he purchased the Hermitage. The first home built on the property in 1802, a two-story brick house in the Federal style by David Buchanan, still stands to the rear of the larger 1859 mansion. William Harding purchased the 476 acres farm in 1819 from Willie Barrow at the confluence of the Cumberland and Stones River. Harding acquired additional land totaling 1100 acres before settling down and marrying local Elizabeth Clopton in 1830; he died in 1832 shortly before their only child was born. Daughter William Elizabeth Harding named in honor of her parents, would inherit the plantation upon her marriage to her cousin David H. McGavock in 1850. The young couple and their one son, Frank, lived in the 1802 house while they planned and built the mansion in their backyard which was finished in 1859. One can see the names “David, Willie and Frank” stamped in three of the bricks on the back porch. The bricks and the millwork were crafted on the plantation by slave labor. In the 1880’s the thriving estate was known as the Two Rivers Stock Farm with livestock, garden, orchard, a dairy operation, fox hunting and also the center for Morgan horse breeding. One document states that there were over fifty buildings on the property at one time such as barns, horse stalls, tenant houses and sheds. Many of these buildings were destroyed by a tornado in 1933. Frank McGavock took possession of the farm for a short time period in the late 1890’s, which was near bankruptcy after the financial Panic of 1893 and subsequent severe depression. To keep from losing the property, Frank’s only son Spence, inherited the estate and leased out the farm in the early 1900s while he worked as a shoe salesman. Spence McGavock married Mary Louise Bransford of Melrose in 1928. The couple remodeled the mansion, adding plumbing, electricity and heat. They lived at Two Rivers only four years, though, returning to her family home at Melrose , after her mother’s death in 1933. Three years later in 1936 Spence McGavock died, and for the next eighteen years his widow remained at Melrose while caretakers continued the Two Rivers farming operations. Mary Louise Bransford McGavock returned to Two Rivers in 1954, where she said she had always been happiest and remained until the time of her death in November 1965, the last of the McGavock family. Her will named several family members, friends and employees as beneficiaries. She also instructed that the remainder of her estate be sold to be used for the operation or expansion of the Division of Hermatology at Vanderbilt Hospital and Medical School. This research fund, named the William S. Bransford Fund in honor of her father, is still providing assistance.

A 3D rendering of the downtown projects that have been approved or are under construction, courtesy of the metro government.

"Ryman plots huge water park at Opryland" The design includes a three-story building featuring multiple water-based attractions, including slides and an outdoor wave pool, as well as food-and-beverage outlets. The facility will encompass what is presently a large parking lot at the north end of the resort. Article: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/01/18/exclusive-ryman-plots-huge-waterpark-at-opryland.html?ana=RSS%26s%3Darticle_search&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

"Lower Broadway restaurant building sold for hefty gain" STORY HIGHLIGHTS In fall 2014, The Ardent Cos. paid $5 million for the former Boots ’n’ More store at 312 Broadway. That purchase was followed by $2 million in renovations for The Valentine, which opened early last year. Now locally based Alpha Development LLC has paid $10 million for the 11,400 square foot property. That purchase price equates to roughly $877 a square foot. Article: http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2017/01/18/lower-broadway-restaurant-building-sold-hefty-gain/96716620/

"Metro explores downtown Nashville's east bank extension" STORY HIGHLIGHTS Extending the Downtown Code across the Cumberland River to the east bank is one option. This would allow the developer to build above an existing cap of 15 stories. MDHA is considering a new redevelopment district, which could allow tax incentives. Metro would be key in helping to build a pedestrian bridge over the Cumberland River to Germantown. Article: http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson /2017/01/16/metro-explores-downtown-nashvilles-east-bank-extension/96449526/

After scrolling back through several pages of this thread, it seems like the majority are hardly “all in” when it comes to the current transit plan. In fact, most posts are simply people stating what they would like to see built, without much reference to the current proposal. I, for one, am a HUGE proponent of public transit, but I also think nashville_bound is absolutely right about being thoughtful and deliberate. Really, there are two countervailing considerations that different people are focusing in on: the need to get out in front of a looming problem and the need to have a well-thought-out plan. As others have previously noted, it's not uncommon for cities to be reactionary, rather than proactive, when it comes to issues like this. Despite the declining traffic situation, our problems could be much worse (as our friends on this site from other cities--DC, Charlotte, Atlanta--often remind us). I think the "build-it-now" sentiment that nashville_bound is sensing is the result of folks not wanting to wait until things are completely out-of-hand before addressing the transportation situation. At the same time, this is clearly a substantial project, and one that could have a positive (or negative) impact on our city for decades to come. Obviously, overspending is a major concern, but so is having an insufficient response. For all we know, the $6 billion plan could prove to be inadequate after proper vetting. I mean, how many times have we seen Nashville developers opt for the more conservative proposal, only to find that they woulda/coulda/shoulda done more? Ultimately, I think we all want to see Nashville thrive, and transit will be an important component of the city's future success. I think we all can afford to level down the hostility and carry on a civil discourse about this subject.

I saw this picture of the Sulfur Dell ballpark from 1908. I know this isn't a "revitalized building" per se, but more of a revitalized location. The pic may have been posted in the past, but I thought it was cool and worth sharing just in case.

A picture of the ongoing work on the Fairlane Hotel from a few days back.

Visit Music City produced a short montage showing Nashville's ranking on various lists. The clip features lots of great aerial views of the city.

From what I can tell, the BTS Skytrain in Bankgkok, which began operating in 1999, is the most recently constructed elevated rapid transit system. The solid concrete-looking supports may not be the most aesthetically pleasing design, but overall, I don't think it's too unsightly. In fact, I tend to agree with Neigeville2 that having above ground trains could be cool. My number one preference would still have to be a conventional underground metro, like most cities. But if forced to choose between above ground rapid transit and no rapid transit, I would accept a skytrain.

"45 condos/flats, retail project eyed for Inglewood area" A Hendersonville-based developer has purchased 1.2 acres on East Trinity Lane for $1 million. The preliminary plans call for a 41,000-square foot mixed-use building consisting of 45 one- and two-bedroom condos/flats and roughly 6,000 square feet of commercial space for retail or restaurant use. The developer hopes to start construction early next year. My favorite part of the article: "With the number of properties that’s been sold and rezoned recently, we feel like it’s going to be a good, new walkable neighborhood.” Hoping that's the case. http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/real-estate/2017/01/12/45-condosflats-retail-project-eyed-inglewood-area/96505624/