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edb2n

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Posts posted by edb2n

  1. One of the unintended consequences of forcing aesthetics on people is that what looks good now, may not look good in ten, twenty, or fifty years. Aesthetics is a realm of subjectivity.

    I'm not sure I completely agree with that. There is no doubt that fashions and tastes change. And what's cutting edge design today can be hopelessly dated tomorrow. However, there are certain things that won't ever change. For instance, having huge garish signs that are 50' high, chain link fences, buildings made of bricko block or metal sheeting, dead plants or grass, etc. These things are never going to be attractive no matter how much tastes change.

  2. I'm not sure I can provide logical or well researched input here.

    All I know is that I'm very picky about the way things look. The way my home and lawn and neighborhood look, etc. I have a strong desire to be surrounded by people who do the same. My wife and I moved out of Lake Forest in La Vergne because of too many people who took no pride in the appearance of their home and yard, not to mention the anything goes development policy of the city. We selected Murfreesboro (and particularly the area and neighborhood we're in) specifically because of the design guidelines, zoning laws, and HOA Restrictions. I would be very upset to see them weakened or rescinded. I guess the only thing I can say is that if people want to develop or do things a certain way, they shouldn't buy into an area where those things aren't allowed.

  3. I know you didn't ask my opinion, but I don't see them as curtailing property rights. In fact, I wish they were more strict. I have a right to live in an aesthetically pleasing place where my property value will be protected by a common set of guidelines. If you don't want to live in a place like that, well, there's always LaVergne...

  4. And once this location opens, that should be all of the openings in this area for a while. Publix's intrest has shifted to Chattanooga where a major expansion into that market is taking shape. This from a more than reliable source within the company of course.

    I believe there is one planned for the corner of Hwy 99 and St. Andrews. I saw a sign there several weeks ago. I was surprised because it is so close to the one on 96.

  5. People keep saying that the Avenue is upscale. I'm just not seeing it. It's just a glorified strip mall.

    That's not really true. A lot of the stores coming in there (Talbots, Jos. A Bank, Coldwater Creek, Brighton, etc.), only have locations at Green Hills and Cool Springs. Granted, it's not Versace or Prada, but it's pretty upscale for this area.

  6. I'm afraid I fail to see what Bible Park USA has in common with the Avenue. The Avenue is an upmarket, well-planned, and beautifully designed shopping destination. Shopping is a necessity in any city, town, or suburb. It was a placed on a major thoroughfare with quick access to an interstate in a commercial area. It will allow those of us who live in Murfreesboro to stop having to drive 30 minutes to Green Hills to find any decent stores. It will also increase property values of those of us who live nearby.

    Bible Park, on the other hand, is a cheap, trashy Theme Park dumped in the middle of a residential area with no regard for traffic or the effect on nearby homeowners. It will destroy property values. And a theme park is certainly not a necessity for every city, town, or suburb. I imagine it will bring in mostly day visitors; I can't imagine many people planning a week's vacation around it. Nor can I picture it being a big draw for locals.

    I just don't see how they are related.

  7. The Farmer's Market opens at 6 a.m. It's pretty common for people to stop by on their way to work. I've also heard that a lot of the farmers set up the night before, so you can purchase stuff on Monday or Friday evening. I've not tried that, though.

  8. I don't think Publix is much more expensive than Kroger, really. The little difference in price is more than made up for (in my mind) by the far superior service. I've never been to a grocery store where the employees are as friendly and eager to help as those at Publix. Good luck trying to find anyone to help you at Kroger.

    We were in Publix (Smyrna store) about a week ago, and my wife was looking for wheat germ. Three different employees (including the manager) helped us scour the store looking for it. When we finally realized they didn't have the kind she needed, they told us they would go to Wild Oats and pick it up for us. Apparently they have a book up front, and if there's anything they don't carry that you want, just sign the book. They'll go to Kroger, Wal-Mart, Wild Oats, Harris Teeter, or wherever and get it for you. Then you just buy it from Publix next time you're in.

    I can't wait till the one by me opens next fall!

  9. Five Senses is my favorite local, "non-chain" place. It's a chef-owned restaraunt with pretty high end fare and a changing menu. It's one of the few places in Murfreesboro for foodies. It's not as good as Margot in East Nashville, but it's good that we have something like that.

    Also, Bangcok Cafe is one the best Thai Restaraunt I've ever been to anywhere. They used to be on the square, but I believe they have recently moved to Robert Rose Drive.

  10. snobs? please.

    there are alot of good people in Belle Meade/Forrest Hills... -_-

    Of course, there are good people there; I have friends that live in Forest Hills. But there's definitely a sense of elitism, especially in Belle Meade. That's old money Nashville society, and they don't take that lightly.

  11. The only reason Belle Meade and Forest Hills are not included is the snob factor. The residents of those cities will never concede to being a part of Metro Nashville. However, some services are county wide and some are city specific. It's rather confusing. For instance, they are all in Metro Nashville Schools, but Belle Meade has their own police. Of course, there's no crime in Belle Meade. Their only job is to keep the poor people out.

  12. Well, the library was in dire need of a face lift, which it did receive. The good news is that the carpet is no longer stained, worn or ripped, and the walls aren't dirty. The bad news is that 1991 called and said it wanted it's color scheme back. There was obviously no thought put into this renovation. They slapped some white paint on the walls and some ugly blue and burgundy carpet on the floors and called it finished. I would like to have seen them do something very tasty and artistic. It's possible to do that only cosmetically, without much money. Even the LaVergne Library has a great interior. But oh well.

  13. I agree with much of what you said, but if the developer owns the property, I believe he alone should decide how it should be developed, safety laws aside. Aesthetics by government committee is not evidence of a society of liberty-possessing individuals.

    I understand what you are saying, and I am definitely a smaller governement proponent in general. However, I personally disagree with you on this issue. I wish Murfreesboro put more restrictions on signage, aesthetic controls, various codes, etc. We moved to Murf. a little over a year ago for the specific reason that the city and the subdivision we built in were very strict on what was allowed. We moved away from LaVergne because anything went there. Our property value, not to mention the pride and joy we took in our surroundings was eroded constantly there. I think decisions have to be made for the greater good in this area. If the aesthetics (and therefore property values and even quality of life to some degree) are going to be improved, it is in everyone's best interest.

    Changing the topic a little bit, I think there are good things going on in Murfreesboro. At least the phrase "mixed-use" is in the lexicon now. There is certainly sprawl, but people are beginning to be aware of the problems there, and there have been some steps in the right direction. It's very difficult to overcome sprawl in a city like Murfreesboro (or any new city in the South or West). Public transportation is virtually impossible in any sense that would affect the public at large. We just don't have the population density to make it happen. As gas gets more expensive, our problem will become more and more urgent. I don't know if we can maintain this lifestyle into the forseeable future. But it will require a complete paradigm shift to overcome it. As well as a lot of tearing down and rebuilding of our cities.

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