Bridgestone Arena: further development of property

[markhollin]

Some more from the early days of the Nashville Arena Advisory Team:

A note from Mayor Bredesen after Metro Council on passed the arena allocation resolution 32-5 in June of 1993:
 

The groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 20,  1994:

Early render/diagrams for Arena in 1993:

[Bos2Nash]

I went ahead and moved the Music City Mile conversation to the East Bank thread as it would quickly derail from Bridgestone.

[TNinVB]

Looking at these old pictures of the arena reminded me of something about its exterior lighting. Remember when it had spotlights on the roof that beamed up into the sky? Are they still used?

[donNdonelson2]

1 hour ago, TNinVB said:

Looking at these old pictures of the arena reminded me of something about its exterior lighting. Remember when it had spotlights on the roof that beamed up into the sky? Are they still used?

I loved those! I’m guessing they were sacrificed in the furtherance of the cause of the “dark skies” movement.

[Luvemtall]

I know I’m about to go out on a limb that’s probably going to break, but I’m just not buying into this “Dark Skies “ thing. I can fully support and understand such a move out in the country, but cities are meant to be bright and vibrant. There’s plenty of open dark spaces around, and why is it so important anyway? 

[BnaBreaker]

53 minutes ago, Luvemtall said:

I know I’m about to go out on a limb that’s probably going to break, but I’m just not buying into this “Dark Skies “ thing. I can fully support and understand such a move out in the country, but cities are meant to be bright and vibrant. There’s plenty of open dark spaces around, and why is it so important anyway? 

I too am curious to know more about this initiative.  I love a good dark sky... I mean, who isn't... been to some great dark sky parks around the country!  But like you said Luvemtall, a city isn't expected or meant to have a dark sky... and even if you did shut off ALL non-essential lighting in a city like Nashville, you'd still have an orange-ish hue to the night sky, so why bother?  

[glamdring269]

Somewhat relevant to the discussion of dark skies... I have this for Death Valley but you can zoom out and see anywhere. Pretty amazing once you zoom out and see the eastern half of the US vs. the west.

https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=9.29&lat=36.6865&lon=-117.1690&state=eyJiYXNlbWFwIjoiTGF5ZXJCaW5nUm9hZCIsIm92ZXJsYXkiOiJ3YV8yMDE1Iiwib3ZlcmxheWNvbG9yIjpmYWxzZSwib3ZlcmxheW9wYWNpdHkiOjYwLCJmZWF0dXJlc29wYWNpdHkiOjg1fQ==

 

[TNinVB]

21 hours ago, donNdonelson2 said:

I loved those! I’m guessing they were sacrificed in the furtherance of the cause of the “dark skies” movement.

Haha so that’s why Nashville is so lacking for exterior lighting on its towers.  

[SoundScan]

There are some observatories in the Middle Tennessee area, including the Vanderbilt-operated Dyer observatory near Radnor Lake, so perhaps the "Dark Skies" initiative was helpful in that respect. 

[PillowTalk4]

On 1/22/2024 at 8:58 PM, TNinVB said:

Looking at these old pictures of the arena reminded me of something about its exterior lighting. Remember when it had spotlights on the roof that beamed up into the sky? Are they still used?

I could be wrong , but I thought they were only turned on when the arena was in use.   Are they not even doing that anymore?

The one time that lighting really stood out to me was on an evening when there was a concert being held there (I think it was Toni Braxton and Kenny G when they toured and performed together).  I believe it was the winter of 1997.  It snowed that night as well and remember when the concert was over and people were walking out many stopped to look up at those lights because it was magical to see how it created the appearance of snow columns.  A group of us walked over to the Renaissance for cocktails on the bridge bar over Commerce St.  and there was still a lite snow falling when we left so I drove down Broadway to take in the site again before heading home.  Others appeared to be doing the same.  I think the Tennessean had a photo in the paper the next day as well.

[GregH]

I don't know where they are but someone downtown still uses spotlights, I can see them sometimes from my house in West Nashville when it's cloudy.

[TNinVB]

21 minutes ago, GregH said:

I don't know where they are but someone downtown still uses spotlights, I can see them sometimes from my house in West Nashville when it's cloudy.

There are/were 6 of them. They were stationary and basically beamed straight up into the sky. Looked pretty cool from afar when lit. 

[donNdonelson2]

Finally found an old internet pic (rendering?)

Edited January 27 by donNdonelson2

[TNinVB]

On 1/26/2024 at 11:16 PM, donNdonelson2 said:

Finally found an old internet pic (rendering?)

Yes! I was trying to find that with no luck. 

On 1/26/2024 at 11:16 PM, donNdonelson2 said:

Finally found an old internet pic (rendering?)

I never really thought about this until seeing this picture, but intentional or not, the 6 lights look like the strings on a guitar fret. 

Edited January 28 by TNinVB

[markhollin]

The Nashville Predators are unveiling Bridgestone Arena’s most amenity-focused premium club offering to date.

The Studio, a more than $2 million transformation, will be located in 4,000 square feet of space on the lower suite level of Bridgestone Arena — giving guests a front row seat to entertainment.

Members of the 84-seat space will have access to all Nashville Predators games and most Bridgestone Arena events and enjoy all-inclusive food and beverage with boutique suite style service.

Membership is $50,000 annually. The Predators and Bridgestone Arena are accepting deposits of $500 per seat to secure availability.

Studio membership includes Stanley Cup Playoff access, NCAA Tournament games hosted at Bridgestone, SEC Tournament access, dedicated account specialist, VIP parking for every two memberships purchased, 10 standing-room passes, access to presale for additional tickets to Bridgestone Arena events, premium trip experience for members, use of Bridgestone Arena meeting rooms, access to premium partner events and exclusive offers.

The Studio will open in October with the Nashville Predators 2024-25 season.

The Studio joins other premium offerings at Bridgestone Arena including the Lexus Lounge, EuroStone Club, Yuengling Flight Deck and Luxury Suites.

More at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2024/04/08/nashville-predators-studio-bridgestone-arena.html