Inner Loop - CBD, Downtown, East Bank, Germantown, Gulch, Rutledge

[arkitekte]

Hall of Fame park to get upgrade. From the Post.

https://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2014/9/12/sobro_civic_space_to_get_2m_upgrade

 

That's good to see. The better Nashville's parks and public places the better overall for downtown, SoBro, etc. 

[fieldmarshaldj]

I think the park needs a great big majestic statue smack in the middle of it. Something heroic.

[UTgrad09]

I think the park needs a great big majestic statue smack in the middle of it. Something heroic.

Dolly Parton's bust.

[donNdonelson2]

But none of the new landscaping would grow in the dense shade of Dolly's Sculptural Bustline!

[BnaBreaker]

Way too small, but it's a start:

 

[titanhog]

Way too small, but it's a start:

 

You can tell those are fake!! 

[bwithers1]

I remain unconvinced that this bridge will have enough visibility to really connect the Music City Center roundabout to the Gulch. It will basically go from Cummins Station's parking lot to the Back side of Velocity, right? That's why people have a hard time seeing it as anything other than a secret passageway for Gulch residents. If I am reading the map correctly, there are quite a few buildings that are going to stand or be built between the bridge and the roundabout, including a really large hotel. If this bridge did a better job of aligning with streets in a more obvious way, I might get more excited about the connectivity aspect. As it is, the least complicated route from downtown/SOBRO would be to stay on Demonbreun and hang a left at 10th Ave South. The other streets are pretty narrow, and as they receive more development, they will get less friendly for bikes, not more, owing to increased traffic.

But again, I just don't see tons of pedestrians seeing a clear line to get to this bridge from downtown, and so at that point they might as well stay on Demonbreun and use the Gulch Crossings stairs.

One other question: what is the policy going to be for blocking this bridge for weddings and events? That really is how I see this being used: as an event space.

If I am not mistaken, the HighLine was an abandoned elevated rail line to begin with. So refurbishing something that is already constructed and is otherwise an eyesore is totally different from creating something from scratch that serves a limited geographic area that already has several access points.

Edited September 14, 2014 by bwithers1

[donNdonelson2]

Perfectly reasoned and well worded response to the Gulch bridge issue!  Sadly, short of an uprising from Metro residents to their council representatives, I see little to stop this "bridge to nowhere."  As a long time resident of the Donelson area, I've been supportive and proud of the investments our city has made in downtown--upgrades and additions to the riverfront, the new convention center, additional parking options, Church Street Park, contributions toward the construction of the symphony hall, etc.,  but I do NOT support this project.  It is far too expensive and serves much too limited a purpose.

[satalac]

Way too small, but it's a start:

 

Is that a trashcan behind it or um......a.......

[Bezoar]

A crane has been set up at the 909 Flats (across from the Farmer's Market) for a little over a week, and it's starting to go vertical. 

 

 

Edited September 15, 2014 by Bezoar

[vinemp]

You kill me softly, ruraljuror, with your mention of specific elements in the Gulch and in SoBro that stand to benefit from greater connectivity. 

 

But, my fellow urbanplanet...ers, I'm a bit disgruntled that I didn't receive such emphatic accord when I (perhaps too subtly?) presented the very same argument earlier.

 

[Vrtigo]

Hall of Fame park to get upgrade. From the Post.

https://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2014/9/12/sobro_civic_space_to_get_2m_upgrade

 

Hopefully they will modify the benches, etc. to make them less appealing for overnight "guests". I typically shortcut through there when I bike to work and can't remember a morning with less than three individuals passed out at various locations within the park. Their presence can't be good for tourist foot-traffic.

[BnaBreaker]

You kill me softly, ruraljuror, with your mention of specific elements in the Gulch and in SoBro that stand to benefit from greater connectivity. 

 

But, my fellow urbanplanet...ers, I'm a bit disgruntled that I didn't receive such emphatic accord when I (perhaps too subtly?) presented the very same argument earlier.

 

Well ruraljuror paid me and you didn't!

[ruraljuror]

I remain unconvinced that this bridge will have enough visibility to really connect the Music City Center roundabout to the Gulch. It will basically go from Cummins Station's parking lot to the Back side of Velocity, right? That's why people have a hard time seeing it as anything other than a secret passageway for Gulch residents. If I am reading the map correctly, there are quite a few buildings that are going to stand or be built between the bridge and the roundabout, including a really large hotel. If this bridge did a better job of aligning with streets in a more obvious way, I might get more excited about the connectivity aspect. As it is, the least complicated route from downtown/SOBRO would be to stay on Demonbreun and hang a left at 10th Ave South. The other streets are pretty narrow, and as they receive more development, they will get less friendly for bikes, not more, owing to increased traffic.

But again, I just don't see tons of pedestrians seeing a clear line to get to this bridge from downtown, and so at that point they might as well stay on Demonbreun and use the Gulch Crossings stairs.

One other question: what is the policy going to be for blocking this bridge for weddings and events? That really is how I see this being used: as an event space.

If I am not mistaken, the HighLine was an abandoned elevated rail line to begin with. So refurbishing something that is already constructed and is otherwise an eyesore is totally different from creating something from scratch that serves a limited geographic area that already has several access points.

 

vinemp--sorry, didn't mean to steal your thunder.

bwithers--I think you make some fair points.  I especially agree that the bridge would be more effective if it were more naturally aligned with the surrounding streets. 

That said, I have a hard time believing that the bridge will be both a secret passageway and a destination that's so picturesque and popular that it becomes a wedding photo hot spot.  Yes, there will be some potential visibility issues as a result of some of the very development we hope the bridge will entice, but even then the bridge will still be visible from inside those buildings where many of the would be bridge-crossers will be staying/convening.  It won't be a very well kept secret.

Additionally, as far as visibility is concerned, it's worth noting that the broad side of the bridge appears to face the tip of pie town and the southeastern side of KVB, which are other areas that will greatly benefit from the increased connectivity with the Gulch in terms of the kinds of development they can attract.  The viaduct may be the 'least complicated route from downtonwn' but walking all the way to Demonbreun in order to get to the Gulch won't be the least complicated route for anyone exiting the MCC at the roundabout or for anyone staying in these newly developed areas that the bridge faces and would help to activate.

 

More importantly, when you say 'they might as well stay on Demonbreun' I think you get to the heart of the matter.  While you and I may agree that walking along the viaduct is a perfectly safe and reasonable option for getting from the Gulch to Sobro, that doesn't mean we're the norm (as is evidenced by the current lack of urban continuity/pedestrian traffic between the two areas) and certainly doesn't meet the expectations of the typical 5 star hotel guest.  Why should we cater to the needs of 5 star hotel guests?  Because 5 star hotels are in the business of catering to 5 star hotel guests, and right now we as a city are in the business of attracting 5 star hotels like a 500 million dollar bet depends on it.

 

We know the MCC needs more full service hotels in order to accommodate bigger and more profitable conventions.  We know the demand is there if we can get more hotels built.  We know there have been several top hotel chains who've expressed interest in the Gulch.  We also know that high-end hotels have thus far been reluctant to build on KVB and to the south of the MCC.  I don't know if the bridge will be the catalyst that causes a Four Seasons or the equivalent to break ground in the Gulch.  Similarly, I don't know if greater connectivity to the amenities of the Gulch will be enough to get a high end hotel chain to take a chance in the less developed areas near the new roundabout.  In both cases, however, the pedestrian bridge would certainly increase the probability by more than enough to justify a 15 million dollar investment considering what's at stake. 

[smeagolsfree]

First Baptist site back on the market.

From the NBJ.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/real-estate/2014/09/first-baptist-church-site-up-for-grabs-again.html

[smeagolsfree]

Ballpark garage construction to start next month. From the Post.

https://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2014/9/15/mid_october_groundbreaking_slated_for_ballpark_garage

[titanhog]

First Baptist site back on the market.

From the NBJ.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/real-estate/2014/09/first-baptist-church-site-up-for-grabs-again.html

So...I wonder what the church's issue with the two offers was?  Both offers met the minimum money (at least $15 Mil)...so it must be something like allowing the church X number of parking spaces in the hotel's parking structure?

[bigeasy]

Since we are on the topic of bridges....I was riding to the Titans game Sunday from Percy Warner Park. When I got to downtown they would not let me on either the Pedestrian bridge or Woodland St bridge unless I walked my bike.  I get that there are lots of people on the Pedestrian, so I was going to avoid that anyways, but it makes no sense to me on why I could not go on the Woodland. (which is closed to traffic on gameday). I had to ride across James Roberston, which was VERY sketchy because of all the stop and go traffic. This really has nothing to do with the topic, just my frustration with how little the city seems to care for cyclist. 

 

Side note: It is much easier to get to the Gulch going 8th than Demonbreun since you are just taking right hand turns. Demonberun is not the best once you get past 12 ave since there are so many people merging onto and off the road. 

[colasc]

 Visitor here from the Columbia, SC forum. I'll be in Nashville this weekend for South Carolina's game with Vandy, and was hoping for some suggestions on "must try" bars and restaurants. I've been to your fair city twice, and it is really a jewel! I've been looking forward to my return for months. We are staying on Demonbreun, and this will be our first time outside the main tourist area around Broadway. I am really wanting to explore the Gulch, and hope that our hotel will be well situated to doing that on foot. Thanks in advance for any advice.    

[Nashville Cliff]

 Visitor here from the Columbia, SC forum. I'll be in Nashville this weekend for South Carolina's game with Vandy, and was hoping for some suggestions on "must try" bars and restaurants. I've been to your fair city twice, and it is really a jewel! I've been looking forward to my return for months. We are staying on Demonbreun, and this will be our first time outside the main tourist area around Broadway. I am really wanting to explore the Gulch, and hope that our hotel will be well situated to doing that on foot. Thanks in advance for any advice.    

 

Enjoy your visit!  Sounds like you will be close enough to easily explore the Gulch and the rest of downtown by foot.  Lots of food and bar options.  Here's a link to most in or near the Gulch.  I really like Sambuca and The Pub, though I also hear great things about 404 and Kayne Prime.  Be sure to check out the Yazoo or Jackalope brewery tap rooms.  Also, you can use the free green circulator bus to get around the area.

 

http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/47/6753/Nashville/The-Gulch-restaurants

Edited September 16, 2014 by Nashville Cliff

[nashmoney]

 Visitor here from the Columbia, SC forum. I'll be in Nashville this weekend for South Carolina's game with Vandy, and was hoping for some suggestions on "must try" bars and restaurants. I've been to your fair city twice, and it is really a jewel! I've been looking forward to my return for months. We are staying on Demonbreun, and this will be our first time outside the main tourist area around Broadway. I am really wanting to explore the Gulch, and hope that our hotel will be well situated to doing that on foot. Thanks in advance for any advice.    

 

Hello and I hope you enjoy our wonderful city. If you are staying at the Comfort Inn on Demonbreun, there are a ton of bars/restaurants right across the Street (Tin roof, Two Bits -a bar that has old school video games, Dan Mcguinness, just to name a few). Also the gulch is about two blocks from that hotel.

 

Take a look at the following webistes and they may help you plan your stay:

 

http://www.explorethegulch.com/ (my favorites are Whiskey kitchen, Hops+Crafts, and Cantina Laredo)

 

http://www.thrillist.com/nashville

Edited September 16, 2014 by nashmoney

[e-dub]

make sure to carve some time out for a bar called the patterson house.

[Nashville Cliff]

make sure to carve some time out for a bar called the patterson house.

 

I'd suggest instead catching a cab to No. 308 or Holland House, both in East Nashville, and having an expertly crafted cocktail without all the smug attitude.

[Paramount747]

Welcome to Nashville! Hope you enjoy your stay. 12 South is also a short drive with some amazing bars and restaurants.

[nashvillwill]

I'd suggest instead catching a cab to No. 308 or Holland House, both in East Nashville, and having an expertly crafted cocktail without all the smug attitude.

I actually haven't been to Patterson House, although it's on my short list. I just wanted to respond to agree with you 100% about Holland House. They make some mighty fine drinks there. Every now and then my wife and I walk down just for a cocktail and nothing else.