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

[smeagolsfree]

28 minutes ago, Baronakim said:

Why bother saving this?  This is a piece of junk of no architectural significance of beauty and dubious historic value IMO.  This would have been better suited  as part of an urban park all the way down the hill to the riverbanks.  Really, do we need more housing on Rolling Mill Hill?

 

[nashwatcher]

Is it possible this could be turned into a big urban park? With a connection to the boat area park they're creating?

[smeagolsfree]

They have no idea why they bought it. Thoughts were affordable housing and at one time the Nashville School of the Arts. There is a huge need for more affordable housing and Metro makes poor choices with the land they own.

[Nashvillain]

1 hour ago, Baronakim said:

Why bother saving this?  This is a piece of junk of no architectural significance of beauty and dubious historic value IMO.  This would have been better suited  as part of an urban park all the way down the hill to the riverbanks.  Really, do we need more housing on Rolling Mill Hill?

 

We need more housing everywhere... Why not more on Rolling Mill Hill? 

[Baronakim]

1 hour ago, Nashvillain said:

We need more housing everywhere... Why not more on Rolling Mill Hill? 

Because there is PLENTY of land available, vacant or underutilized, all over the Nashville landscape, but only a limited amount close in for parklands.   All of the housing you value so highly MUST have a balancing factor of open land for recreation.  As we are not likely to develop an effective transportation network to transport residences from housing hives to outlying pastoral refuges anytime in the relative future, it seems to me imperative to devote land like the riverbank forest and the old open spaces like this one to parkland.  No one is reasonably going to demolish 30 acres of developed new housing to create open spaces after all the land just outside the highrise core is covered with cookiecutter five to six story residential boxes.  That is my opinion, though I will not live long enough to see if my thoughts have merit.

Edited June 9, 2022 by Baronakim

[markhollin]

200 Broadway (Chief's, 6 stories,  concept bar/restaurant with 200 capacity music venue) progress: signage wrapping the first floor.

Looking north from intersection of Lower Broadway and 2nd Ave. North:

[GregH]

21 hours ago, markhollin said:

C3 Bank out of California will open its first Nashville office in Nashville in the former King Baby Jewelry Building  at 615 9th Ave. South.  They  paid $7.1 million for it along with the adjoining 611 9th Ave. South  (another 1 story structure home to Chef & I (which will be relocating). The bank will renovate and make an addition to the current structure which will eventually be a 6,140 sq. ft. space on a single floor, employing 5-10 people.  Pfeffer Torode will be the architect with Urban Cowboy doing interior design.  

“It is intended to be a business hub where local deal making, transaction and general business is conducted among the Nashville community,” said. A.J. Moyer, C3 Bank president and CEO. 

With the way this neighborhood is percolating, it appears they paid way too much for this 1/3 acre site and just to convert a small structure into a bank branch.  Perhaps they have something more substantial in mind for the long term.

 

 

Maybe just their founder moved to Tennessee and wants somewhere cool to work out of

"Michael Persall is a Founder and Chairman of ABP Capital, C3 Capital, and affiliate companies. Michael is also Chairman of the Board of Directors for C3bank. In addition, he is President of the 482-home Master Plan Development, Hideaway at Arrington, located south of Nashville, Tennessee in Williamson County"

[markhollin]

Mansion & Overton (renovating 1 story, 7,000 sq. ft. space to retail/restaurant) update: first section for Rumble Boxing nearly complete.

Looking west from Overton St., 1/2 bock north of Division St:

Looking SW from intersection of Overton and Mansion Streets:

[bwithers1]

On 6/9/2022 at 7:07 AM, Baronakim said:

Why bother saving this?  This is a piece of junk of no architectural significance of beauty and dubious historic value IMO.  This would have been better suited  as part of an urban park all the way down the hill to the riverbanks.  Really, do we need more housing on Rolling Mill Hill?

 

“Architectural value” is probably best arbitrated by architects, and Metro commissioners who are architects have argued for saving the building for its architectural value.

Dr. Learotha Williams provided information about the historic significance of the structure during last Friday’s joint Metro Council committee meeting about this structure. That information is available in the video along with the presentation from Metro Parks about how this site can relate to and enhance Wharf Park and future greenway connections. The discussion about Wharf Park’s riverfront access is described in good detail in the committee meeting video footage 

We do need housing downtown along corridors to support bus service and this is a key location to do that. If Metro did not buy this property, private developers would likely have bought the property, demolished the historic structure and put housing there. As things stand, now that Metro owns it we can work with MDHA, who has an adjacent parcel, to program the entire site comprehensively for better designed affordable housing and a better designed Wharf Park entrance while we explore future uses of the building, which is not in as bad of shape as I had feared. I have attached some of my photos from the Metro Council tour last Friday.

Edited June 10, 2022 by bwithers1

[Baronakim]

1 hour ago, bwithers1 said:

“Architectural value” is probably best arbitrated by architects, and Metro commissioners who are architects have argued for saving the building for its architectural value.

Dr. Learotha Williams provided information about the historic significance of the structure during last Friday’s joint Metro Council committee meeting about this structure. That information is available in the video along with the presentation from Metro Parks about how this site can relate to and enhance Wharf Park and future greenway connections. The discussion about Wharf Park’s riverfront access is described in good detail in the committee meeting video footage.

We do need housing downtown along corridors to support bus service and this is a key location to do that. If Metro did not buy this property, private developers would likely have bought the property, demolished the historic structure and put housing there. As things stand, now that Metro owns it we can work with MDHA, who has an adjacent parcel, to better program the entire site for better designed affordable housing, a better designed Wharf Park entrance, and can explore future uses of the building, which is not in as bad of shape as I had feared. I have attached some of my photos from the Metro Council tour last Friday.

Well put, but I still contend that there is too much museumism in architectural preservation where the restoration and reuse is prohibitably costly  and the architecture is of debatable significance that perhaps could be remembered as well by a in a marker.  For instance, the cornerstone shown tells NOTHING about the fine teachers and couragous blind students who used the facility,  but rather aggrandizes in purpetuity, the narcissism of bureaucrats  who sponsored it.   We now have technology to completely preserve the record  on site of the facility digitally and present a far better record of why the site had significance to our city.  You acknowlege this in the video you cite.    IMO, perhaps we should apply marie Kondo's premise to buildings such as this.  "Does it bring you joy?"  Certainly there are many, many buildings in Nashville that do bring joy...the Parthenon, the Custom House, the Ryman...MANY others, but to me this one isnondescrept, sad and neglected.

Edited June 10, 2022 by Baronakim

[bwithers1]

1 hour ago, Baronakim said:

Well put, but I still contend that there is too much museumism in architectural preservation where the restoration and reuse is prohibitably costly  and the architecture is of debatable significance that perhaps could be remembered as well by a in a marker.  For insatnce, the cornerstone shown tells NOTHING about the fine teachers and couragous blind students who used the facility,  but rather aggrandizes in purpetuity, the narcacism of beauracrats  who sponsored it.   We now have technology to completely preserve the record  on site of the facility digitally and present a far better record of why the site had significance to our city.  You acknowlege this in the video you cite.    IMO, perhaps we should apply marie Kondo's premise to buildings such as this.  "Does it bring you joy?"  Certainly there are many, many buildings in Nashville that do bring joy...the Parthenon, the Custom House, the Ryman...MANY others, but to me this one isnondescrept, sad and neglected.

Those are some interesting points. This building was constructed during WWII, and so if it had been lavish that would have been noteworthy. I’m surprised that given the wartime materials and rationing conditions that this building was constructed at all.
 

I would describe the building as simple yet elegant, at least when cleaned up. The whiteboard writing added a uniquely human touch to the space and that is why I snapped a photo of that. 
 

Dr. Williams’s presentation talked a little bit about how this facility was part of a launch of political and career influence for African American mothers in Nashville, and that is something about which I would like to learn more. It would also be interesting to learn more about those who attended school here and what they were able to accomplish later in life.
 

For my part, when this came before Metro Council last time some of us had asked MNPS to provide more feasibility analysis or a site plan to explore a potential rehab of some or all of this building as part of the proposed Nashville School of the Arts. For instance, could this building serve as a school library or something like that. MNPS asserted that the building was not salvageable and that they would plan to demolish it but didn’t provide additional detail to support that assertion.
 

That’s why I voted against acquisition last time. I didn’t want Metro to buy the property with the stated intent to demolish an historic structure. It is one thing for private property owners to demolish historic buildings that they own. It is quite another for Metro to buy an historic building with the intent of demolishing it.

In retrospect, perhaps at that time I should have voted to acquire the property but not given it to MNPS without first requiring a structural engineer’s report which is quite commonly required for demolition requests within historic districts.
 

But in this case that structural evaluation information was provided and we have authorized acquisition. At some point in the near future Metro can conduct some feasibility analysis for adaptive reuse possibilities and lead community engagement efforts to select a future use and user of this building.
 

And perhaps in that reimagined state this building can once again bring people pride as well as joy.

Edited June 10, 2022 by bwithers1

[smeagolsfree]

Some of this I suggest is more about saving history than architectural preservation. I would think we should get that here more than anywhere. It's not just about saving an old building for the sole purpose that the building is old, but the history that may have taken place there. These are two different things. Studio A & B are not that old, but history took place there, just as in the case of this building. It is important to some groups here and we need to make sure those concerns are looked at.

[markhollin]

Rutledge Flats (8 stories, 174 units) update: metal cladding complete across most of the structure.

Looking SE from 3rd Ave. South, 1/2 block north of Elm St:

Looking north from Elm St., 1/4 block east of 3rd Ave. South:

[markhollin]

Capitol Hotel expansion (5 stories, 29 rooms) update:  cladding and stone work complete.

Looking  NE from Polk Ave. 1/4 block south of Union St:

[markhollin]

Sinatra Bar and Lounge (first floor of the circa 1885 Southern Turf Building at 222 4th Ave. North) update: Two permits valued at $7 million total have been granted for work.  Bell Construction is the contractor; Remick Architecture is overseeing design. 

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/permit-patrol-13-june-2022/article_cf2570ae-e900-11ec-95e8-33c032e3134d.html

[KJHburg]

Since most of these projects are within the inner loop here are 7 projects CPE Magazine says will change Nashville.

https://www.commercialsearch.com/news/top-projects-that-will-reshape-nashville/

Edited June 15, 2022 by KJHburg

[CandyAisles]

10 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

Since most of these projects are within the inner loop here are 7 projects CPE Magazine says we change Nashville.

https://www.commercialsearch.com/news/top-projects-that-will-reshape-nashville/

Sigh....according to this article...

Neuhoff - S9 Architecture

Nashville Yards - Gresham Smith

Ritz Carlton - SOM

Riverside - SOM

River North - Hastings

Paseo South Gulch - WHO KNOWS, but GoodVets is going in and Clark is building it!

[markhollin]

The Nell (5 - 8 stories, 78 condos, internal garage) update.

Looking NW from driveway above intersection of Fogg St. and 7th Ave. South:

[AUNash]

I couldn't agree more.  Well said.  I understand where Mr. Turner is coming from, and I think some of his critiques are well-founded, as you touched on titanhog.  There is certainly more that could and should be done to contain the noise and chaos to that five-ish block area.  However, I think he is way off base when he argues that the bars only benefit themselves and are nothing but a nuisance to anyone but out of town tourists.  As you stated, it could absolutely be argued that Nashville wouldn't be the internationally known boom town it is today without those honky tonks.  It would be growing certainly, but it certainly wouldn't be the superstar city it is today.  That growth and notoriety provided by Lower Broad is something that has profound and lasting benefits to the city as a whole, and we shouldn't be so quick to roll our eyes and write it off.   I'm also not entirely sure where he gets this idea that an area like Lower Broad where there is a high concentration of bars is some kind of anomaly.  Most big cities have something of a 'nightlife district.'  

I agree with this too. The honky tonks and associated business helped build the tourist industry we now have, and that contributes tremendously to the economy.

But I would add that I work in the Truist (formerly SunTrust) building. The positives are that I love the vitality that the tourism sector brings. I love the energy of all the people on the streets. I love the amenities that their presence generates, like the 5&B Food Hall. But the noise is a problem during the business day sometimes. It is difficult to get in and out of the parking garage sometimes to run a simple errand, like get to a parent teacher meeting at school. And the sidewalks and streets just smell bad lots of the time. Many colleagues in the building want our office to move a few blocks out of the central district at the next renewal time. I hope we don’t, because I like the crowds and energy.

I think there are some things the the city should do to improve the area and help ensure a sustainable work/play/live ecosystem, so that it doesn’t devolve into ONLY play —

(1) Invest in regular/continuous pressure washing of the sidewalks and streets. They stink from the odor of vomit, beer, and garbage. Regular washing could go a long, long way to making the experience of walking the sidewalks better.

(2) More frequent garbage collection/clean up.

(3) Increased visible police presence throughout the honky took district. Nothing heavy handed, just visible and continuous. Have an officer in a yellow vest standing at the corner. Have them walking the beat regularly. More of those downtown Ambassadors on patrol.

(4) Enforce reasonable noise restrictions prior to 6pm. Make it feasible for businesses to remain in the buildings along that core. (Not to mention the kids in school at Hume Fogg.)

[titanhog]

6 minutes ago, AUNash said:

I agree with this too. The honky tonks and associated business helped build the tourist industry we now have, and that contributes tremendously to the economy.

But I would add that I work in the Truist (formerly SunTrust) building. The positives are that I love the vitality that the tourism sector brings. I love the energy of all the people on the streets. I love the amenities that their presence generates, like the 5&B Food Hall. But the noise is a problem during the business day sometimes. It is difficult to get in and out of the parking garage sometimes to run a simple errand, like get to a parent teacher meeting at school. And the sidewalks and streets just smell bad lots of the time. Many colleagues in the building want our office to move a few blocks out of the central district at the next renewal time. I hope we don’t, because I like the crowds and energy.

I think there are some things the the city should do to improve the area and help ensure a sustainable work/play/live ecosystem, so that it doesn’t devolve into ONLY play —

(1) Invest in regular/continuous pressure washing of the sidewalks and streets. They stink from the odor of vomit, beer, and garbage. Regular washing could go a long, long way to making the experience of walking the sidewalks better.

(2) More frequent garbage collection/clean up.

(3) Increased visible police presence throughout the honky took district. Nothing heavy handed, just visible and continuous. Have an officer in a yellow vest standing at the corner. Have them walking the beat regularly. More of those downtown Ambassadors on patrol.

(4) Enforce reasonable noise restrictions prior to 6pm. Make it feasible for businesses to remain in the buildings along that core. (Not to mention the kids in school at Hume Fogg.)

Those all seem very reasonable…and actually an investment that would pay off greatly.

[Mr_Bond]

39 minutes ago, AUNash said:

(1) Invest in regular/continuous pressure washing of the sidewalks and streets. They stink from the odor of vomit, beer, and garbage. Regular washing could go a long, long way to making the experience of walking the sidewalks better.

(2) More frequent garbage collection/clean up.

(3) Increased visible police presence throughout the honky took district. Nothing heavy handed, just visible and continuous. Have an officer in a yellow vest standing at the corner. Have them walking the beat regularly. More of those downtown Ambassadors on patrol.
 

You have greatly summed this up.  I live in The Gulch and love the vibrancy and fun of the tourists in our neighborhood.

Items 1-3 could be addressed by adding a Business Improvement District to Lower Broadway.  The Gulch Business Improvement District pays for a daily cleaning crew, extra trash pickups several times a week, and 'ambassadors' that walk and segway around to address the homeless and add security to the streets late at night.

[smeagolsfree]

17 hours ago, CandyAisles said:

Riverside - SOM

I still strongly have my doubts about this one as the developer in this case is not a developer in this case. As far as I know the Ewing's have not developed anything but their own ego. Please find a project they have done?

A person can call himself a developer all day long but is not one until he actually pulls a project off IMO. I still think this is a pie in the sky. SOM has done nothing but a conceptual design so far.

[Bos2Nash]

18 hours ago, CandyAisles said:

Paseo South Gulch - WHO KNOWS, but GoodVets is going in and Clark is building it!

hmmmm, I wonder who is doing this one lol

[markhollin]

Sad news: Dandgure's Cafeteria, a 31-year-old Meat & Three at 538 Lafayette, will be closing permanently on June 30th.  ATP Investments owns the land & 1 story structure  (purchased in 2018 for $2 million) now has the trapezoidal-shaped property up for sale at and undisclosed asking price.

More behind the NashvillePost paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/dandgure-s-cafeteria-to-close-on-june-30/article_88ec7936-c52d-5c5a-8406-d4134929f490.html

[bnacincy]

Hopefully they can relocate....