Travel observations and new developments of other cities and countries

[lmc123]

Jackson, TN
City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger:
"Knowing where you are is important to visualize where you can go.  There’s still a lot of work to be done, but having a vision and goal provides direction, motivation, clarity, and purpose, guiding actions towards accomplishments, fostering growth, and inspiring progress. You can find the full Vision Book documents at the link below:
https://www.jacksontn.gov/residents/masterplanning

[smeagolsfree]

I ask is the Blue Oval project going to benefit Jackson More or Memphis more? This is just a question to throw out to you and get a consensus on. It sits halfway between both cities. Or is it going to create a new boom city? Let's say turning Stanton into the next Spring Hill. I can't say that the GM plant really benefited Nashville that much except create a traffic nightmare south of the city.

[lmc123]

Infrastructure in Memphis is lacking. Suburbs like Lakeland and Bartlett will benefit, but I also think Jackson, Covington, Fayette County all benefit from housing growth because of their sewer infrastructure. 

On 2/19/2024 at 8:32 AM, lmc123 said:

Jackson, TN
City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger:
"Knowing where you are is important to visualize where you can go.  There’s still a lot of work to be done, but having a vision and goal provides direction, motivation, clarity, and purpose, guiding actions towards accomplishments, fostering growth, and inspiring progress. You can find the full Vision Book documents at the link below:
https://www.jacksontn.gov/residents/masterplanning

Also, the Jackson plaza property in the first two images is publicly owned by the City. So any developers interested in this deal could likely get the vision done because of the land being publicly controlled. 

[VSRJ]

1 hour ago, smeagolsfree said:

I ask is the Blue Oval project going to benefit Jackson More or Memphis more? This is just a question to throw out to you and get a consensus on. It sits halfway between both cities. Or is it going to create a new boom city? Let's say turning Stanton into the next Spring Hill. I can't say that the GM plant really benefited Nashville that much except create a traffic nightmare south of the city.

I think both will benefit. For many, I assume it will just come down to preference between a "large-" and small/medium-sized city. In Memphis, the eastern suburbs likely will be the big winners — Lakeland, Arlington, Collierville, Bartlett to an extent, etc. Lakeland already has a billboard welcoming Blue Oval. I think those suburbs will be vying for the influx of workers.

[NissanvilleTitans]

I think the distance to both cities is a bit of a stretch. When you look at Toyota in Georgetown, ky. It definitely benefited Lexington which is 18 miles from the plant. But Scott county which Georgetown resides, was a nothing county before the plant and now is the fastest growing county in the state. Jackson is 44 miles, and Memphis is 55 miles away from Blue oval. Arlington is only 24, so it'll see benefit from the plant, but I think the real winner will be Brownsville. It's county is around the same size as Scott county, ky was before Toyota. I believe given enough time, Brownsville may grow larger than Jackson. Jackson should see some benefit and grow itself but nowhere near the rate of Brownsville.

[VSRJ]

I do wish it was closer to Memphis, but perhaps this will spur additional big-name developments between the two cities to close or shorten the gaps.

[KJHburg]

Many have seen photos of Raleigh but not as many of the 2nd city in the Raleigh Durham region that being Durham.  The transformation in this city's downtown in the last 40 years or so is unbelievable.  It went from being a huge tobacco and cigarette manufacturing center to having none of those jobs now.  From the Bull City (named for Bull Durham tobacco to the City of Medicine) Now it biotech, pharmaceuticals, technology and 2nd anchor of the Triangle and home to Duke University and NC Central University.  New 27 story apartment and condo tower under construction now.  Almost every old brick tobacco factory and or warehouse has been converted to new uses.  Only 23 miles from downtown Durham to downtown Raleigh.  The Raleigh Durham combined metro area is larger than Nashville metro area.  The references to its tobacco heritage are everywhere from Brightleaf Square 2 historical tobacco storage warehouses are now retail and office spaces to American Tobacco Campus the old factory buildings that is now a huge office and residential complex.  Durham is growing so fast it will soon be NC's 3rd largest city after Charlotte and Raleigh blowing past  Greensboro.   Home to Duke, Glaxo Smith Kline, Google offices, and plenty of smaller tech and contract research organizations. 

Home - American Tobacco Campus

Brightleaf District (brightleafdurham.com)

The Novus | Luxury Condos & Apartments in Durham NC

Where is Raleigh has very little old industrial buildings Durham has them in abundance and has used this to attract businesses that are looking for cool older spaces.   Both these cities complement each other and share of course the Research Triangle Park which straddles the county line and the fast growing RDU Airport.  

[MLBrumby]

It's come a long way from the time I went to law/biz school there, but it's still one of the ugliest cities in the south. The new buildings look nice. Making progress though! Just lots of poverty. Loved Brighleaf back in the day (Satisfaction Pizza, et.al.) and Bullock's BBQ (best in the Carolinas) but I doubt they're even still there. Anyway, great times in DuR back in early 90s. I even remember the last game in the Bulls old bp. A serious dump. Their new park opened the next year... a great one. 

[KJHburg]

16 hours ago, MLBrumby said:

It's come a long way from the time I went to law/biz school there, but it's still one of the ugliest cities in the south. The new buildings look nice. Making progress though! Just lots of poverty. Loved Brighleaf back in the day (Satisfaction Pizza, et.al.) and Bullock's BBQ (best in the Carolinas) but I doubt they're even still there. Anyway, great times in DuR back in early 90s. I even remember the last game in the Bulls old bp. A serious dump. Their new park opened the next year... a great one. 

I just ate at Bullocks this past weekend and it was crowded as usual and one of the oldest if not the oldest restaurant  in Durham.  

Actually Durham County has less poverty and higher median income than Nashville due to its new tech, medicine and biopharma based economy.  You should come back and visit and trust me you will be amazed at the changes.

U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), Tennessee; Durham County, North Carolina

The DPAC Durham Performing Arts Center is one of the best performing arts center in the county and regularly attracts people from all over the Triangle and eastern NC.  

DPAC Scores #1 National Ranking | DPAC Official Site (dpacnc.com)

The Durham Bulls ballpark is the one of the best minor league stadiums in the country.  It is surrounded by 3 office buildings now.    I am telling you this city has transformed itself economically and the look of the city. 

[Luvemtall]

Not to be disrespectful, but this is starting to seem like , a my city is better then yours competition. I’m sure Durham, Raleigh, Charlotte are all great places and you’re proud of them. But this isn’t about and should not be a down right bring out the charts comparison, pointing out that you feel it’s a better place then our beloved city of Nashville. I’m sorry, but this is the NASHVILLE urban planet forum and if we want to read about other cities in that kind of detail we can look them up . I know this particular thread is other cities and countries, but I’m not thinking it’s meant to be a place to hash out any statistics on a specific cities superiority over others. 

[NissanvilleTitans]

Before this thread was hi-jacked and for some random reason we had statistics about durham shoved into our faces, we were talking about who benefits the most from Blue Oval City. I'd like to hear other's opinions. Please and Thank You!

[Luvemtall]

I’m not sure why there’s so many confused emojis, it’s plain and simple to understand. This isn’t the place to get a statistical analysis of Durham or any other city compared to Nashville or anywhere.

[Luvemtall]

19 minutes ago, NissanvilleTitans said:

Before this thread was hi-jacked and for some random reason we had statistics about durham shoved into our faces, we were talking about who benefits the most from Blue Oval City. I'd like to hear other's opinions. Please and Thank You!

Yes,thank you. I’m thinking Blue Oval City will be just that, a whole new city! I can see development center around the general area of the ford operations and eventually create a new town. Sort of like Williston North Dakota did with the oil fields, it will make sense to build as close to the employment base then 25-50 miles away 

[smeagolsfree]

Kevin is not being disrespectful. He travels a lot and like to share where he has been. Kevin is not from Raleigh or Durham. This is a travel and observation thread, and he is free to share what he likes. This is not the Blue Oval thread either! that was just one thing that came up. He is not a troll or anything close to that as I have met Kevin in person and consider him a friend so tread lightly here guys. He has been on UP since the very early days.

[Luvemtall]

Please accept my apology Kevin, although not a good excuse I’m not a fan of North Carolina and I let my own opinion dictate a decision to lash out. 
Smeags, thanks for your input and I hope there’s no harm done. 

[nashville born]

A few shots from this past weekend's visit to NYC:

Madison Square Garden

Bryant Park with One Vanderbilt and others 

Not sure of the name, yet this tower is home to the Bank of China.  Liked the design.

Noticed out the hotel room window that the New Year's Eve ball is still there, and it glows different colors day and night.

Empire State building at street level

Followed by various views from the top observation deck

Chrysler building

Looking north toward billionaire's row

Closer shot of One Vanderbilt and two of the residential towers on Park Place, 270 and 432 (u/c)

Hudson Yards

Manhattan with Queens across the river (United Nations building to the left)

Empire State building tippy top

[MLBrumby]

Nice pics! Slight correction off the top... I believe 270 Park Avenue is actually the future home of JPMorgan (replacing their former tower on the same site). 

[Luvemtall]

I will be flying into NYC tomorrow morning, hope to get a few favorite spots in if timing works out. Have a wedding to get to in Connecticut.

[nashville born]

2 hours ago, MLBrumby said:

Nice pics! Slight correction off the top... I believe 270 Park Avenue is actually the future home of JPMorgan (replacing their former tower on the same site). 

Thanks.  Definitely had them switched and mis-identified!

[markhollin]

Philadelphia:

[NissanvilleTitans]

Hey Kevin, you posted those pics in the correct thread. Sorry, bud.

But I'm really interested in people's thoughts on the question Ron asked about who will benefit from Blue Oval. Maybe Ron can move the question to another thread where the question can't get derailed as easily? 

[smeagolsfree]

1 hour ago, NissanvilleTitans said:

Hey Kevin, you posted those pics in the correct thread. Sorry, bud.

But I'm really interested in people's thoughts on the question Ron asked about who will benefit from Blue Oval. Maybe Ron can move the question to another thread where the question can't get derailed as easily? 

Maybe you can move it to bits & pieces. I think that will be fine.

23 hours ago, Luvemtall said:

Please accept my apology Kevin, although not a good excuse I’m not a fan of North Carolina and I let my own opinion dictate a decision to lash out. 
Smeags, thanks for your input and I hope there’s no harm done. 

No harm no foul. Kevin comes to Nashville once a year and post a photo dump on the Charlotte board. In a lot of ways, he is one of the few advocates we have there. He is fair and balanced.

[markhollin]

Brussels, Belgium:

[KJHburg]

On 2/22/2024 at 9:23 AM, Luvemtall said:

Please accept my apology Kevin, although not a good excuse I’m not a fan of North Carolina and I let my own opinion dictate a decision to lash out. 
Smeags, thanks for your input and I hope there’s no harm done. 

Well my offer still stand with anyone who comes east over the mountains to Charlotte I will give you a tour of our fine city and free lunch maybe included LOL.  

 

On 2/22/2024 at 8:40 AM, smeagolsfree said:

Kevin is not being disrespectful. He travels a lot and like to share where he has been. Kevin is not from Raleigh or Durham. This is a travel and observation thread, and he is free to share what he likes. This is not the Blue Oval thread either! that was just one thing that came up. He is not a troll or anything close to that as I have met Kevin in person and consider him a friend so tread lightly here guys. He has been on UP since the very early days.

Yes looking forward to my annual  trip to Nashville in April and will take lots of photos and try to place them correctly.  and yes I like to share with those back in Charlotte what is happening there with my locals here.  I  look forward to getting some great skyline shots of Nashville as your hills are bigger than ours.   Love that view from Fort Negley and of course from the pedestrian bridge over the Cumberland River downtown. 

[markhollin]

Sendai, Japan: