Rebuilding Second Avenue

[MontanaGuy]

7 hours ago, Bos2Nash said:

I believe this is actually perforated metal. I will try to go over at lunch and get a closer picture. Some colleagues showed me an image a couple weeks ago and mentioned they saw it as perforations instead of etching. Perforating the metal with the image probably provided a more maintenance free approach to the mural rather than having to worry about the quality of the etching.

That's exactly what it is.  I walked by there awhile ago although I wasn't able to get a clear photo.  The cladding actually looks pretty good, it's the sad attempt at doing something artistic that went wrong.  What they really should have done is created a space for a few real artists to paint something interesting or inspirational.  We have great artwork on the sides of buildings all over town and this would have been a great place for it because it's so big!  Unfortunately it looks like they're about done with the cladding on both sides of the building and it's probably too late to change it.

[MontanaGuy]

Here's a bit of the cladding where I could get up close to it on the other side of the building.  The brick is from the building next to it.

[Bos2Nash]

Here are a couple photos of the panels from my lunch walk yesterday. As @MontanaGuy confirmed, they are perforated. Honestly, I don't mind it as much as folks do. While it is certainly not ideal, it is at least trying to make an effort. Also, it is kinda unique as I have not really seen this kind of perforated art in the city. 

Let's be honest, would we rather the left or right of this picture??

[Luvemtall]

Well if you are really wanting honesty, then IMO it sucks!! Ugly as sin, The Haven doesn’t even look that bad anymore. 

[shanky]

ATT is not going to build an operations building that stands out.  It could be because they're cheap but most likely because of the equipment and functionality of that equipment inside the building.  They want it to be as nondescript as possible.   Correct me if I'm wrong but they don't even have a sign on it.

[donNdonelson2]

1 hour ago, shanky said:

ATT is not going to build an operations building that stands out.  It could be because they're cheap but most likely because of the equipment and functionality of that equipment inside the building.  They want it to be as nondescript as possible.   Correct me if I'm wrong but they don't even have a sign on it.

They aren’t cheap when it comes to the vault-like sturdiness of the building. It has to protect the critical information technology infrastructure that’s inside. They are somewhat thrifty in how they skin those structures, although I think this new look is a bit of an upgrade from the former. Considering the force of the Christmas morning 2020 blast, I’m thankful the building didn’t collapse, causing a severe and long lasting interruption in digital communications for many in our area.

[East Side Urbanite]

As "bad buildings" go, this actually might be OK in some respects. I still want to see it 1. finished; 2. up close and personal; and 3. lit at night (as I think it might be) before I make my final assessment.

One key improvement (and I would hope most agree). The maroon metal skin previously used was a glaringly bad example of how "trendy colors" on large buildings can be bad. Bright and bold (and even trendy) colors can look fantastic on the diminutive painted ladies of San Francisco. But such colors should not be used on large buildings. The pink-glass tower in South End in Charlotte is a prime example of a garish building. This silver building — though bland — will always look slightly industrial (and even a bit sleek). 

The modernist brick building located to the right renders the silver-metal-clad AT&T building as handsome as the Customs House.  That brick building needs, at the least, a paint job. 

Edited April 13, 2023 by East Side Urbanite

[markhollin]

Looking east from 2nd Ave. North at damaged structures.

[smeagolsfree]

As far as the other side of the street rebuild goes, does anyone know what the holdup is???

Is Metro Historic dragging their feet? OR Has the owner just not got the money?

[BnaBreaker]

On 4/14/2023 at 8:02 AM, smeagolsfree said:

As far as the other side of the street rebuild goes, does anyone know what the holdup is???

Is Metro Historic dragging their feet? OR Has the owner just not got the money?

Agreed.  Not to be insensitive,  but it has been almost two and a half years since those unfortunate events took place.  Okay so maybe that isn't enough time to expect a full rebuild be completed, but I'd at least expect that by now it didn't still look like the street was bombed the week prior.  

[Bos2Nash]

If I had to guess, it would ownership + capital. I don’t think Historic is “dragging their feet” per-say, but historic is part of zoning and developments need to abide by those laws. If somebody wants them changed, they would need to have even more capital to challenge those laws. 

Just like we saw with the tornado, these buildings were probably very underinsured and with the inflation and rising costs of everything coupled together the building g owners are probably just struggling. 

[smeagolsfree]

It is going to be a real shame if these ruined bombshells sit here like this for years. Metro may end up having to step in and just condemn the property and if they can’t pay the taxes then someone else needs to buy the property and do it right.

[bnacincy]

3 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

It is going to be a real shame if these ruined bombshells sit here like this for years. Metro may end up having to step in and just condemn the property and if they can’t pay the taxes then someone else needs to buy the property and do it right.

Metro needs to be a lot more proactive than it has been.....2nd Ave is where Nashville's entertainment district got its start with places like the Wildhorse Saloon-the City needs to use the Luke Combs announcement wrt to the Wildhorse as a springboard to recruiting other developers to work with it to revive the street.....personally I would like to see a restauranteur open some Nashville classics from the bygone era like  the Stockyard and the Gerst Haus-maybe even move Varallo's Chili over there as a "go to" place after you've had a few.

Downtown needs more restaurants as at some point it may start maxing out on Honky Tonks.

With Nashville as a global tourist destination, it cannot let 2nd Ave deteriorate like this. It isn't a good look-makes the city look bush league.

[KJHburg]

Still rebuilding this stretch after the bombing (that I am not sure we will never know  the  real motive).  

[fishsticks176]

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/new-renderings-show-changes-for-second-avenue-following-christmas-day-bombing?_amp=true
 

new renderings for rebuilding^

[markhollin]

More background on the 2nd Ave. North streetscape improvements between Church and Union behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/site-work-to-begin-to-update-second-avenue/article_2ed80d7a-e90c-11ed-8ef5-5b11b765ae00.html
 

[bnacincy]

I'm not sure how pleasant outdoor dining is going to be  when a bunch of inebriated Woo Girls followed close behind by their equally inebriated male tag alongs start making their rounds on 2nd Ave.

Just doesn't seem appetizin'. 

[bnacincy]

Speaking of appetizin' (or not!) did Guy Fieri's chicken place close down?

[donNdonelson2]

1 hour ago, bnacincy said:

Speaking of appetizin' (or not!) did Guy Fieri's chicken place close down?

So it would seem.

[smeagolsfree]

11 hours ago, bnacincy said:

Speaking of appetizin' (or not!) did Guy Fieri's chicken place close down?

 

 

Permanently closed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken Guy!

3.5494 Google reviews

 

Chicken restaurant

 

 

 

 

Address: 139 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201

 

 

 

 

Menu: chickenguy.com

 

Phone: (629) 401-4400

 

 

 

 

 

Suggest an edit

[chris holman]

Does anyone know if the  damaged part of the rebuild will have the new updated building included?

Edited May 3, 2023 by chris holman

[smeagolsfree]

57 minutes ago, chris holman said:

Does anyone know if the  damaged part of the rebuild will have the new updated building included?

That is the magic question I asked last week! I am unsure if those owners have the resources to do what they need to do to get the job done.

[Luvemtall]

That’s a shame if true, it’s a solid proposal. 
would be a great upgrade to 2nd Avenue, like the walkway between the buildings. Is it at all possible that the current owners, sell their stake in this and let a developer with the necessary resources proceed with the project plans? Perhaps a C A South or GBT type 

[FromParkAveToTN]

On 5/2/2023 at 7:15 PM, bnacincy said:

I'm not sure how pleasant outdoor dining is going to be  when a bunch of inebriated Woo Girls followed close behind by their equally inebriated male tag alongs start making their rounds on 2nd Ave.

Just doesn't seem appetizin'. 

I LOVE outdoor dining.  One of my favorite things to do when I'm in Rome or Paris.

[Argo]

6 minutes ago, FromParkAveToTN said:

I LOVE outdoor dining.  One of my favorite things to do when I'm in Rome or Paris.

I do too. I like to dine outdoors wearing a sweater tied over my back.

Edited May 5, 2023 by Argo