Rebuilding Second Avenue

[Argo]

It looks like a WWII bombed out downtown or a 60s riot downtown. What are they going to do, let the buildings sit there for 3, 5, 7 years, a decade, or decades before allowing any work to be done.

Edited January 15 by Argo

[Baronakim]

1 hour ago, Argo said:

It looks like a WWII bombed out downtown or a 60s riot downtown. What are they going to do, let the buildings sit there for 3, 5, 7 years, a decade, decades before allowing any work to be on.

They have with the surface parking lot just up the hill across Church.  How many decades has it been since that block burned?

[Luvemtall]

Unfortunately IMO I think your point is correct. 
the constraints placed upon the rebuilding of these structures, put any hope of action in the near future in a unprobable scenario. The cost to restore to as original as possible, as the historical folks are pressing for makes it an unrealistic expectation as the ROI would just not warrant it. A more significant increase in allowable sq footage I.e more floors , would help offset cost. I’m not suggesting a 30 story building, but a similar concept to the Printers alley project would be acceptable. Retain and rebuild the facade to as close to original and utilize materials to blend  any new construction into the fabric of the surrounding neighborhood and there might be some potential, otherwise it may look the same as today 30 years from now.

1 hour ago, Argo said:

It looks like a WWII bombed out downtown or a 60s riot downtown. What are they going to do, let the buildings sit there for 3, 5, 7 years, a decade, decades before allowing any work to be on.

 

[Luvemtall]

8 minutes ago, Baronakim said:

They have with the surface parking lot just up the hill across Church.  How many decades has it been since that block burned?

Yeah, you’re right, but I think that it is foolish for people to continue to hold the position that that particular property can only be rebuilt with low rise Victorian style development. That’s a prime example of the mindset of many individuals of holding onto the old Nashville and dwelling in its past. It’s time to embrace the future and except the new opportunities unfolding for future generations. 

[bnacincy]

31 minutes ago, Baronakim said:

They have with the surface parking lot just up the hill across Church.  How many decades has it been since that block burned?

That happened in 1985 when I was working for BWSC downtown.....almost 40 years ago!

It would be nice if someone like the Ingrams or some other family of means would step in and rebuild that block-along with the bombed out buildings- exactly as they were.

There is no reason not to (some European cities did the same thing after WW2) and it would greatly enhance 2nd Avenues'

rebirth-more than the current renovation work, I think.

[FrankNash]

^^^I agree with the Ingrams purchase and rebuild.  Part of the rebuild could be an Inland Waterways Museum. 

[MorganRehnberg]

Some of the final brickwork going in on the northern blocks. Love the width of the sidewalk, but the offset planters and trees seem to result in no real expansion of space for walking. 

[Bos2Nash]

1 hour ago, MorganRehnberg said:

Some of the final brickwork going in on the northern blocks. Love the width of the sidewalk, but the offset planters and trees seem to result in no real expansion of space for walking. 

Looking great! Someone may be able to correct me, but this may be healthier for the trees while also safe for the roadways and giving the added sidewalk width (we can all walk around a tree LOL). Because the tree is in the middle like this, the drip line for the tree can expand a bit better around its circumference (and not stop at the curb) and because it is not growing over the road, it would be allowed to grow more naturally. I believe 1st Avenue is setup rather similarly. 

The extra space around the tree allows for a clear sidewalk while also including possible seating and trash/recycling in this sort of space. So while the actual walking space may not directly be growing (presumable on the parking lot/building side of the tree wells), the physical area that is dedicated to the pedestrian use & experience is being greatly improved with this added space.

I couldn't tell from these pictures, are they NOT replacing the sidewalk on the west side of the street?? The second picture catches a glimpse of some curbing it does not look like it has been replaced at all.  I understand that those are existing buildings and a parking garage, but I would expect that if we are altering the ROW to this extent BOTH sides of the street would be improved. Maybe they need to get the east side and driving surface first and then do the west sidewalk? Logistically I would think they would do a temporary walking area on the new drive lane to access the existing businesses/buildings from the completed east side while they rebuild the west side?

[Bark At The Sun]

 

Edited February 2 by Bark At The Sun

[Luvemtall]

How long you all think it will be, until that parking lot in lower left get a Honky Tonk?

[FrankNash]

^^^That lot is owned by Old Town Trolley Tour Company.

[Luvemtall]

52 minutes ago, FrankNash said:

^^^That lot is owned by Old Town Trolley Tour Company.

Yeah, I know that. I’m asking how long everyone feels it will take for them to sell the property and a new Honky Tonk takes its place. Money talks and it’s just a matter of time. 

[MorganRehnberg]

Walked by today and they were actively working on the blocks closer to Broadway. 

[markhollin]

Looking south from intersection of 2nd Ave. North and Church St:

Scaffolding on back side of Luke Combs' Category 10 (former Wildhorse Saloon) along 1st Ave. North, 1/4 block north of Broadway

Scaffolding on backside of structures that were heavily damaged at 176 2nd Ave. North.  Looking NW from 1st Ave. North, 1/3 block south of Church St:

[MontanaGuy]

They're funneling pedestrians through the street construction areas with these paths of fencing.  Businesses in that area are extremely slow so I hope it doesn't take too long to get this paving completed. 

[markhollin]

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

Looking north from Church Street and 2nd Ave. North:

[Bos2Nash]

5 hours ago, markhollin said:

Looking north from Church Street and 2nd Ave. North:

Really nice to see this narrow of a drive lane. It should really promote slower speeds that will make the street safe and comfortable to walk along.

[MorganRehnberg]

Hopefully the really good pedestrian experience here will encourage similar transformations on other neighboring streets. The core portion of Church St. is already basically like this and it’s the nicest downtown street. Building a mini grid of them would be awesome. 

[markhollin]

Looking SE from intersection of Commerce St. and 2nd Ave. North:

Looking NE from intersection of Commerce St. and 2nd Ave. North:

[MorganRehnberg]

First sections of the new east sidewalk open!

[Luvemtall]

Surly they plan on replacing that sidewalk corner on the Church Street side?  What a mess that is, they don’t even connect 

[Bos2Nash]

2 hours ago, Luvemtall said:

Surly they plan on replacing that sidewalk corner on the Church Street side?  What a mess that is, they don’t even connect 

If I had to take a guess, I would think the whole intersection would get a refresh to better align with the entire 2nd Ave corridor.

[Luvemtall]

11 minutes ago, Bos2Nash said:

If I had to take a guess, I would think the whole intersection would get a refresh to better align with the entire 2nd Ave corridor.

Thats my thought process also, but nothing seems to amaze me with how many times I’ve seen Metro value engineer the crap out of something to the point of absurdity.

[markhollin]

Looking north from intersection of Church St. and 2nd Ave. North:

[markhollin]

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