The Dave Luna Urban Planet Forum Meet-Up (online, too), Sat. June 1st, 10 AM to noon; Copper Branch patio at Downtown Library at 6th Ave. North and Church St.

[smeagolsfree]

I want to echo Daniels comments. Also, including Tony, we had 25 or so folks at this meeting.

That may be the record since the last time Tont met with us 9 years ago. Thanks to all that post and keep us going on this forum.

I just want to remind everyone that anything said at the meeting was done so in strict confidence and if anyone post anything that was brought up, it will be deleted. If we ever want Tony back or other guest we must respect the sensitive information that was shared.

Thanks for your help ahead of time. If anyone notices anything posted, please PM any of the moderators.

[Paramount747]

Amazing meet! Remember this in the future. one of our best meets ever. I second Ron's post. WE cannot post anything said at the meeting. Wait until its released by the media or WW.

[titanhog]

I'm assuming there must have been some good things discussed...and good news as well.  Can't wait for future news to be "broken!"

 

Really wonderful of Tony to take the time he did today.

[Skyscrapergeek]

Great seeing everyone. Thank you William and Ron for setting it up with Tony. Of course thank you Tony! How great was that?? Always so impressed with Tony's willingness to share his time and enthusiasm, "Geek to Geeks". Very educational. I would have paid admission. Don't get any crazy ideas Ron.

[mirydi]

Wow! What a meet... Meeting Tony and hearing all the details that went into all these projects that we've been following from the beginning like Sheet Music/Bridgestone, SoBro, 505 etc. was truly fascinating. He was a super nice guy, and is obviously very detail oriented and passionate about his projects and Nashville. He literally talked for over an hour, and I could have listened to that stuff all day long. So much exciting stuff discussed and I wish I could talk about it, but....sorry folks, you should have attended. 

 

Big time thanks to Tony for taking the time to attend and discussing everything and answering everybody's questions. Can't say enough how awesome of an experience that was for me. 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 6, 2014 by mirydi

[UTgrad09]

I think I enjoyed the back stories the most...hearing how past and present projects came to be, opportunities, hurdles, fortunes and misfortunes. Hearing these gives you a true appreciation for the time and effort put into these developments (and an understanding of why it can take years for things to fall into place).

 

Like the others have said, I thank him for his time. None of us are really deep pocketed investors. There's not really any PR to be gained by this. I really got the sense that he genuinely enjoyed sharing his experiences and, as Skyscrapergeek alluded to, talking nerdy/geeky (without having to explain everything).

[markhollin]

Great Meet-Up this morning. Thanks to everyone who worked behind-the-scenes to bring Tony Giarratana.  We all learned some fascinating background on past and present projects. Appreciate the opportunity to meet and chat with him. Nice seeing everyone else as well.  

[titanhog]

I'm jealous!  I'm gonna have to come to one of these meetings! 

[TNinVB]

Since I could not attend, can someone PM me and fill me in on what was discussed.  I promise my lips are sealed. Just very eager to find out what was said. Thanks in advance :-)

[TNinVB]

Anyone? Crickets chirping...

[BnaBreaker]

Anyone? Crickets chirping...

 

I'll tell you everything that I know from the meeting yesterday: 

 

Apparently, it was awesome.  The end. 

[TNinVB]

I'll tell you everything that I know from the meeting yesterday: 

 

Apparently, it was awesome.  The end. 

Haha seems so :-)

[rookzie]

I'll tell you everything that I know from the meeting yesterday: 

 

Apparently, it was awesome.  The end.

 

 

Haha seems so :-)

 

 

Don't want you to feel slighted.  I feel that, in deference to the (not overly emphasized) commitment to respect Tony G's request, we all should be at least a bit wary on relaying any paraphrased dialog or other dissemination, which potentially could lead to misinformation.  I do believe that one of the moderators will contact one or more of you, in a judicious and informative manner, i really do.  I certainly empathize with those of us who, for the most obvious reasons (e.g. 721 miles or 471 miles or...), as well as for reasons not so apparent, simply had no provision for attending today's meet.

 

Please try to understand that limiting the channels to being the moderators will help minimize a chance that others of us risk possible"misdoing" of discussion, deliberate or unwitting, without also being mealy-mouth with ambiguity ("P-ing" you off even more, I suppose).

 

That being said, try initiating contact to one of the moderators by PM, that is, if you have not done so already.  I am confident that you would get a favorable reply.

 

-=ricky-rooX=-

Edited December 7, 2014 by rookzie

[satalac]

Hate that I missed this meet. Niece had a birthday party and I just can't say no to that cute little face. Sounds like it was very informative and hope that what was discussed today will come out officially soon to fill us all in. That's awesome of Tony to do this. Had I been there, I would have wanted to talk about the Boy Scouts (big supporter and I'm an Eagle Scout). 

[UTgrad09]

Don't want you to feel slighted.  I feel that, in deference to the (not overly emphasized) commitment to respect Tony G's request, we all should be at least a bit wary on relaying any paraphrased dialog or other dissemination, which potentially could lead to misinformation.  I do believe that one of the moderators will contact one or more of you, in a judicious and informative manner, i really do.  I certainly empathize with those of us who, for the most obvious reasons (e.g. 721 miles or 471 miles or...), as for reasons not so apparent, simply had no provision for attending today's meet.

 

Please try to understand that limiting the channels to being the moderators will help minimize a chance that others of us risk possible"misdoing" of discussion, deliberate or unwitting, without also being mealy-mouth with ambiguity ("P-ing" you off even more, I suppose).

 

That being said, try initiating contact to one of the moderators by PM, that is, if you have not done so already.  I am confident that you would get a favorable reply.

 

-=ricky-rooX=-

 

 

We told ghost stories and drank hot chocolate.

 

 

 

THE END.

[volsfanwill]

ok ok .... Signature was actually secretly constructed over the past 3 years and is ready to open, it has been hidden by a giant invisibility cloak that will be removed as part of this years New Years celebration.  take that New York new years eve!

[rookzie]

ok ok .... Signature was actually secretly constructed over the past 3 years and is ready to open, it has been hidden by a giant invisibility cloak that will be removed as part of this years New Years celebration.  take that New York new years eve!

 

oh, er... forgot about that revelation.  Yeah, that's what it was.

 

  (...and I too thought they'd settle for that)

 

UTgrad09 was trying to be level with the truth, though.  In addition. to set the mood, we all wore purple Snuggies, so Tony could readily identify us (and perhaps "with" us).

 

-==-

Edited December 7, 2014 by rookzie

[Hey_Hey]

Very cool meeting today.  My favorite aspect of having TG there was the bit of insight that he was able to give in regards to large scale development in general.  Specifically the reasons that Nashville has certain types of buildings vs Chicago or NYC.  It was intriguing to hear how certain design features, materials, etc., can make a building uneconomical here.  NYC can do some things that most (all?) other cities in the US can only dream of.  It also became clear that development at his scale is a very high risk endeavor, but also one that can be financially rewarding and personally satisfying knowing that you were responsible for a skyscraper being built.  It's got to be an amazing feeling looking at a 30 or 40 story building and knowing that you created it (of course the workers, engineers, architects, etc. play a role, but you know what I'm saying). I also got a strong sense that TG is kind of a skyscraper/urban development geek like most of us. I know the money is nice if he is successful, but he is doing this for more than just monetary gain.

[East Side Urbanite]

Friends,

 

It was quite something to attend yesterday's meeting. I've been fortunate to have been with the group since it officially started meeting in November 2005 and have likely missed only five meetings since. So that's more than 100 urban planet meetings I've attended. That said, this was likely the best we've ever had.

 

Of the original core group, we had Ron, John and Cliff yesterday. To this trio, I say: You're good people and good friends. Only Todd and the late Dave (may his spirit always live and fill use with appreciation and humility) of that initial group were not with us. I'd also like to recognize a few more "veteran" members of the group for their long-standing attendance and contributions (and who attended yesterday): Brett, Shelby and Stephen, each of whom has been with us for more than five years.

 

As to Tony, he simply did an outstanding job of explaining everything and then fielding our questions with patience, enthusiasm and specificity. I've know this man since about 2002 and I can honestly say his passion for the city is as impressive as his stellar understanding of the art of large building development. The mark Tony is placing on Nashville is HUGELY significant. And he, like I, is a Led Zep fan (so props for that, TG).

 

It was a strong year both for the group and for Nashville's manmade environment. 

 

I'll see everybody in 2015.

 

WW

[UTgrad09]

Friends,

 

It was quite something to attend yesterday's meeting. I've been fortunate to have been with the group since it officially started meeting in November 2005 and have likely missed only five meetings since. So that's more than 100 urban planet meetings I've attended. That said, this was likely the best we've ever had.

 

Of the original core group, we had Ron, John and Cliff yesterday. To this trio, I say: You're good people and good friends. Only Todd and the late Dave (may his spirit always live and fill use with appreciation and humility) of that initial group were not with us. I'd also like to recognize a few more "veteran" members of the group for their long-standing attendance and contributions (and who attended yesterday): Brett, Shelby and Stephen, each of whom has been with us for more than five years.

 

As to Tony, he simply did an outstanding job of explaining everything and then fielding our questions with patience, enthusiasm and specificity. I've know this man since about 2002 and I can honestly say his passion for the city is as impressive as his stellar understanding of the art of large building development. The mark Tony is placing on Nashville is HUGELY significant. And he, like I, is a Led Zep fan (so props for that, TG).

 

It was a strong year both for the group and for Nashville's manmade environment. 

 

I'll see everybody in 2015.

 

WW

 

I may not have been part of the original group, but I was at the initial meet!  I missed a lot of the rest because I was in Knoxville....but this UrbanPlanet community helped me keep in touch with what was going on.

 

Also, I didn't know you were a Led Zep fan. Favorite song/album?

[volsfanwill]

Is there going to be a surprise guest this week?

........ A P perhaps?

[smeagolsfree]

No special guest this time, but the meet is on for this coming Saturday. 10 AM at the Downtown Provence in the main Library as normal.

[NashRugger]

I'm flying out to Auckland this evening and won't be back until next Monday. Hopefully I can make one again soon.

[DoermanPhoto]

No special guest this time, but the meet is on for this coming Saturday. 10 AM at the Downtown Provence in the main Library as normal.

 

Is this meeting open/free to anyone?

[dmillsphoto]

Is this meeting open/free to anyone?

Absolutely!