UP|Nashville

Sommet Center To Become Bridgestone Arena

nashvillwill — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:48:00 +0000

As a Hockey fan, i'm pretty happy about this. I hope it will facilitate minor improvements to the arena. Also, every citizen of Nashville should be pleased as well. This puts a recognizable name on our most visible venue. The arena management is doing a good job of scheduling more non-hockey events than Leipold ever did, which is good for the revenue of the arena by filling empty days. If anyone has been watching the SEC tournament this weekend, i'm sure you've been as pleased as i have by how nice the place looks.

Bridgestone is a major corporate name, and has been a big sponsor of the NHL, such as the flagship sponsor of the Winter Classic. Bridgestone is a local company, which is nice.

I'm sure people around the country will now have a better understanding of this venue than when it was named something that was often mispronounced.

Also, Bridgestone signed a 5 year contract which will be the longest tenured sponsor of the arena. Hopefully naming rights extensions will follow that period.

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Sommet Center To Become Bridgestone Arena

jdavidf — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:09:54 +0000

Don't know how I missed this -- but seems pretty big.. and really, doesn't Bridgestone Arena appear to make more sense than Sommet Center? I mean, Sommet is a nice name, but the whole world knows who Bridgestone is.

WSMV

Tire Review

Bridgestone spokesperson: "...Nashville is where we live and this community is very important to us, and we want to make sure we can do everything we can to help secure the health and economic well being of the community here in Nashville.”

David

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New Construction and Crane Sightings

Nashvillain — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:23:26 +0000

James Owen, on 09 March 2010 - 10:59 AM, said:

It's been under construction since this past summer (despite the two-year delay), and should be finished soon. I'll take a picture when I can.

Actually, I think I've seen that building. Looking at the map on the craigslist listing above, I thought the location was closer to Germantown, but it's actually on the commercial strip of Jefferson close to Popeyes and Capt. D's. A picture would be welcome.

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New Construction and Crane Sightings

James Owen — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:59:39 +0000

Nashvillain, on 09 March 2010 - 10:30 AM, said:

Is that for realz? The listing says available in Spring 2008.

It's been under construction since this past summer (despite the two-year delay), and should be finished soon. I'll take a picture when I can.

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New Construction and Crane Sightings

Nashvillain — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:30:36 +0000

AMc, on 09 March 2010 - 08:25 AM, said:

New office building on Jefferson St.

New construction worthy of posting. Good looking building in a prime location.

Is that for realz? The listing says available in Spring 2008.

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New Construction and Crane Sightings

AMc — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:25:05 +0000

New office building on Jefferson St.

New construction worthy of posting. Good looking building in a prime location.

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Franklin / Williamson County

AMc — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:11:05 +0000

Williamson County ranked 17th richest in the Country. Suburbia or not, its a nice place to live.

No surprise here.

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removal of the downtown loop

RON-E — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:29:37 +0000

i would highly recommend a read of the plan of nashville book. your suggestions are covered in this book. this has been under extensive study for quite a few years before the book came out with many community meetings and feasibility studies. many of the scenarios werent possible in the current state nashvilles transit is in, but in the future it any be, only if we have more rapid transit options.

there are many many cities that dont have downtown loops and have huge booming CBD's, some larger than nashville, so i highly doubt it will hinder development in and around downtown. urban boulevards actually, in the cases that have been done and studied, spurred more development than the highway did when it was built.

i think this would launch nashville into a dense urban future, but we just dont have the kind of money this type of project would require. this plan covers many different projects all dependent on eachother. in the cases of the other cities that got rid of highways, they werent entire loops, and werent entire city plans. this would have to be phased over many many years if the expect half of what they designed to ever come to fruition.

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removal of the downtown loop

UTgrad09 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:37:56 +0000

In theory, it's a great idea. I think eventually it would give Nashville a more connected feeling inner-city, rather than having the barrier of having the interstate (I think East and North Nashville are probably the most affected by it).

However, before we even begin to entertain this idea, we need to fix the outer junctions to handle this.

-There is NO WAY I-440 can handle the sort of traffic increase this will undoubtedly bring. Not only would it need to be widened to 4 lanes (at least) on either side, but the current interchanges would need to be fixed....the most problematic being I-65, where a completely new, and much larger bridge would need to be constructed. 440 is already a nightmare at rush hour...if you could only imagine it with probably more than twice the traffic it already has.

-Briley Pkwy from I-40 to I-65 can probably handle the increase in traffic as of right now...it would get busier, but the interchanges are nice and maybe only minor modifications would need to be done. It would probably be good to add a lane on each side to the west side of Briley to ensure a smooth flow between W I-40 to W 24 and 65.

Other things that should be considered before the start of such a project:

-Will this significantly affect the driving time to downtown? The time it takes from inside the 440 loop is about 5 minutes to downtown, without traffic. Would this increase the time to 15 minutes or so? Will the new "urban boulevard" plan include a lot of new red lights that slow traffic speed down significantly? This type of thing could have quite an effect on downtown business and events. It would undoubtedly increase commute times downtown, and could affect the drive time to Titans and Predators games, as well as to mega events downtown such as FanFair and the 4th of July festivities.

Obviously it has been a trend in the past few decades to move offices into the suburbs...if something of a traffic nightmare was created due to poor planning, it could cause even more flight from downtown (or at the very least, a stall in new office building).

-Will the "reclaimed space" actually be filled along the new corridors? I am somewhat familiar with the Plan of Nashville...and one of the major points they make is how much space the downtown interchanges take up, and how property for retail/office/residential could be reclaimed by removing them. It's a nice idea, and before the recession, we did see a nice spark of development downtown...but what about the area leading up to downtown? I could see possible development budding in the Melrose area on I-65 south...also possibly I-40 in the Charlotte area. I-40/24 East is mainly industrial as it is....and I-65 north in the Trinity Ln area is a pretty bad part of town (unless you're interested in making it the new red light district).

-The loop side of 65/40 that cuts between midtown and downtown is buried below the interstate between 8th Ave and Charlotte....the road would probably have to be left that way.

I will say that I do like the plan....but a lot of research needs to be done with the feasibility of the project.

My suggestions would be as follows:

-Have a "transition area" between interstate and boulevard that last roughly halfway between the by-passes and downtown. Here the speed limit would remain 45-55 and there would be very few intersections. This would help the faster traffic ease into downtown and cut down on the travel time that would be caused by an immediate change to a boulevard.

-Incorporate a light rail line on each of the Boulevards giving us a line in each direction out of downtown.

-Very few red lights on the loop part of the boulevard to keep traffic flow around the city moving.

-Retain a few of the exits at intersections on the way into town (i.e. have a simple 4 ramp exit at roads like Wedgewood) to keep new major intersections from clogging up traffic.

Just my perspective on the issue.

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removal of the downtown loop

RON-E — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:39:33 +0000

i checked the site today... they have some old irrelevant stuff on there for some reason. im not sure if i can post a picture i scan from the book. mods, can i post a picture i scan from the actual book i have?

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removal of the downtown loop

Shuzilla — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:42:08 +0000

RON-E, on 03 March 2010 - 04:40 PM, said:

see planofnashville.com

they have the entire diagram of where the highways would converge and meet up if the downtown loop were to be removed.....

Are you referring to the "spaghetti junction" image? That's all I can find on that site.

I could see I-40 devolving into a local boulevard because thriugh-traffic could take I-440. But I can't see I-65 doing the same given all the through traffic, especially trucks. What does the Plan of Nashville have for I-65?

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removal of the downtown loop

RON-E — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:40:59 +0000

see planofnashville.com

they have the entire diagram of where the highways would converge and meet up if the downtown loop were to be removed..... i think it is a great idea, but i dont see it ever coming to fruition within the next 30 years

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removal of the downtown loop

Titans10 — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:48:04 +0000

If this was to happen, how would the interstates in Nashville connect and where??? I like the idea but I don't see how it could work

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removal of the downtown loop

AMc — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:25:42 +0000

I know this idea is thrown around in The Plan of Nashville, but how do we head in this direction? We know the obvious benefits: restoring the street grid, reconnecting neighborhoods, tree lined boulevards, etc. But what else would Nashville stand to gain or lose by undertaking such a massive project?
freeway removal success stories

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Development of the May Town Idea

wrdbrn — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:26:43 +0000

There has been little or no activity here in a long time on this issue. Par for the course. "They" think we are not watching. This issue jumps right from a no vote in Planning Commission, and grave reservations from the airport authority straight to Council tonight.

Here is the link from today's NashvilleCityPaper.com: http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/does-convention-center-help-or-hurt-may-town-center

If you are not familiar with Bells Bend area of the Cumberland visit: www.bellsbend.org

wrdbrn

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New Construction and Crane Sightings

smeagolsfree — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:48:33 +0000

For what its worth, here are a couple of more tidbits for yu guys.

The construction @ Centennial Med Center is under way. 156 or million expansion.

I have also heard there will be at least 6 tower cranes on the site of the new CC.

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New Construction and Crane Sightings

James Owen — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:27:59 +0000

timmay,

The first pic is actually Beaman Auto Group doing a major overhaul of its dealerships along Broadway. From what I've observed over there, Beaman Toyota is getting a new building (the now-standardized look) and a new two-story structure (I think) is going up that will house its other dealerships.

nashvillwill, on 28 February 2010 - 01:01 AM, said:

So my girlfriend went into Performance Studios today (the costume shop on Church across from NES) and they told her they are moving to Nolensville Rd. Their landlord is selling the property to a developer who will tear it down and build a hotel. This is what they told her anyways. Has anyone heard anything like this? Apparently the building is in bad shape and leaks alot.

Yes, this is true. The owners of Performance Studios bought (leased?) the old H. H. Gregg location on Nolensville Road (they have a sign over there that says "Coming Soon" attached to a tractor trailer), so that's where they're pretty much moving to.

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New Construction and Crane Sightings

nashvillwill — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 07:01:54 +0000

Mix Factory being converted into class A office space

thirdday2002 — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:35:43 +0000

This looks like a great project. I have thought for a long time that this is one of the ugliest buildings in Nashville. The renderings look fantastic, they're taking an ugly building with great potential and bringing that potential to reality. Well done.

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Mix Factory being converted into class A office space

AMc — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:47:21 +0000

Smart move by C.B. Ragland to take advantage of low construction costs and the optimal location of this building. The renderings look good, gotta love the renovation.

Former Nashville Castle building downtown to get green renovation

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Transit in Nashville

Shuzilla — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:47:08 +0000

timmay143, on 22 February 2010 - 12:31 PM, said:

Ok let's play mass transit tycoon (sorry, we have probably already done this, but now that regional transportation might actually happen, let's renew). I have been wondering how light rail and street cars could be designed to fit into Nashville and regional areas. Have we built ourselves into a corner? For example, take Hillsboro Village on 21st Av. This area seems like a great fit for light rail or street cars. However, how the hell would you build something like that on this already congested road?? Not only is space already limited for the rail, but traffic is pretty bad. Or maybe this isn't a good candidate for rail?

Other corridors, 8th Av/Franklin Rd., Belmont Ave., 2nd/4th Ave/Nolensville Rd, Broadway, etc. (connections North, East, West, and South). Also other corridors, could be Thompson Lane/Woodmont/Briley Pkwy/Airport and Harding Place/Donelson Pk/Airport for east to west and airport connections. How could this be done?

Hillsboro Village could just lose the street parking. A streetcar once ran down that road, co-existing with automobiles. (Does anyone have a map of Nashville's streetcar lines from around WWII? One went all the way out Belle Meade Boulevard to the park. I wouldn't be surprised if streetcars went past Green Hills.)

Your point about taking away lanes that are needed for existing traffic for transit options is also a concern of mine. However, a real commitment to mass transit, I feel, requires reshaping much of our main arteries that will create a mess for us in the upcoming decades, a sacrifice our grandchildren will come to appreciate.

For me, the reason for mass transit is not for transit's sake alone, but to allow Nashville to grow comfortably in population to over a million citizens and solving transportation issues being central to that end. If we just add light rail as another transit option, but fail to plan to grow, I think it's a waste of money. And if by servicing surrounding counties the improved connectivity adds to the outward migration of the middle class, then it's a step backwards.

If I was a transit tycoon I'd extend light rail/streetcars out to the Briley parkway/Woodmont/Thompson lane loop (plus a few more miles) out every road that had streetcars 60 years ago. I'd then rebuild each road as a boulevard with minimum traffic restictions, with an eye to segregating local and through traffic. That would take out a lot of structures that have been built since WWII, but it would put us on the road to a sustainable growth pattern lost when our "spoke" roads became endless stripmall driveways. I'd go Hausmann on the city.

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Transit in Nashville

nashvillwill — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:33:29 +0000

timmay143, on 22 February 2010 - 12:31 PM, said:

Ok let's play mass transit tycoon.... How could this be done?

Personally, i would like to see a mixture of modes. I don't mean that i would "like" it, but i think certain corridors would have different needs. To answer the question about Hilsboro Rd., you're probably right about a lack of space. This is true for the Village as well as Green Hills and Demonbreun(basically, that entire corridor). It would probably be a good fit for BRT. West End and Gallatin Rd. are probably the best candadites for light rail, with maybe Nolensville Rd. in that mix as well. I would like to see commuter rail to Murfreesboro/Franklin for sure, and maybe Clarksville. I think BRT would also fit other main roads like Murfreesboro Rd., Charlotte, and 8th into Bordeaux. A circular would be good around the Belmont/Vandy campus'. I also would like to see the pedestrian bridge include some mass transit down Shelby(maybe a trolley) and into 5 points.

The airport needs something connecting it to downtown. If Gaylord had a brain, it would be a triangle to include Opryland.

But for any of these scenarios to come true, Nashvillians will have to learn to give up their precious "turning lane", or at least learn to share it.

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Nashville Photo Du Jour

timmay143 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:34:42 +0000

Appreciate it.

Yeah, I have sensitive eyes at night as well and bright lights really get to me.

I took some shots this weekend while in Nashville. I will post them soon. It was a great day weather-wise!

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Transit in Nashville

timmay143 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:31:38 +0000

Nashville Photo Du Jour

nashvillwill — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:33:06 +0000

Timmay, thanks for all of the shots.

Just a side comment to see if anyone else has noticed this. In your 5th picture (of Icon & Terrazzo) there is a video billboard in the picture (displaying "200%...." in your shot). I drive past it every night on my way home and that freakin' thing is bright! So bright, that i think it is distracting and dangerous. It really makes me squint when i have nighttime dilated eyes. I wish they could turn the brightness of that screen down at night. Besides the danger factor, it's just plain ugly.

Timmay, i share your love of the NES building! I remember they used to light it up really well during the holiday season. They don't do it anymore, i understand why, but i kinda miss it. It was counter-productive though.

Thanks again for the shots.

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