Leaderboard

The current mess of "rail-locked" territory at Chestnut and 4th, has been in force for over a hundred years, and even during the 1940s and '50s, trains along that former NC&St.L main-line were much more frequent than they are now, even though they were much shorter in length, being both freight and passenger. It is typical Nashville old extents of the core grid, when the old city corporation limits were jaggedly bound just south of and parallel to Humphreys St. and including the northern tip of Rains Ave., that grid streets often ended or looped back along these boundaries, frequently, in the case of Nashville, in a fragmented misaligned array. The Wedgewood-Houston (WeHo) district, in particular, evolved as the industrial SE edge of the town proper, over a half century prior to city-county consolidation. Also as was typical of the South in general, of "small cities" with concentrations of rail-served industries, railroad tracks rarely were grade separated from intersecting urban streets, except at sites of gulches to accommodate terminal activity. WeHo is one of those quintessential examples formed of "industrial wonderlands" of factories, water-towers, bulk silos, and train tracks of two separate Class-I railroads. I would say that, just as with many other instances of lack of foresight, during the last 35 years of forgone opportunities, the city might have been able to rectify the inherently notorious compound-directional gridlock of the 4th Ave and Chestnut St. crossings, had it acquired the land formerly occupied by the Purina (Ralston) silos on the triangular area bound by 4th, Chestnut, and the railroad, following a tragic event in summer 1992, when one of several children playing in the area, climbed onto the top of one of the abandoned silo pods and fell into it to the bottom. The structures were leveled soon after. It might have been feasible to at least establish an under- or overpass at 4th without adversely affecting the Houston, Humphreys, and Rains roadways, even with a study of realignment of these to tie into 3rd Ave extended south, passing under or over the railroad to establish some level of sanity to that connectivity-deprived hodgepodge of short and obliquely joined streets, as with Houston, which is might appear adorable but which are dangerous to both pedestrians and motorists alike. The city also could have coordinated that same effort with a plan to ease the chicanery in negotiating the Ensley - 2nd Ave narrow "race-track", which in part was built on the former Radnor streetcar line alignment. Now it's become all but far too late, with that parcel now occupied by the recent Woodstock at Chestnut re-development. The unique mix of railroad, old industrial adaptive reuse, and contemporary comprise a highly charming core urban district, but it only will become worse, since that railway path has become only more congested with overcapacity. -==-

Shot from the citrus bowl. With the field being sunk it looks short compared to the skyline.

Hey guys! Back from a trip. As far as the TSA lines, I hope you have been following the news on this. It is not just a Nashville problem, but nationwide. The TSA just will not ever be able to do the job, simply because it is the Feds doing it. If you want in inefficiency with anything, put the government in charge. Also the baggage fees have contributed to the problem because of greed of the airlines. The third major issue is that ticket prices have dropped to the lowest level in 5 years, so many more people are traveling. Why would anyone want to fly to a city that is 3 to 5 hour away drive time when they can make it faster or as fast driving is beyond me. Air travel can take an entire day just to get 8 to 10 hours away by driving. If I can drive, I'm going to do it.

A day after the city of Charlotte warned American Airlines was on “high alert” over the possibility of losing its aviation fuel tax exemption because of the airline’s opposition to House Bill 2, the N.C. House passed its budget on final reading Thursday – with no mention of the exemption. Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article78652807.html#storylink=cpy

TBT: Bridgestone Arena right after completion in December of 1996. Note that the two tallest structures in SoBro at that time were the Thermal Plant (may she continue to burn in Hell), and the Bell Tower Church at corner of Franklin (now KVB) and 4th Avenue South. Demonbreun Street Bridge was still carrying vehicular traffic. Gateway Bridge was not yet in existence. Amazing changes in less than two decades. And mind-bending to think of all the additional growth in the next ten years.

A few photos of Lipscomb University's new engineering building under construction on the NW side of campous near Grandview and Belmont. These were taken May 8th. I got news yesterday that the houses at 3702, 3704, 3706, and 3710 on Belmont blvd will be demolished this summer for their expansion plans.

Not sure if this was mentioned on here in another thread. But Nashville was awarded a United Soccer League franchise http://wkrn.com/2016/05/19/usl-awards-soccer-franchise-to-nashville-owned-group/ http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/650233?referrer_id=2333971

Nashville climbing up the ladder. Forbes has the latest ranking for Job Growth, and Nashville is now 4th... http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2016/05/19/forbes-ranks-nashville-no-4-job-growth/84604152/ Twenty percent growth in five years!!! Ahead of Dallas and Austin!

Yep, office trailer dropped near the surface lot next to the panthers stadium. Here we go! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm excited for the location because it will continue to make uptown more "3D" or contribute to a solid "core" as opposed to how we used to be linear along Tryon and pretty much that was it. I wish home plate lofts, the BBT outfield building, another building beside Ascent or behind Trademark would be built, and of course Gateway, and third ward will be a really solid downtown area that doesn't follow a street or two.

Great response rookzie! There have been great strides (slowing traffic, revitalizing businesses along those streets) in taking one way streets and turning them into two way streets in other cities especially Louisville. I wonder if making 2nd and 4th would help alleviate some of the railroad crossing nonsense. 2nd already has an under pass, which would obviously need to be overhauled but it would be doable. http://www.planetizen.com/node/69354 Unfortunately as Nashville is, it's reactive instead of proactive, so I'm afraid it'll take someone else getting killed or something terrible to happen before they do anything about it. I've been sitting at the crossing on 4th and seen an ambulance come down 4th Ave and have to turn off it's lights and stop, that can't be good for anyone...

Really interesting to learn the history of this area. This whole industrial area from Wedgwood-Houston to Trevecca to Polk Ave should be developed into a cool, connected industrial urban core of sorts. As mentioned, it's so close to downtown and has so much potential long term as Nashville continues to grow up into an attractive, dynamic city. Investors are clearly seeing the writing on the wall (Core Development sticking their toes into the water on Herron Dr). What options does the city have to connect the traffic flow long term so this area reaches it's full potential? It's perfect for affordable housing developments as well, to provide people who work downtown with apartments that aren't "luxury" like so many that are being built.

The NCGA's latest shenanigans focus on ending solar and wind energy development in NC. If it passes this will be a significant blow to the Charlotte energy cluster: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article78468957.html Just when I think we can't move backwards any faster....

Crane operator Chris Meeks sent this sunrise pic to WKRN. From their Facebook page.

That's how I felt about the nonexistent buildings in the old Ascend rendering. However, with 222 and whatever will end up behind Market St Apts, it may come true.

Looking SW across from Courthouse Square observation deck toward Stahlman and Indigo buildings facing Union Street. Has a bit of the feel of looking along Michigan Avenue near the Congress Hotel from Grant Park in Chicago. Strangely, I found this shot on a Jacksonville, FL site:

More Midtown... M-RES....19 Floors WEST END.... Urban Density... And the Scarritt College Campus, just because it may be the most beautiful place in Nashville...

According to the emerging trends report done by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Urban Land institute for 2016, Charlotte is consistently rated as one of the best areas to watch across the board and coming in at number 3 on the list of U.S. Markets to Watch: Overall Real Estate Prospects (page 41), only after Dallas and Austin. Charlotte also ranks as best in the south region for hotel prospects. http://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/Emerging-Trends-in-Real-Estate-United-States-and-Canada-2016.pdf

These are already removed from the walls. I think the Observer folks took with them.

One would hope LH saves the historic Observer granite headline plaques and somehow incorporate them into the new project. Maybe even keep them on the same corner. https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2246059,-80.8496519,3a,58y,248.97h,79.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sk-1KHUjnnbuWMdzk7uxQVw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

I think the real question is what kind of visual impact will it have from I-4?

I know someone who had been working with them and last I heard they still had not found a definite home, but that was probably over a month ago at this point. I do know they want to be in southend or further down by OMB / Sugar Creek. Agreed on the timing aspect though.

I've seen the lights on a few times in the last couple of years. They certainly are NOT the landmark sight they were in the arena's early years. I miss them shining up into the night sky--almost could imagine them as "Batman beacons."

Well that's only true if you have a connection. I'll take an hour flight with TSA precheck all day every day rather than spend 4 to 5 hours on I-35 just to get from San Antonio to the metroplex. I agree, it's a mess. I typically have at least 2 trips a month that I have to fly for and I usually hear a different song from TSA each time. The problem is how would security be regulated if the feds aren't in charge? Do we want to go the state route? Is Mississippi going to follow their common trend and have the worst aviation security in the country? Private route? Certain contractors for each airport? Each airline?

But the important shot will be the beauty shot OF the skyline from the stadium. Hopefully giving another recognizable Orlando feature with the Allen Fountain to the TV viewing public.

DH Griffin on site when I ran past at lunch...would appear demolition is imminent.

The latest glimpse into the actual computing power I get out of my MacBook Pro.... ETA bigger image

Population estimates for July 2015 are out today. Here are the new estimates, along with the number of new residents over 2014 estimates:Fayetteville – 82,830, added 2,008.Springdale – 77,859, added 1,422 Rogers – 63,159, added 1,561Bentonville – 44,499, added 2,790Growth has accelerated around here.

Nashville and Tennessee launching campaign to recruit more construction workers: http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/05/18/our-building-boom-is-begging-for-workers-and-this.html

A designer RFP for the courthouse dropped, listing nearly 200,000 SF for the "annex" and renovating the 135,000 SF existing building. The budget is set for $125-140 million. This project will be a beast.

Y'all . . . take a deep breath. Everything will pass. The bill will be overturned for being unconstitutionally over broad, and all these companies and entertainment acts that are taking a "stand" will tear down their paper fences. Development happens over years and years. Charlotte will be alright in the longterm, and, hell, will probably have a #AlwaysWelcomeCharlotte mini music festival to celebrate once repealed, making up a bit of revenue. Not to mention, we're hosting the freaking Special Olympics U.S. qualifying rounds. These firms look so damn foolish IMO. On the heels of the CIAA [historically black college conference] and in the face of the city's hosting of paralyzed athletes, they scream from the rooftop that we're all a bunch of racists and objectifiers and need to be boycotted. Now you tell me if HB2 can withstand that kind of lunacy. There's an obvious friction between our values, the State's reactionary "solution," and the PR campaign by firm's "against" us--and that friction will bring change. I understand it stirs emotion, but . . . deep breaths.

I would not be to concerned of this even getting out of committee much less to the full floor.....this bill was sponsored by ONE representative from the coastal area of NC. See the excerpt from the article below. I read this in the Charlotte Observer this morning as well. Another NON-NATIVE Tar Heel in our legislature (retired energy executive from DC) representing a constituency that is primarily retirees or second home owners from outside of the state! Cook’s bill has been assigned to the Senate Rules and Operations Committee, generally regarded as a holding pen for bills that lack widespread support. Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article78468957.html#storylink=cpy

Thought this looked cool

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/05/19/census-shows-big-us-cities-continue-grow/84552378/ According to USA Today, we had the 10th largest population growth of major cities. Pretty impressive! Now drop the N.C. after Charlotte!

Originally from Charlotte but live in Boston now. Took my girlfriend (She's from France) to Charlotte and while she much preferred the people in the south, the food and weather, her biggest complaint about Charlotte in particular was "Where are all the stores??" There is nowhere to shop and stroll. Beating a dead horse I know, but it is suchhh a huge thing that needs to happen downtown.

the threat to repeal the AA's sales tax exemption because of their stand on HB2 is getting realer. We have now entered the phase of tragic stupidity. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article78441862.html

The "core" would almost certainly be Chestnut St, I would think. More specifically, the intersection of Chestnut and Houston St. and adjoining blocks. One accessibility issue that will become more pronounced as Wedgewood-Houston continues to grow in popularity, particularly after hours, are the CSX level crossings on Chestnut and on 4th Ave S. When trains pass through, traffic on those two streets is stopped and can back up significantly. There are a couple of creative ways to circumnavigate the crossings (Oak St. behind the City Cemetery or the Ensley St. tunnel), but only if you've thought of your "escape" route in sufficient time before getting boxed into traffic waiting at the crossings. I don't know if there is a solution or if the solution is to simply embrace the crossings as one of the quirks of the neighborhood.

Agree completely. This area could really become desirable/hot for several reasons. 1. It's super close to downtown 2. It's got large parcels if it continues to grow through the Trevecca area and towards Murfreesboro Rd (Core Development is venturing into this area, you can buy industrial large buildings/lots at reasonable prices and convert them) 3. Industrial older buildings are unique and create a vibe in an area when converted. Something different than other cookie cutter neighborhoods. Now to make this vision come to it's fullest fruition, some "ahead of time" thinking has to be utilized by Metro. As you say, the area needs to be walkable. SIDEWALK investment to draw in developers and future residents. Traffic needs to be able to flow. Connect Wedgewood with Fesslers. With some intelligent investment/planning, we could have a really unique, vibey neighborhood grow up in the years to come.

They also need to add a passenger exit to baggage claim from the new(ish) E checkpoint. The cluster of people intersecting at D is terrible.

The E Concourse expansion just got bigger. It is now a 13 gate expansion. Originally it was a 6 gate expansion, then bumped up to a 10 gate expansion and now it is a 13 gate expansion. The project is currently out to bid and construction will likely start in late summer. American must have some expansion plans for CLT requesting this many new gates.

Music City Center interior lobby along the Demonbreun Street side looking west:

A walk around Mid-Town yesterday.....(what is the correct way to spell that?)... Some Skyhouse pictures... The Aertson Apartments/Kimpton Hotel... The Element....

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/life/entertainment/story/2016/may/15/recreatidestination-arearound-choo-choo-being/365294/ Area between Chattanooga Choo Choo, Terminal Brewhouse being developed as a new entertainment district

More infill on Southside near Finley Stadium: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/diary/story/2016/may/14/6-millioffice-condo-project-planned-chattanoo/365544/

I'm sure there are scores of Parisians who've just been dying for a quicker, cheaper way to get to Raleigh, North Carolina...

A 3-ounce bottle of gas won't go very far, sorry.

Because I'm a visual person: CHA entering TN market (finally): http://www.starwoodhotels.com/corporate/directory/hotels/north-america/us/tn/list.html?language=en_US Aloft CHA DTN: CHA Westin: (assuming this is the design going forward, still)

Aloft Hotel to go into historic building downtown. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2016/may/08/old-chattanoogbank-building-hold-new-aloft-ho/364369/

Today's the big day for the return of JetBlue and the start of United mainline to San Francisco & Newark! A busy day for the the airport.

Recently completed Holiday Inn I believe downtown, thought it was cool how they blended the parking garage into the building(even though the building is hideous). The two floors above the ground floor are parking garage! Current status of 10 Cherokee on the North Shore