Inner Loop - CBD, Downtown, East Bank, Germantown, Gulch, Rutledge

[PaulChinetti]

Oh thanks! 

That's true on street speed wasn't thinking of that. Side streets yes, main streets no!

[donNdonelson2]

People walking their dogs makes for good neighborhood interaction.

[chc3]

Sadly, since 95% of drivers refuse to obey the absurd “State Law” signs, Jefferson is a veritable expressway and I’d never buy a place subject to that noise.

[markhollin]

900 Division (7 stories, 22 units, ground level retail, internal garage) update: the larger trees are now removed.

Looking west from 9th Ave. South., just south of Old Division St:

[Bark At The Sun]

23 hours ago, PaulChinetti said:

How often are cities able to reroute train lines they cut through their city? That line doesn’t stop in the city anywhere does it that I know of (other than to block traffic)?

I see nothing wrong with the train route through downtown Nashville.   Big cities were built around railroads and are still vital to shipping and transportation.   If you are having traffic issues at an at grade crossing in Nashville, my suggestion would be to take an alternative route.   There are plenty of bridges and tunnels to use in the downtown core to avoid a stopped train.

[PaulChinetti]

1 hour ago, Bark At The Sun said:

I see nothing wrong with the train route through downtown Nashville.   Big cities were built around railroads and are still vital to shipping and transportation.   If you are having traffic issues at an at grade crossing in Nashville, my suggestion would be to take an alternative route.   There are plenty of bridges and tunnels to use in the downtown core to avoid a stopped train.

I would tend to agree with you except for that particular train.

It's already caused Fogg St. to be split.  
It constantly blocks 4th Ave S, a one way street out of town, that has no easy alternative route to use. 
It blocks a neighborhood farther south when it stops that only has one outlet, which has been going on forever and there is still only a bridge in the "planning" phases.

I enjoy trains, well used to before this one, haha.

[Baronakim]

1 hour ago, Bark At The Sun said:

I see nothing wrong with the train route through downtown Nashville.   Big cities were built around railroads and are still vital to shipping and transportation.   If you are having traffic issues at an at grade crossing in Nashville, my suggestion would be to take an alternative route.   There are plenty of bridges and tunnels to use in the downtown core to avoid a stopped train.

Agreed.  The only locations that were grade crossings were at 3rd Avenue N. and at 4th Ave S./ & Dudley Park that were delaying traffic. These were scarcely what I condidered as "downtown core".  The other one on Chestnust Street by Mays has only become an issue due to the spectacular growth there.  Ten years ago Chestnut was  not a very traveled street..  I think if ANY points in Nashville need resolution, the cramped RR underpass from Nolensville Pike to Second Avenue S. needs massive work.  Overall the tracks through the city are not a significant problem.  I don't see any good solution for overpasses to be built on the three grade crossings because of all the new construction.  I am curious though, when we will see the huge amount of land vacated in the Gulch yards (on both sides of Church Street viaduct) and see some development proposals?  The abandonmentment of all but 2 tracks creates a huge opportunity for new growth from Charlotte to Division.

[Bark At The Sun]

37 minutes ago, PaulChinetti said:

I would tend to agree with you except for that particular train.

It's already caused Fogg St. to be split.  
It constantly blocks 4th Ave S, a one way street out of town, that has no easy alternative route to use. 
It blocks a neighborhood farther south when it stops that only has one outlet, which has been going on forever and there is still only a bridge in the "planning" phases.

I enjoy trains, well used to before this one, haha.

The crossing at 7th and Fogg was cutoff due to the city building the Division Street Connector one block over.  The city also built a nice bridge over a CSX RR over off 28th and Charlotte.   Both projects have done well to spur development as well as provide a much safer RR crossing.  I'm sure there will be more built in other areas of the city in the future to address such needs.

[Rick Dalton]

I like the train through the gulch. It has a western / Americana vibe that I like. Although not very practical.

[markhollin]

A new restaurant called Craig's Nashville is going to add 1 floor to the 4,200 sq. ft. one level structure at 611 9th Ave. South that was most recently inhabited by The Chef and I.  A $3.5 million permit has been issued to double the size vertically.  Pfeffer Torode is the architect. No renderings yet.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/gulch-building-eyed-for-restaurant/article_9e0dc948-cf10-11ed-9fd7-879225ccc2f9.html
 

[Baronakim]

On 3/29/2023 at 8:55 AM, Bark At The Sun said:

I think it is probably better appreciated, knowing what this area looked like just a few years ago.....not much else other than a cut through to Lafayette.   The sheet metal and steel decor is fitting for that area, and will look better when the green vegetation on the side grows.  Tennessee Brew Works should be looking forward to a lot of new local walking customers from this, Albion, Moderna 6th project and the Haven.   The top and bottom photos are from Markhollin's previous posts.

I don't think some of y'all realize just hown much this project improves the area.  The triangular pool area was the site of a really nasty homeless camp beside the tracks and by the CSX shack where the end of the building is shown.  Homeless slept in the narrow area by the demo'ed building and the retaining wall every night.  The alley behind the Plaza Arts store was also a notorious flop for drunks and druggies as well.  What ever happened to the proposed tower wher Plaza Art was?

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by Baronakim

[East Side Urbanite]

On the train track theme ...

... street splits, T-intersections, hills, viaducts, railroad tracks, the serpentine Division Street ... these elements give our urban core a quirky and distinctive form and function. I would much rather have that model than, for example, the flat and monotonously street-gridded Oklahoma City.

 

 

[MLBrumby]

1 hour ago, East Side Urbanite said:

On the train track theme ...

... street splits, T-intersections, hills, viaducts, railroad tracks, the serpentine Division Street ... these elements give our urban core a quirky and distinctive form and function. I would much rather have that model than, for example, the flat and monotonously street-gridded Oklahoma City.

 

 

Agreed! 

To beat the dead horse one more time, this is all the more reason NOT to rename portions of streets. It's bad enough when Old Hickory Boulevard encircles the whole city, EXCEPT in segments where it either doesn't exist or does in a disjointed fashion. To make the case closer to the core, downtown has lots of disconnected streets (to wit Wedgewood to Blakemore to 31st. The Tourists downtown see the name of a street that was formerly a numbered street as the address of their hotel, and then that gets in the mix with the other streets downtown. Not very pedestrian friendly IMHO.  One of the best things about NYC for walkers is you can get an idea (not only) the distance (but also) and direction (avenues... streets) where you need to go. 

If the Metro Council weren't a bunch of clowns, they'd actually work on bringing consistency to street names... and where possible reconnecting them.  And of course, where historic figures are honored by street names right now, they can make public spaces that honor them.

[Archibum]

On 3/31/2023 at 4:22 PM, East Side Urbanite said:

On the train track theme ...

... street splits, T-intersections, hills, viaducts, railroad tracks, the serpentine Division Street ... these elements give our urban core a quirky and distinctive form and function. I would much rather have that model than, for example, the flat and monotonously street-gridded Oklahoma City.

 

 

And things like that help to make an urban space feel smaller and more manageable too. When you look down a street, instead of it continuing on and on and on, you see a terminus and your eye has something to reference. On the flip side, if you have a terminus, it wants to be something of significance, or and least of visual significance. Imagine looking down a nice urban street and seeing a nice concrete parking garage. Kind of ruins the space if planners and developers aren't thoughtful and respectful of how a person perceives the urban space.

[East Side Urbanite]

On 3/31/2023 at 6:10 PM, MLBrumby said:

Agreed! 

To beat the dead horse one more time, this is all the more reason NOT to rename portions of streets. It's bad enough when Old Hickory Boulevard encircles the whole city, EXCEPT in segments where it either doesn't exist or does in a disjointed fashion. To make the case closer to the core, downtown has lots of disconnected streets (to wit Wedgewood to Blakemore to 31st. The Tourists downtown see the name of a street that was formerly a numbered street as the address of their hotel, and then that gets in the mix with the other streets downtown. Not very pedestrian friendly IMHO.  One of the best things about NYC for walkers is you can get an idea (not only) the distance (but also) and direction (avenues... streets) where you need to go. 

If the Metro Council weren't a bunch of clowns, they'd actually work on bringing consistency to street names... and where possible reconnecting them.  And of course, where historic figures are honored by street names right now, they can make public spaces that honor them.

Agree, and particularly in the core. I'm all for the city having a John Lewis Way but not as part of Fifth Avenue in the CBD. Keep the numbered streets numbered in the epicenter to help visitors and local alike for orientation,

7 hours ago, Archibum said:

And things like that help to make an urban space feel smaller and more manageable too. When you look down a street, instead of it continuing on and on and on, you see a terminus and your eye has something to reference. On the flip side, if you have a terminus, it wants to be something of significance, or and least of visual significance. Imagine looking down a nice urban street and seeing a nice concrete parking garage. Kind of ruins the space if planners and developers aren't thoughtful and respectful of how a person perceives the urban space.

I agree fully. This is one reason Boston such an interesting CBD. The angled streets, water, etc. The hodge-podge nature give Boston a quirky and interesting feel. Of course, having lots of beautiful traditional buildings is a major help.

[markhollin]

107 4th Ave North (6 story entertainment bar) update.

Looking west from 4th Ave. North, 1/4 block north of Broadway:
 

[markhollin]

7th & Jefferson by Mainland (see March 29, 2023 entry on page 789 of this thread) has been approved by MDHA Design Review Committee.  It will be 3 and 5 stories with 10 condos and 6 townhomes. 

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/metro-oks-germantown-residential-project-plan/article_0a408710-d31a-11ed-9ee5-cffd95602e65.html

[markhollin]

Bottled Blonde (6 story entertainment bar) update: former structure completely razed.

Looking south from Broadway, 1/2 block east of 3rd Ave:

[markhollin]

Iberian Pig restaurant expansion (adding 2nd floor) update.

Looking SW from intersection of Overton St. and Mansion St:

Looking NW from Overton St., 1/2 block north of Division St:

[markhollin]

6th Ave. South and Lea Ave. update:  appears it might be sewer work.

[markhollin]

Modera Germantown (5 stories, 800 units, ground level retail, internal garages) Phase II update.

Looking NW across the Cumberland from River North Landings:

[markhollin]

Schermerhorn Symphony Hall (courtesy of Kalucci):

[markhollin]

405 Broadway (5 story, 30,000 sq. ft.  Bon Jovi-themed bar) update:  more foundational work.

Looking west from 4th Ave. South, 1/8 block south of Broadway:

[markhollin]

411 Broadway (4 stories, Garth Brooks' Friends in Low Places entertainment bar) update: 2 floor addition in back topped-out.

Looking west from alley between Broadway and Symphony Place, 1/8 block west of 4th Ave. South:

[markhollin]

A couple new smaller projects announced in the Inner Loop:

1) NES Substation at Gay St. and and 1st Ave. North (2 stories):

This screen shot from Smeagolsfree's excellent development map shows the site highlighted in teal at the center of the frame:




2) Christ Church Cathedral will build a 2 story, 15,744 sq. ft.  addition on the north side of the property. No rendering available.

 

This screen shot from Smeagolsfree's excellent development map shows the site highlighted in teal at the center of the frame: