Printer & Bank (16 & 6 stories, 193'; 265 residential units; 33,637 sq. ft. retail; 3 level underground garage)

[Licec]

On 9/3/2021 at 9:03 AM, Nash_12South said:

Geez folks, why is there a perpetual chip on some shoulders in this forum? I'm almost afraid to post anything at this point for fear of being dragged through the dirt if I get a fact wrong or my opinion differs from those on high. 

I don't know why people say things and don't think that it should be questioned or challenged. 

[BnaBreaker]

Damn this is a sharp development!  I love to see the renewed focus on Printer's Alley and giving it a spit shine and an expansion while not diminishing the spirit and history of it.  Printer's Alley deserves to be cherished... definitely not many cities that can boast a unique space like that!  

[Nashvillain]

2 hours ago, Licec said:

 

Maybe it's because people prefer to drive a car instead of walking or riding a bike 2, 3, 4, 5 miles or having their life limited to a radius of 1 mile because of not having personal transportation. Most people don't want to live like that.

Yes, of course. But there's a difference between preferring to drive and needing to drive. And I think it would be great if more people had a choice. The freedom to choose; isn't that what we're about? 

[BnaBreaker]

6 minutes ago, Nashvillain said:

Yes, of course. But there's a difference between preferring to drive and needing to drive. And I think it would be great if more people had a choice. The freedom to choose; isn't that what we're about? 

Well put.  I do think it's odd that the argument from folks opposed to funding alternative forms of transit usually, in the end, boils down to a strawman about how they don't want to be 'forced' out of their cars and onto trains or have their freedom of movement limited, when in reality these pro transit measures are about providing MORE freedom of movement for everybody.

[UTgrad09]

6 hours ago, Nashvillain said:

Yes, of course. But there's a difference between preferring to drive and needing to drive. And I think it would be great if more people had a choice. The freedom to choose; isn't that what we're about? 

If there wasn't demand for parking downtown, would any development include it?

From an idealist point of view, I get what you are saying -- that why should something in this dense part of downtown have to include parking? 

But the argument you are making -- about the freedom of choice -- is it not the developer's choice to include parking? And is not not the freedom of the residents of the development to choose if they utilize parking? 

When there are enough amenities downtown to justify a non-car lifestyle, then you will see more people choosing to live a non-car lifestyle. I don't think you can just make it happen by restricting parking. Add the amenities. And when people stop paying for their parking spots in developments, you will see developments including less and less parking.

[Nashvillain]

On 9/5/2021 at 12:35 AM, UTgrad09 said:

If there wasn't demand for parking downtown, would any development include it?

From an idealist point of view, I get what you are saying -- that why should something in this dense part of downtown have to include parking? 

But the argument you are making -- about the freedom of choice -- is it not the developer's choice to include parking? And is not not the freedom of the residents of the development to choose if they utilize parking? 

When there are enough amenities downtown to justify a non-car lifestyle, then you will see more people choosing to live a non-car lifestyle. I don't think you can just make it happen by restricting parking. Add the amenities. And when people stop paying for their parking spots in developments, you will see developments including less and less parking.

The developers are forced to include parking by the lenders and more often than not, by zoning. There is no free choice in the matter. Condo buyers and apartment renters are forced to pay for the parking spot in the building, whether they want to or not. So I don't understand what choice you're talking about. 

Edited September 6, 2021 by Nashvillain

[Armacing]

22 hours ago, Nashvillain said:

 Condo buyers and apartment renters are forced to pay for the parking spot in the building, whether they want to or not. So I don't understand what choice you're talking about. 

Yeah, but they're choosing to live downtown, so that's still a choice.  But you do bring up a good point about zoning forcing the inclusion of parking - - that zoning (and all zoning) should be removed so builders can build exactly what buyers/renters want to live in and want to pay for.

[Nashvillain]

28 minutes ago, Armacing said:

Yeah, but they're choosing to live downtown, so that's still a choice.  But you do bring up a good point about zoning forcing the inclusion of parking - - that zoning (and all zoning) should be removed so builders can build exactly what buyers/renters want to live in and want to pay for.

Regardless where you choose to live you're forced to pay for parking. What I'm trying to reinforce (beat into the ground) is that downtown is where the choice to drive or not to drive should be easiest to make because there should be compelling options. But as of now, there still are no options (without options, there is no choice). People keep insisting that parking is required because the transit infrastructure isn't there, but IMO, transit will never be viable so long as driving and parking is so convenient. Transit, walking, and biking--in the city--needs to be better options than driving 

[markhollin]

Nice coverage on the Printer & Bank development on NashvilleNowNext featuring several before/after comparisons of particular angles:

https://nashvillenownext.com/2021/09/07/see-whats-now-next-at-the-bankers-alley-mixed-use-development/

[nashvylle]

Looking forward to this project being rejected due to height or something...

[markhollin]

MDHA Design Review Committee will vote Tuesday, Oct 5th on the concept plan for Printer & Bank. 

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/mdha-committee-to-vote-on-mixed-use-project/article_9ce715a8-2537-11ec-9a3e-a38c72060d26.html

[markhollin]

MDHA Design Review Committee today assessed the plan for Printer & Bank, but did not take a vote.   Huh.  No word on why. 

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here: 

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/mdha-committee-assesses-mixed-use-project-plan/article_e4cc75aa-25f2-11ec-8ffa-839bcdc79103.html

[Darwin]

7 hours ago, markhollin said:

MDHA Design Review Committee today assessed the plan for Printer & Bank, but did not take a vote.   Huh.  No word on why.

Do you know if it is common for them not to take a vote, and what that usually signifies?

[smeagolsfree]

8 hours ago, Darwin said:

Do you know if it is common for them not to take a vote, and what that usually signifies?

It’s very common for them not to take a vote. I have sat in on a number of those meetings and they will see one thing they have a question on and have the developer come back. Again I say this should be a Historic Commission decision only and not MDHA. This group has outlived its purpose in the downtown area. I said that 10 years ago. 

[Darwin]

14 hours ago, smeagolsfree said:

It’s very common for them not to take a vote. I have sat in on a number of those meetings and they will see one thing they have a question on and have the developer come back. Again I say this should be a Historic Commission decision only and not MDHA. This group has outlived its purpose in the downtown area. I said that 10 years ago. 

Ahh ok, good to know, thanks.

[Darwin]

https://www.wkrn.com/news/nashville-2021/plans-in-the-works-to-revitalize-nashvilles-bankers-alley/

Here's a video about this project, which includes an interview with one of the architects.

[smeagolsfree]

There was a community meeting last week for the project and the reception was very positive. The only concerns were really over how they were going to deal with garbage.

I understand this too. It is a major concern for all of the businesses in Printers Alley. They do not want cans sitting out and smells lingering. Also how they were going to deal with delivery.

The image of a cafe sitting in the middle of Bankers alley was a bit too much of the artist being given too much liberty with the brush and his imagination. Not going to happen as the alley will stay open to vehicles.

There are some new images here but I just cant capture them easily right now. Feel free to capture and share.

 

[smeagolsfree]

MDHA approves Printer Alley project. According to a release, the project will offer 300 rental residential units and approximately 12,000 to 15,000 square feet of retail space.  The tallest portion of the overall structure (at 217 Third Ave. N.) is designed to rise 180 (179)feet. For comparison, the Hotel Indigo structure sitting on an adjacent site rises almost 200 feet.

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/mdha-approves-printers-alley-project/article_ab41e270-3100-11ec-b17d-db18cd518be1.html

 

 

[UrbanWes03]

They've done a great job of fusing the old with the new IMO. A big fan of the materials for the street front facade. You can really tell they worked hard on the integration and design. Glad it's been approved. With this and the second ave reconstruction, the older parts of the CBD are filling in very nicely and thoughtfully. 

[MLBrumby]

More about this proposal from the NBJ:  https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2021/10/20/printers-alley-rubicon.html

This is the sort of development I really like, not just for the historical renovation/reuse in context, but also the new pedestrian connections between the various nodes & streets downtown. The developers mention also the new replacement building for the bombed buildings on Second Avenue. Then all that's needed will be Titanhog's riverside cafe walkway along First Avenue. 

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2021 by MLBrumby

[Luvemtall]

This project is definitely awesome! Mixing old with new in a beautiful way. 100% agree about the connections and of course Titanhog’s cafe’ walkway along 1st! 

[Luvemtall]

Thinking about it, what do you all think about a project like this on the parking lot at 2nd & Church? Keeping with the architecture of the surrounding buildings, but having new housing and street level activation.

[MLBrumby]

11 minutes ago, Luvemtall said:

Thinking about it, what do you all think about a project like this on the parking lot at 2nd & Church? Keeping with the architecture of the surrounding buildings, but having new housing and street level activation.

Agree!

[markhollin]

More coverage of MDHA approval at NashvilleNowNext:

https://nashvillenownext.com/2021/10/19/mdha-approves-the-design-of-the-bankers-alley-mixed-use-development/

[markhollin]

The .23 acre surface lot at 215 3rd Ave. North has been purchased for $3.35 million by Gabe Coltea of Rubicon for part of the planned Printer & Bank project. 

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/printer-s-alley-surface-parking-lot-sells-for-3-35m/article_acc799c8-465e-11ec-a15b-cf2767bba8e2.html


And at NBJ here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2021/11/16/printers-alley-project-moves-forward.html

New rendering: