Possible "highrise" proposal in Bristol?

[Tennesseestorm]

I heard the rumor at work today that another highrise (potentially the highest - meaning over 11 stories) may be proposed for either Bristol, TN or across the state line of downtown in Bristol, VA. A lady at work said that she heard that were going to build a highrise building for low income housing in the "projects" area. Some of the older buildings there were so run down, I heard that they were demolitioned. I have not been in that area in awhile, so I was unaware. I stay out of the area, as I have no need to go through there and the crime rate is high in there. We used to have to drive through there up until the early 1990s to visit my great grandmother, who lived on the north central side of town and driving through there was the quickest way to her house, which was in the nice historic district. I remember even back then it was scary driving through there, especially at night.

This new building may mean the demise of the other 3-4 story complexes down there.

We have about 4 buildings that are 10 stories high, but I think it would be neat for us to finally get a 20 or more story building in the downtown area.

Anyway, I have e-mailed the city to see if there is any truth to this rumor. I will post out my findings later.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I heard the rumor at work today that another highrise (potentially the highest - meaning over 11 stories) may be proposed for either Bristol, TN or across the state line of downtown in Bristol, VA. A lady at work said that she heard that were going to build a highrise building for low income housing in the "projects" area. Some of the older buildings there were so run down, I heard that they were demolitioned. I have not been in that area in awhile, so I was unaware. I stay out of the area, as I have no need to go through there and the crime rate is high in there. We used to have to drive through there up until the early 1990s to visit my great grandmother, who lived on the north central side of town and driving through there was the quickest way to her house, which was in the nice historic district. I remember even back then it was scary driving through there, especially at night.

This new building may mean the demise of the other 3-4 story complexes down there.

We have about 4 buildings that are 10 stories high, but I think it would be neat for us to finally get a 20 or more story building in the downtown area.

Anyway, I have e-mailed the city to see if there is any truth to this rumor. I will post out my findings later.

Sounds great, all Bristol needs is a failed Stalinist housing block unit for the po' folks modeled on Cabrini-Green in Chicago. Most cities are moving to tear down these monsters and Bristol is about 50 years behind the times in wanting to BUILD one... unbelievable.

[Tennesseestorm]

Well, according to the reply from the person in charge of development on the VA side of the city, this is not true, as she said they knew nothing of this at this time. Perhaps it is supposed to be on the TN side of town? There is really no need for another "low cost" housing complex. Yeah, there are some people that are in poverty here, but not that many. There are plenty of the units still available in the "projects".

On another note, as mentioned before, it was also rumored that they were considering building a 20+ story hotel in downtown Bristol, but I have not heard anything else about it.

Yeah, Bristol is behind on the highrises. Still, the tallest buildings are only about 10-11 stories high and here they are.....

Sounds great, all Bristol needs is a failed Stalinist housing block unit for the po' folks modeled on Cabrini-Green in Chicago. Most cities are moving to tear down these monsters and Bristol is about 50 years behind the times in wanting to BUILD one... unbelievable.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Well, according to the reply from the person in charge of development on the VA side of the city, this is not true, as she said they knew nothing of this at this time. Perhaps it is supposed to be on the TN side of town? There is really no need for another "low cost" housing complex. Yeah, there are some people that are in poverty here, but not that many. There are plenty of the units still available in the "projects".

On another note, as mentioned before, it was also rumored that they were considering building a 20+ story hotel in downtown Bristol, but I have not heard anything else about it.

Yeah, Bristol is behind on the highrises. Still, the tallest buildings are only about 10-11 stories high and here they are.....

These 2 shots make the downtown look rather seedy and forlorn. I surely hope something can be done to bring some life back to these areas, attract businesses, and restore the buildings and their facades. As they say, once they're gone, there's no bringing them back. I'm glad to hear, at least with regards to the VA side, that they're not seeking to warehouse poor folks in some high-rise nightmare. Hopefully, too, it will prove an unfounded rumor for the TN side of Bristol.

Towns like Bristol I don't really see as being potential sites for mid or high rises, to be honest. They are more treasure-troves of older, smaller buildings that should be transformed and revitalized.

[Tennesseestorm]

Yes, I agree. I believe that these buildings are also going to be undergoing the renovation updates. As mentioned before, much of the downtown area is going under a major facelift. The new library was recently built and opened. It was a very $$$$$$$ project. The "Executive Plaza" building you see there was built in 1900. Naturally, it is a bit rundown, since it has not had a "facelift" since the 1970s. It would be a shame though to see the oldest taller building torn down though. The building is still very sound and is full of offices. I personally would like to see a remodel of this one. Ironically, both of these photos are of the Virginia side of the city- looking south and southeast.

The other cream colored 7 story building you see in the background of the older run down buildings was built in 1974 and is still in excellent condition. I agree with you that the buildings in the foreground look dilapidated in comparison in some areas, but I think these are also part of the remodel projects.

You think those are run down, how about this one about a half a mile from these:

This was the hospital before 1952, if I recall. Two hospitals have been built since then.

The city of Bristol ordered this building to either be demolished, or remodeled soon. The owner is unsure of the current plans. At this time, it serves as shelter for the homeless in the downtown area - (the ones that do not live in the alleys, or "The Jungle"- which is a story in itself.

These 2 shots make the downtown look rather seedy and forlorn. I surely hope something can be done to bring some life back to these areas, attract businesses, and restore the buildings and their facades. As they say, once they're gone, there's no bringing them back. I'm glad to hear, at least with regards to the VA side, that they're not seeking to warehouse poor folks in some high-rise nightmare. Hopefully, too, it will prove an unfounded rumor for the TN side of Bristol.

Towns like Bristol I don't really see as being potential sites for mid or high rises, to be honest. They are more treasure-troves of older, smaller buildings that should be transformed and revitalized.

[fieldmarshaldj]

^^

Wow, Executive Plaza was built in 1900 ? I was guessing around 1930, it seems unusually free of a more elaborate Victorian facade you'd expect of a circa 1900 building. The sign is rather '70s-style cheesy and detracts from the overall apparance of the structure. I'm glad to hear something will be done about the neighboring buildings. That more modern-style '74 structure looks badly out of place amongst its neighbors (almost looks like a jail or some criminal courts-style building).

Too bad about the old hospital. Aside from remodeling it into apartments, I can't imagine what else could be done with it. It's quite possible it may not be structurally sound, though.

[Tennesseestorm]

Sorry, I stand corrected. It was actually built in 1921. I went back and did a little research @ this website (from 2005) that you may find interesting. You can "click" on some of the squares that represent buildings and it lists info on some. However, it does not seem to list the ones built beyond 1982, which was when a lot of the taller buildings were built here. Also, even some of the older buildings are not shown.

About the building built in 74' - yeah, it is a rather plain building, but it is a neat building that breaks up the same old buildings in the downtown area. It is a bank now, as it has been for as long as I can remember. The 2nd floor is actually a parking garage. Here is a close-up of the front:

Definitely has the 70s look.

That "1900" era you are referring to may resemble this building. This is not in Bristol however, it is in Elizabethton, which is just south of Bristol. I took these the other day......

Then they have their 70s and 80s looking buildings too....

BTW- I notice you are from Antioch, Tennessee - where is that located? I have never heard of it before......

Is it a small city? Any taller buildings there?

^^

Wow, Executive Plaza was built in 1900 ? I was guessing around 1930, it seems unusually free of a more elaborate Victorian facade you'd expect of a circa 1900 building. The sign is rather '70s-style cheesy and detracts from the overall apparance of the structure. I'm glad to hear something will be done about the neighboring buildings. That more modern-style '74 structure looks badly out of place amongst its neighbors (almost looks like a jail or some criminal courts-style building).

Too bad about the old hospital. Aside from remodeling it into apartments, I can't imagine what else could be done with it. It's quite possible it may not be structurally sound, though.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Sorry, I stand corrected. It was actually built in 1921. I went back and did a little research @ this website (from 2005) that you may find interesting. You can "click" on some of the squares that represent buildings and it lists info on some. However, it does not seem to list the ones built beyond 1982, which was when a lot of the taller buildings were built here. Also, even some of the older buildings are not shown.

Yes, 1921 seems more like it. Although from that great decade, the building doesn't quite have an art deco vibe to it, though. Which website were you referring to ?

[fieldmarshaldj]

About the building built in 74' - yeah, it is a rather plain building, but it is a neat building that breaks up the same old buildings in the downtown area. It is a bank now, as it has been for as long as I can remember. The 2nd floor is actually a parking garage. Here is a close-up of the front:

It reminds me a little bit of a shorter sister of the Andrew Jackson state office building in Nashville:

http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=384361

Elizabethton is looking a little shabby, too. I see they tried their hand at a '70s-style makeover of the street (those silly glass-bulb lights above the sidewalk). I've seen some well-restored Kress buildings in other towns (I'd have to go hunting for my pics, none of which are digitals -- I still take mine the old-fashioned way).

BTW- I notice you are from Antioch, Tennessee - where is that located? I have never heard of it before......

Is it a small city? Any taller buildings there?

Antioch is just the southeastern section of Nashville/Davidson County. I'm a lifelong resident, a claim very few can make. When my parents first came months before I was born in '74, it was a rural/semi-settled area (largely White), now it is a mixed-bag suburban and generally transient area (used as a stepping-stone for lower-income residents on their way to bigger and better things) that is becoming more Black and Hispanic (virtually all of my White neighbors have left for the suburban counties). There are no "downtown" areas here. The "old" Antioch was just a cluster of buildings near a railroad crossing, little more than a hamlet (although there are a couple of homes that were built as long ago as the late 1700s and early 1800s (!)). One could say the "downtown" of Antioch is centered on the troubled Hickory Hollow Mall (of which there has been much discussion as of late in the Nashville forum).

[Tennesseestorm]

Oh, my bad... I had meant to post the link.....

http://media.mgnetwork.com/tri/html/BristolHistory/

Yeah, that Nashville building looks similar to say the least.

Yeah, Elizabethton needs a facelift. They are currently doing work down there. More photos of that area later.....

Yes, 1921 seems more like it. Although from that great decade, the building doesn't quite have an art deco vibe to it, though. Which website were you referring to ?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Oh, my bad... I had meant to post the link.....

http://media.mgnetwork.com/tri/html/BristolHistory/

Yeah, that Nashville building looks similar to say the least.

Yeah, Elizabethton needs a facelift. They are currently doing work down there. More photos of that area later.....

Thanks, that's an interesting website. I don't recall having seen many that identify buildings in such a manner. Also, good to hear that Elizabethton will be revitalized. It will be great when we have all of TN's towns and county seats' old downtown ("Main Street") areas fully restored.

[Tennesseestorm]

Yeah, it is a neat website. However, still not all of the buildings downtown are listed there, especially the taller and newer buildings.

Still, its informative about the older buildings.

The other Elizabethton photos, I will post tomorrow.

Thanks, that's an interesting website. I don't recall having seen many that identify buildings in such a manner. Also, good to hear that Elizabethton will be revitalized. It will be great when we have all of TN's towns and county seats' old downtown ("Main Street") areas fully restored.

[smeagolsfree]

Oh, my bad... I had meant to post the link.....

http://media.mgnetwork.com/tri/html/BristolHistory/

Yeah, that Nashville building looks similar to say the least.

Yeah, Elizabethton needs a facelift. They are currently doing work down there. More photos of that area later.....

Great site. Didn't realize Bristol had done that. I will be in Kingsport this weekend and will try to get some shots. Nashville keeps me busy enough trying to keep up with all the development here. Keep us informed every chance you get. I think you are the only Tri-City poster we have.

[Hankster]

Great site. Didn't realize Bristol had done that. I will be in Kingsport this weekend and will try to get some shots. Nashville keeps me busy enough trying to keep up with all the development here. Keep us informed every chance you get. I think you are the only Tri-City poster we have.

I can't believe how low the tax assessment values for properties are in Bristol. They have properties right on State St assessed at only $10 per square foot! Amazing! What are property taxes like in Bristol for home owners?

[Tennesseestorm]

I am not sure. I will research that and get back with you. My father pays the taxes on our house.....

I can't believe how low the tax assessment values for properties are in Bristol. They have properties right on State St assessed at only $10 per square foot! Amazing! What are property taxes like in Bristol for home owners?

[Tennesseestorm]

My ma had found that site and e-mailed it to me. Too bad they do not show ALL of the buildings in that area. Most of the taller buildings are not shown- such as this one:

This is only one of many not listed.....

Great site. Didn't realize Bristol had done that. I will be in Kingsport this weekend and will try to get some shots. Nashville keeps me busy enough trying to keep up with all the development here. Keep us informed every chance you get. I think you are the only Tri-City poster we have.