Nashville College & University Expansion

[MLBrumby]

Is lipscomb an affordable college? I know it’s private but some of them are known for their affordability.

[donNdonelson2]

2 minutes ago, MLBrumby said:

Is lipscomb an affordable college? I know it’s private but some of them are known for their affordability.

From the google machine 

 

[MLBrumby]

From WW at NP online today, Vandy looks like they're wanting to polish the turd that is the Owen Graduate School of Management... https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/education/vanderbilt-university/article/21120025/vanderbilt-business-building-could-see-upgrade

“We’re not able to share any additional information on the Owen renovation at this time due to still having a lot of moving pieces and fluid plans that could change.”

Vandy of late has been issuing comically vague strategic plans and public statements. Instead, they should be glad that anyone (outside their community) still cares. 

[markhollin]

Real estate developer Somera Road has tendered a $17 million property purchase and leaseback package as an alternative to the Belmont Univ. purchase of Watkins School of Art.

The leaseback deal also would include Somera Road's offering Watkins one year rent free, in addition to future rent at 30 percent under market rate. In addition, upon closing of the deal, the MetroCenter-located Watkins would also receive a $1 million escrow fund to cover any short-term financial needs.

Somera Road officials emailed a letter of intent to the Watkins Board of Trustees, describing the offer as one that "we feel best provides the Watkins College of Art relief from current capital constraints and an opportunity to remain a fully independent institution operating from its current location for many years to come."

"Liquidity from the $17 million sale will allow Watkins to save themselves without the unwelcome control of a religious university that is misaligned with Watkins’ core values and founding principles,” Somera Road principal Joe LeMense Jr. said in the release. “It will also provide Watkins funds for operating shortfalls and endowment and flexibility to further its fundraising efforts, increase new student enrollment and cement the college’s future in Nashville.

Early this year, Belmont and Watkins officials announced the former would absorb the latter. Watkins will begin to transition its operations to Belmont’s campus following the completion of this academic year.

The Watkins board issued the following statement:

"We appreciate Somera's offer and will review it along with multiple other offers for the property."

Somera Road (based out of NYC) is also undertaking a large mixed-use project that includes the redevelopment of the Nashville Antique Mall and Voorhees buildings at 700 8th Ave. South, the just-opened Pins Mechanical entertainment venue in North Gulch, and a proposed mixed-use project in WeHo.

More behind the Nashville Post paywall here:

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/article/21121771/nyc-firm-offers-alternative-to-belmontwatkins-deal

And behind NBJ paywall here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2020/03/13/developers-offer-to-buy-watkins-campus-with.html?iana=hpmvp_nsh_news_headline

[MLBrumby]

I hope Watkins will eventually build a stunning modern building on the BU campus, possibly at a prominent point on the hill and/or visible from Wedgewood.  It would be a great contrast to the neo-classical and Italianate(?) style of the rest of campus. 

[Bos2Nash]

Watkins is benefiting greatly from the Belmont name. From what I have heard there are accreditation concerns with the program at Watkins and Belmont could very quickly help resolve those. Capital is obviously very important, but having an accreditation is a necessity. Without it, a degree from that school is useless in the (at least in the design field).

[Edgefield D]

43 minutes ago, Bos2Nash said:

Watkins is benefiting greatly from the Belmont name. From what I have heard there are accreditation concerns with the program at Watkins and Belmont could very quickly help resolve those. Capital is obviously very important, but having an accreditation is a necessity. Without it, a degree from that school is useless in the (at least in the design field).

There are no accreditation concerns at Watkins, Watkins and Belmont are both accredited through SACS and Watkins is in good standing. Belmont is actually benefiting from Watkin's MFA in Visual Arts program. The problem with Watkins is low enrollment and lack of an endowment. 

[Bos2Nash]

14 minutes ago, Edgefield D said:

There are no accreditation concerns at Watkins, Watkins and Belmont are both accredited through SACS and Watkins is in good standing. Belmont is actually benefiting from Watkin's MFA in Visual Arts program. The problem with Watkins is low enrollment and lack of an endowment. 

Their Interior Design program is not a accredited by Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and therefore graduates cannot obtain their license here in TN. I don't know enough about the visual arts side of it, but I was speaking to the design side of it.

[MLBrumby]

I hope the merger works well for both institutions. Watkins (the school) and its graduates have shown a lot of creativity in art, fashion, and design. I don't know a lot of folks in media and advertising, but the one marketing firm I'm familiar with has several Watkins graduates in their graphics department. I'd guess they're not the only one in Nashville. 

[Edgefield D]

1 hour ago, Bos2Nash said:

Their Interior Design program is not a accredited by Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and therefore graduates cannot obtain their license here in TN. I don't know enough about the visual arts side of it, but I was speaking to the design side of it.

Correct....that one is not. But there are probably less than 10 IND students at Watkins. Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Art, Film, Photo, MFA...those are all through SACS and NASAD and are all in good standing. Watkins GRD program usually produces more ADDY awards than most other schools it competes with. So....Belmont is not completely coming up short. 

I just wanted to point out that this doesn't have anything to do with accreditation problems. CIDA wasn't renewed because it's another expense and not enough students to justify it. It costs the same and requires the same amount of work for Watkins to play in the same higher ed field as Vandy, Belmont, state schools...etc when it comes to accreditation. Calculate in low enrollment and you have a problem. Small private schools (art or not) are really struggling across the country.

[MLBrumby]

Thank you, folks, for the great pics and updates during this very slow (and here in Chatty, gloomy) time. 

Looking at the Vandy cam, I think it appears the next area for the college dorms is being cleared. That would be the corner of West End and 24th... so that portion of the complex should be underway soon enough. http://webcams.vanderbilt.edu/carmichael/

[markhollin]

Tennessee State University Alumni Welcome Center rendering:
 

[markhollin]

Belmont University is starting demo of the homes along the SE corner of Wedgewood Ave. and 14th Ave. South.  Not sure if there is any immediate plan.

Looking south from Wedgwood Ave., just east of 14th Ave. South:
 

[PillowTalk4]

On 3/25/2020 at 6:55 AM, markhollin said:

Tennessee State University Alumni Welcome Center rendering:
 

This is the back side of the building.

Given where this proposed to be built on the TSU campus at the corner of 33rd Ave North and John Merritt Blvd., I'm curious as to how it will address the street.  It's currently a parking lot with a small corner plaza that has a column with an image of Big John Merritt.

 

Edited April 2, 2020 by PillowTalk4

[James Owen]

4 hours ago, PillowTalk4 said:

This is the back side of the building.

Given where this proposed to be built on the TSU campus at the corner of 33rd Ave North and John Merritt Blvd., I'm curious as to how it will address the street.  It's currently a parking lot with a small corner plaza that has a column with an image of Big John Merritt.

Looking at the design of the Alumni Center, I have a few questions:

1. Is the building all or mostly glass? Will there be shading to address sunlight concerns?
2. Is that a rooftop deck on the structure?
3. Are there going to be any interior renderings in addition to the exterior?
4. How will they address the displacement of the visitor parking spaces? Will there be a parking deck or a new surface lot constructed?

Edited April 1, 2020 by James Owen

[PillowTalk4]

It looks like the TSU Alumni Welcome Center will be a three story structure.  The first floor will be a reception area and a banquet hall as well as outdoor terrace space.  The second floor appears to primarily be office and meeting room space.  I'm assuming the TSU Alumni Relations Office  will relocate from Goodwill Manor (original home for TSU's president) to this new facility.  The third floor appears to be a rooftop terrace space to be used for outdoor receptions.  So, I think the building will be for multi-functional use.  Which is what the concept was supposed to be.  Obviously, it will benefit the Alumni Relations Office and give them much needed space.  It will also benefit the Nashville TSU Alumni Association giving them space other than academic facilities to meet in, and during homecoming and other special times of the year, alumni from all over will have a central meeting space on campus.  I can see small fundraising gala's being held there. 

Unless there are plans to build a parking deck behind the Wesley Foundation Bldg, I doubt that there will be any additional parking other than surface and street parking.  However, this facility more than likely will be used mostly in the evenings.  So, the lot behind the Wesley Foundation Bldg and the lot across the street next to Friendship Baptist Church will probably be sufficient in addition to street parking.  Plus there are already nearby parking lots in front of the Student Center and at the Early Childhood Education Building.

FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

THIRD FLOOR (ROOFTOP TERRACE)

[Urban_Legend]

Belmont just posted a new campus tour video on YouTube, and it contained a new rendering of the interior of the Performing Arts Center currently being built on Belmont Blvd. I've been searching for interior renderings of this for a while now. Check it out!

[MLBrumby]

Nice! Looks like a domed ceiling.

[markhollin]

Speaking of the Belmont University Performing Arts Center (1,700 capacity), here are some updated pics on the construction.

Looking east from Belmont Blvd., 1/2 block north of Compton Ave:

Looking  SE from Belmont Blvd., 1/2 block north of Compton Ave:


 

Looking NE from intersection of Belmont Blvd. and Compton Ave:

Looking NW from Compton Ave., 1/2 block east of Belmont Blvd:

 

Looking SW from Bernard Ave., 1/2 block east of Compton Ave:




Looking west from Bernard Ave., 1/2 block east of Compton Ave:

[KJHburg]

I would only disagree with this to say not sure how hidden Belmont is  as to me it is pretty known.

https://news.belmont.edu/belmont-ranked-no-1-hidden-gem-music-school/

[donNdonelson2]

5 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

I would only disagree with this to say not sure how hidden Belmont is  as to me it is pretty known.

https://news.belmont.edu/belmont-ranked-no-1-hidden-gem-music-school/

Belmont has long been a prominent institution for its music business program, but is quickly gaining a reputation for its performance degree tracks. I personally know of a young woman who chose Belmont for the musical theatre program, and her parents own a company that produces tours of Broadway musicals! Some very talented young people training over at Belmont in all areas of the Music Department.

[KJHburg]

My niece goes to Belmont and in my opinion has a national reputation in music that is why I thought it was odd to say it was a hidden gem.  Her friends come from all over and many from California and major in something related to music.  I think it has  a national reputation now. 

[markhollin]

Belmont University South Garage & Tennis Center (3 stories, 830 spaces) update. Up to 2nd level above grade on west side.

Looking NE from Delmar Ave., 1/2 block east of Belmont Blvd:

Looking SE from Compton Ave., 1/2 block east of Belmont Blvd:




Looking south from Compton Ave., 3/4 block east of Belmont Blvd:

Looking west from Compton Ave., 3/4 block east of Belmont Blvd:

[markhollin]

Belmont Univ. Tall Hall from intersection of South Douglas Ave. and 10th Ave. South:
 

[Armano]

On 3/29/2020 at 12:42 PM, Jaheda said:

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I have not heard anything about them, I think it’s better to do your homework and laboratory yourself, and not to pat for them