Nashville Bits and Pieces

[BnaBreaker]

Memphis obviously has it's flaws, but there are a lot of things about that city that I, as a former Nashvillian, am very envious of and wish my hometown had. 

[arkitekte]

While at the Ole Miss UT game Saturday I was privileged to hear a 5 minute rant from a Memphian about Nashville getting all the state money.  And how Nashville was getting all the money back in the 90s so Memphis joined forces with East TN to block everything Nashville wants to do.  He was very proud of this fact.  and even mentioned their efforts to screw us on the amp.  

 

his rant on the Titans lasted about 15 minutes.  "Bud Adams and Phil Bredeson conspired to screw us over"  "they never really wanted Memphis' support so they made ticket prices outrageous that first year"  "if Id bought season tickets at the Liberty bowl I got no priority for seats in Nashville"

 

also, this guy was Memphis old money, not some random yokel

 

That's the attitude that a lot of people in Memphis have. The further east you go in Shelby County, the heavier that attitude gets. 

 

They want to sit around and blame Adams and Bredeson for "stealing" the Titans from Memphis, yet completely disregard the City of Memphis weak plan to lure an NFL team to the Liberty Bowl. The fact that the NFL promised Memphis an expansion team back in the 80's or 90's was enough for the City of Memphis to sit back and not be proactive and then when Memphis had their official "tryout" they blew it by not going to games. 

 

I don't understand it, but that's another conversation all together.

 

Did you ask him how complaining instead of actively courting businesses has worked out for them?

 

The little ole Memphis mindset wouldn't work anymore if that were the case. They need something to fall back on. It's pretty pathetic in my opinion that City officials and the media have to pimp out "Why I Chose Memphis" articles to make the city attractive. If I want to consider a city attractive, I for sure don't need someone else's opinion on what makes it trendy or cool. It would be different if it were on a national scale, but this is Memphis Flyer and Memphis Daily News media. 

 

And that attitude ("It's their fault!") is why Memphis is currently playing fourth fiddle in the quartet of the state's big cities.

 

Exactly. 

 

I wonder if he so vehemently opposed the Bass Pro Shop's impending move into the Pyramid...

 

This whole situation is ridiculous. Bass Pro sees the city is desperate to pay off the Pyramid, so they sweep in and say "Hey, we'll pay you rent and basically take over the payments." I was beside myself in meetings where design guidelines were completely ignored to allow Bass Pro to put their logo and Ducks Unlimited logo on the side of the Pyramid. They didn't put them on the Harbor Town side though; they don't need the light pollution at night. I grew up hunting and fishing and I still enjoy both when I have the time, but a Bass Pro superstore in that area is the dumbest damn thing I've ever experienced in planning and urban development, and believe me I've seen some of the most half ass thought out plans anyone could dream of. 

 

I was criticized when I said that I was happy that Bass Pro was having trouble financing their in house hotel. When I explained that Bass Pro with their own hotel in the Pyramid could market to people that they could shop til they drop without ever going outside of the Pyramid into the oh so dangerous downtown Memphis I was told I was being childish. Maybe I was, but I feel that my points were valid. 

 

I'm all for mixed use developments that bring money into urban areas and in turn lead a redevelopment of that neighborhood, but I don't see Bass Pro sparking development in Uptown or the Pinch. I've beotched continuously over on SSP about this, but I'm not in Memphis anymore so maybe it's time for me to wash my hands of this.

 

As far as development downtown, I'm almost to the point of laughing at any downtown development organization that has struggled for 10 years to develop one...one new hotel downtown. 

 

Beale Street Landing came out to right at 50 million dollars. If you guys aren't familiar with that, look it up and you'll soon get an idea on the mismanagement of money surrounding new developments in downtown. 

 

I could go on and on, but this isn't the place and I honestly try to not trash or put down any particular city, but the continual mismanagement of money, lack of motive to redevelop areas, and the complete incompetence of some city officials is ridiculous. 

 

It's too bad also... because Memphis has a lot of appealing assets.  However, for decades it has had really bad leadership, even in its business community.  One of the partners of my firm was on the NFL expansion committee back in 1995 when the league was considering two new teams (ultimately Charlotte and Jacksonville).  He tells the story that Memphis was actually one of the two markets they wanted to go to (Charlotte was the other), but the city was so hard-headed in its demands (there was also some demands for personal enrichment among the city council).  The league was looking at the same market data that Bud Adams saw and caused him to move his team to Nashville two years later. Regarding Memphis' ownership group, the NFL did not like the name Hound Dogs, and really tried to get the proposed owner group to use the name Kings (a reference to ancient Memphis... Martin Luther King... and of course, Elvis), but the group would not budge.  They also wanted a new stadium closer to downtown, and would have negotiated with the state, as Adams ultimately did.

 

You explained it much better than I did above. Just gonna quote you to reiterate or better explain what I said above. 

 

 

 

I'll stop complaining now.

Edited October 22, 2014 by arkitekte

[grilled_cheese]

What was their 'tryout' for the NFL?

[arkitekte]

What was their 'tryout' for the NFL?

 

Having the Titans there for a season. I was being sarcastic about a "tryout", but the message is loud and clear on whether or not Memphis can support an NFL team by the attendance numbers they had for that season with the Titans in town. 

[jmtunafish]

^^As I recall, the Oilers/Titans were going to stay in Memphis for two seasons while the new stadium in Nashville was built.  But things were so dismal that they left after one season and spent the next year at Vanderbilt's stadium.

 

I love Memphis, but its best days are long gone.  I can't imagine how much worse that city would be if it weren't for FedEx.  I remember a few years ago the Memphis Chamber did a study, I'm not sure why, and discovered that in spite of modest population gains, there's less money in the Memphis region than there was 10 years previous, implying that people with money are leaving Memphis and being replaced by people without money.  Their same study found that Nashville, on the other hand, is not only attracting more people but it's attracting people with money. 

[grilled_cheese]

All the people I know in Memphis are still in school and are looking to move to Nashville.

[NikOnder]

::Memphis::

 

I was born and raised in Memphis but have lived in Nashville since around 2003. I recently went back to visit an old friend for the first time in almost 10 years. From what I could tell, the only thing that has changed is that the Peabody Place Mall-thing has since completely closed. Several blocks of street front windows and doors now shuttered and boarded up by plywood. And this is literally across the street from Beale Street, arguably the most popular street in the Downtown area. Even the beautiful Pat O'Brien's building still sits pathetically empty and deserted. All I could do was shake my head. The progress and development that we have seen in Nashville in the last 10 years, I don't foresee Memphis ever achieving in the rest of my lifetime. 

[nashmoney]

Southeast Nashville opens cutting-edge library, rec center

 

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson/2014/10/21/southeast-nashville-opens-cutting-edge-library-rec-center/17681093/

 

IMO, One thing I can say about Metro, the civic buildings they have been building lately have been really nice and cutting edge technology. I like that they incorporate Public Art in all of the new civic buildings.

 

This library and rec center is much needed for the Antioch area.

[SoundScan]

Nice to see that other areas of Nashville are still getting some attention. "A rising tide lifts all boats" as they say, or at least it should.

[bwithers1]

Nice to see that other areas of Nashville are still getting some attention. "A rising tide lifts all boats" as they say, or at least it should.

Agreed.  This is an appropriate use of Metro tax dollars to reinvest in neighborhood infrastructure and services that benefit a whole range of people and that can potentially attract private investment that is presently lacking in the Southeast Davidson region.

Edited October 22, 2014 by bwithers1

[nashmoney]

From WW at the Post:

Council OKs lease for public art piece Stix

Now I see why this thing has taken forever. Dealing with TDOT and the State, it will never get started. And the number of "Stix" were reduced to 27 from 30 due to safety and visibilty. I wouldn't think 3 poles would make a difference, but ok TDOT.

 

If it was Metro owned land, it would be built by now.

[TNinVB]

From WW at the Post:

Council OKs lease for public art piece Stix

Now I see why this thing has taken forever. Dealing with TDOT and the State, it will never get started. And the number of "Stix" were reduced to 27 from 30 due to safety and visibilty. I wouldn't think 3 poles would make a difference, but ok TDOT.

 

If it was Metro owned land, it would be built by now.

Good gracious!  So I wonder if we should see it being installed in the near future?  As much as I love Nashville, I'm not going to hold by breath lol.  The near future in Nashville terms could mean 2017.

[Vrtigo]

I recall reading in an article a few days ago that it should be fully installed within a year. (I forget where I saw that or else I'd cite my source.)

 

EDIT: Oh! Just found it. It was NPost:

 

https://www.nashvillepost.com/blogs/postpolitics/2014/10/22/council_oks_lease_for_public_art_piece_stix

Edited October 23, 2014 by Vrtigo

[titanhog]

I'm imagining that each of these poles will have to be stuck in the ground pretty far, to be able to stand up.  If they're going to rise 85' above ground, it makes me wonder how much will be under ground.

[bwithers1]

I'm imagining that each of these poles will have to be stuck in the ground pretty far, to be able to stand up.  If they're going to rise 85' above ground, it makes me wonder how much will be under ground.

That's a good point.  These will obviously be further down than the 4' needed for a sturdy fence post.  That installation could involve some serious excavation.

[bwithers1]

Yesterday's MPC hearing inculded a sneek preview of the "Nashville future" that Planning will propose based on the NashvilleNext community input received.  The first presentation will be next Thursday, 10/30 at 5:00 PM at Rocketown.  I left with the impression that the results will be a blend of complementary aspects of the Center With Infill and Downtown With Pikes futures.

[TNinVB]

Since I'm always commenting on the night lighting of the Nashville skyline, I took it upon myself to contact Jessica Bliss of the Tennessean who did a story the other day on the 20th anniversary of the Batman building to see if she could find out about the current lighting scheme of the tower and why certain lights are not lit anymore. Here is her response:

Hey Bruce!

Wanted to pass along what I found out about the lighting in the Batman building! See below for a response.

Hope this quells your curiosity.

Best!

J

The lighting on the building is designed differently now than in the past (when AT&T was BellSouth). Currently, we are finishing up a large project that has replaced ALL exterior building lighting to LED lights. The lights from 28 up (spires and "bridge" lighting) are not complete, and some of the old lights are out (which is why it looks a little dark right now). We did not replace the old lights as the new ones are about to be installed.

As information, the iconic AT&T Tower is an Energy Star rated building. This LED project is part of an energy savings/management program where AT&T's vision is to be identified as "The most responsible consumer of energy in the world", and achieve a $467M energy savings target reduction by year-end 2019.

[nashmoney]

Corner Office: Nashville Mayor Karl Dean on Jack White, TV’s ‘Nashville’ Effect and Running the 'It' City

 

http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6296360/nashville-mayor-karl-dean-jack-white-tv-nashville-it-city

[CenterHill]

Since I'm always commenting on the night lighting of the Nashville skyline, I took it upon myself to contact Jessica Bliss of the Tennessean who did a story the other day on the 20th anniversary of the Batman building to see if she could find out about the current lighting scheme of the tower and why certain lights are not lit anymore. Here is her response:

Hey Bruce!

Wanted to pass along what I found out about the lighting in the Batman building! See below for a response.

Hope this quells your curiosity.

Best!

J

The lighting on the building is designed differently now than in the past (when AT&T was BellSouth). Currently, we are finishing up a large project that has replaced ALL exterior building lighting to LED lights. The lights from 28 up (spires and "bridge" lighting) are not complete, and some of the old lights are out (which is why it looks a little dark right now). We did not replace the old lights as the new ones are about to be installed.

As information, the iconic AT&T Tower is an Energy Star rated building. This LED project is part of an energy savings/management program where AT&T's vision is to be identified as "The most responsible consumer of energy in the world", and achieve a $467M energy savings target reduction by year-end 2019.

 

That's good to hear.   I expect it will be an improvement when completed.    

 

Speaking of building lighting, I was in Hong Kong last month for meetings.   Aside from having possibly the world's best skyline, this is a city that takes lighting to a whole new level.   There's a light show every night at 8pm, which is best viewed from the Kowloon side.    

 

But, the most amazing nightly show is by far the ICC tower (118 stories) across HK harbor on Kowloon.   There is a free app you can download and listen to the music in sync with the light show (which, of course, I did).     You have to see it to believe it.    

 

 

 

[titanhog]

Center Hill...that ICC Tower light show is just amazing.  I've never seen anything like that.  If we could get just one building in Nashville to take a hint from HK, I'd be happy.

[Guest]

That was awesome. ... it will not be long before advertising will appear on these buildings... a la Bladerunner

[TNinVB]

I was in Hong Kong a few times back in the 90's when I was in the Navy. It's my favorite skyline in the world. It was amazing back then and I can only imagine seeing it again now. Something about seeing such tall buildings right up against mountains is so cool, and the views from Victoria Peak were spectacular. I know Nashville will never have skyline lighting of that caliber ( and yes I know many think it's overdone or tacky) but hopefully the new lighting on the Batman building will have an impact and the lights across the bridge and the slanted roof that aimed toward the logo will be lighted. I sent another email to see if the led lighting will have the capability to change colors but have not received a response yet. Now if they TN Tower could be lit up, I think it would balance out the skyline much better.

Edited October 29, 2014 by bruceman73

[farm_boy]

Hong Kong - the city of light. The video does not do it justice. I always thought Central Plaza was cool and the Bank of China. The lasers do not show in the video, unfortunately. The ICC blew me away when I saw it ... while shopping in the mall in the IFC - good grief. I still don't know how some of those buildings light up. Hong Kong is, hands-down, the most impressive city on earth (sorry, New York and Tokyo are not even close).

 

There are two other cities close by with much taller buildings (like 500 feet taller than ICC) that are also spectacular at night: Guangzhou (with the Canton Tower and wonderfully lit river bridges) and Shanghai (Jin Mao, Oriental Pearl Tower, WFC, and the new Shanghai Tower) are also impressive at night.

 

Guangzhou - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i4OvO23-Zw

Shanghai - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auKglj7y3bg

 

**As for ads on these buildings, I really don't recall seeing "ads" like we are thinking of ... but then again, I can't read Chinese either ...

[chris holman]

Trendy entertainment complex TopGolf eyes Nashville

http://m.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/2014/11/trendy-entertainment-complex-topgolf-eyes.html

[Nashville Cliff]

"A source familiar with TopGolf's interest in Nashville cited Wedgewood-Houston and parts of East Nashville as other neighborhoods that may fit the company's needs, which in addition to land, include a nearby, growing urban population."

 

No thanks.  Feel free to check with Cool Springs.