Nashville Bits and Pieces

[nashmoney]

Also of interest - Looks like the Cordell Hull may be saved

 

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/31/haslam-proposes-new-state-museum-nashville/70720170/

 

Among other proposed expenditures is an additional $40 million to renovate the Cordell Hull Building — a 1952-era state building near the Capitol that once appeared slated for demolition, outraging historic preservationists.. Additional dollars would give the state the $74 million it needs to cover all renovation costs.

[Paramount747]

Interesting article and a bit misleading.

 

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/29/nashvilles-boom-pricing-out-middle-and-lower-class.html?utm_content=buffer4cb2d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[titanhog]

Interesting article and a bit misleading.

 

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/29/nashvilles-boom-pricing-out-middle-and-lower-class.html?utm_content=buffer4cb2d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The one thing that's true is that it will be harder and harder to live close to downtown if you don't have a sizable income.  I would imagine there are still houses and apartments to be had a reasonable price...just not close to the city center.

[BnaBreaker]

Interesting article and a bit misleading.

 

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/29/nashvilles-boom-pricing-out-middle-and-lower-class.html?utm_content=buffer4cb2d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

Yeah, interesting article, but you're right that it is quite misleading.  They found, what, like three people that are moving away because it's "too expensive" and/or "like Atlanta," and that's supposed to be evidence of something?  I agree that the city needs to do a much better job at integrating more affordable housing into it's core neighborhoods, but Nashville is still quite affordable compared to many other cities, and I've touched on the 'Atlanta' people before.  While it is true that there are qualities Atlanta has that aren't worth emulating, like the sprawl and traffic, Nashville was struggling with those issues long before this latest boom took off.  So the people like the guy in the article, to me, are really just making a veiled comment against growth/change/increased density in the core, none of which being things that we should be shying away from, in my opinion.

[Nathan_in_DC]

Interesting article and a bit misleading.

 

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/29/nashvilles-boom-pricing-out-middle-and-lower-class.html?utm_content=buffer4cb2d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

Is that an old rendering of the Baker-Donelson building, because the picture looks CGI to me for some reason...

Edited March 31, 2015 by Nathan_in_DC

[Neigeville2]

I sort of prefer the Acropolis replica version, but the modern design is a better fit with the bland and beige First TN Park.  

Corinthian columns go with everything IMO.  Frankly I think the modern design for the museum is heinous.

[rookzie]

Corinthian columns go with everything IMO.  Frankly I think the modern design for the museum is heinous.

 

It'll become trite and passé in less than 20 years, just as has the actual concept rendering of the replacement Federal Court House (thank heavens it was a design from which we so far have been spared [hopefully] by the blessing disguised as a lack of funding).  That's the reason that I actually love the Schermerhorn Symphony and the Public Library "mothership" Main Library.  Nashville is very lucky that the administration at the time of planning had selected the current style for the main library (which if one examines it, can be recognized as a tribute to Andrew Carnegie).

Some types of structures, by virtue of their purpose, should be "timeless" edifices.  I'm all for eclectically mixing contemporary with Classical, and certain types of other "period" revivals with, but not as a dominant, if the design clearly emphasizes simple mediocrity.  While it's not my favorite public school building, the architects of Pearl-Cohn cleverly were able to incorporate, into the 1986 structure, all six limestone classical Ionic-order capital columns saved during the razing of the former Washington Junior HS (blt. 1927; formerly located at 24th Ave N and Hermosa St.).  These now form the centermost colonnade or peristyle portion of the school’s main entry. (too bad the limestone pilasters had not been deemed worth saving as well).  While this may have been an intent to recover and to re-use artistic architectural salvage, from the nearby demo site, it does exemplify the outcome of such an endeavor, which otherwise would have been by now just another cold-rolled classroom.

 

Washington Junior High School (WJHS, razed mid-1980s)

 

 

 

Entryway, Pearl-Cohn High School (opened 1986)

 (reuse of limestone columns salvaged from WJHS)

  

 

 

 

Of course the schools, the Library and the Symphony are Metro structures.  As far as the design of the State Museum is concerned, at a glance that contemporary design may not actually be "that" bad after all, if it could be integrated thematically with the existing granite monoliths and globe on the west side of the mall, and with the Carillon and plaza at the north end.  That's just as important as the overall design style itself, in order to prevent a haphazard hodgepodge mix of clashing elevations and facades.  Even the 19th-c row buildings lining Church St. between Harvey's Alley and 5th, and those around St.Cloud corner to Union (and all the 2nd-Ave warehouses), were at least constructed with the same basic load-bearing and shear-wall design, while their individual appearances with contrasting masonry details still seem to confer personalized signatures without juxtaposed conflict and offensiveness in appearance (even though my opinion admittedly is subjective).

 

The use of light-towers, if done right, definitely can provide an added sensory dimension throughout the entire mall, even during hours when the museum would be closed to visitation, but even that should be chosen judiciously.  The next few years would be a great opportunity to make wise decisions on planning for a museum and its long-term projected needs.  I sort of doubt that the current Military Museum branch should be moved from its current berth in the southern end of War Memorial Auditorium building basement, since the very nature of that setting lends itself well suited for that purpose.

 

...and as a postscript, while they're at it, the State can work with Metro to build a circulator streetcar (or trackless overhead trolley) to serve the state mall, and the ballpark by carrying all those projected tourist numbers over the hill from Broadway and SoBro, since the Mall and the First Tenn. Park will become even more disproportionately separated from all that newly erected hotel space on the south side.  Then maybe the elusive Whack-a-Green won't be so elusive anymore. especially during those oppressive, sweaty days.

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[smeagolsfree]

The overall vacancy rate for all classes of office space including all sub markets is 8.6%. That is amazing. The vacancy rate for class A is 3.5 %.

https://www.nashvillepost.com/blogs/postbusiness/2015/3/31/dtz_report_shows_class_a_office_vacancy_rate_dips_to_35

[MidTenn1]

Tennessee legislature to further study casino bill...per Channel 5 News

This news kinda ran under the radar. If casinos are allowed in Tennessee, how do you think this would affect Nashville development?

 

One thing that comes to mind is the east bank scrap metal yard where I read some years ago, billionaire investor Carl Icahn has some sort of retainer on it for the expressed purpose of building a casino. That's one thing I might like to see.

 

I also wonder if the rumors of a Hard Rock Hotel are related to this move in any way.

 

I am concerned that casinos would dilute the Music City brand somewhat and not help Nashville's tourism industry that much.

Edited April 2, 2015 by PHofKS

[japan]

Tennessee legislature to further study casino bill...per Channel 5 News

This news kinda ran under the radar. If casinos are allowed in Tennessee, how do you think this would affect Nashville development?

 

One thing that comes to mind is the east bank scrap metal yard where I read some years ago, billionaire investor Carl Icahn has some sort of retainer on it for the expressed purpose of building a casino. That's one thing I might like to see.

 

I also wonder if the rumors of a Hard Rock Hotel are related to this move in any way.

 

I am concerned that casinos would dilute the Music City brand somewhat and not help Nashville's tourism industry that much.

I guess you could do it like New Orleans did and just allow one downtown casino while allowing others to be located outside the city.  Certainly hasn't diluted the New Orleans tourism industry.

[AgentNorth]

Interesting article and a bit misleading.

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/29/nashvilles-boom-pricing-out-middle-and-lower-class.html?utm_content=buffer4cb2d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

I just woke up to a riverfront view of the skyline, and I'm less than 6 miles from the schermerhorn symphony center. I paid less than 150k for my house. But......I guess because it's Bordeaux/North, people are still acting like there isn't affordable city living available..... Edited April 2, 2015 by AgentNorth

[ruraljuror]

I just woke up to a riverfront view of the skyline, and I'm less than 6 miles from the schermerhorn symphony center. I paid less than 150k for my house. But......I guess because it's Bordeaux/North, people are still acting like there isn't affordable city living available.....

 

Is there anything for sale in Bordeaux?  I've checked several times just to get a better idea of what's going on up there since you joined the forum and began promoting the area, and I have yet to come across any houses that are actually on the market.

 

Also, if you don't mind sharing, I'd love to see a pic of what this riverfront/downtown view looks like.

[grilled_cheese]

Is there anything for sale in Bordeaux?  I've checked several times just to get a better idea of what's going on up there since you joined the forum and began promoting the area, and I have yet to come across any houses that are actually on the market.

 

Also, if you don't mind sharing, I'd love to see a pic of what this riverfront/downtown view looks like.

 

There isn't.  This person continues to say there is but when questioned they will not provide any evidence to back their statement up

[Neigeville2]

Tennessee legislature to further study casino bill...per Channel 5 News

This news kinda ran under the radar. If casinos are allowed in Tennessee, how do you think this would affect Nashville development?

 

One thing that comes to mind is the east bank scrap metal yard where I read some years ago, billionaire investor Carl Icahn has some sort of retainer on it for the expressed purpose of building a casino. That's one thing I might like to see.

 

I also wonder if the rumors of a Hard Rock Hotel are related to this move in any way.

 

I am concerned that casinos would dilute the Music City brand somewhat and not help Nashville's tourism industry that much.

 

I may be partly biased by the fact that I find gambling incredibly boring and casinos kind of depressing, but really, I don't see this adding anything for Nashville.  The model for casinos is generally to keep their wizened denizens inside the building and stuff them with bad food while the model for Nashville is it's a place to walk around and be entertained going from place to place. I think of casinos as being for towns that are desperate for any source of revenue.  

 

It would be a waste of the scrap metal place, which I'd like to see developed along the lines of Centennial Park with a signature, classy public building like the Parthenon (but bigger and with a dome; perhaps an art or natural history museum) that visitors would see as they come into town.  And with water features made from diverted river water, canals and stuff.

Edited April 3, 2015 by Neigeville2

[UTgrad09]

I'm not "anti" casino, but I don't really want one here. I think there are more cons than pros....and with so many casinos popping up around the country, I think the "draw" of having a casino is not so special anymore. I doubt it would lead to any substantial increase in tourism, and I feel like rather than complimenting existing business, they are designed to keep visitors captive. 

 

 

Although, it would be tempting if someone proposed a large scale Greek-themed (think Caesar's Palace, but Greek) casino to fit with our Athens of the South and Greek Revival architectural history.

[AgentNorth]

Is there anything for sale in Bordeaux?  I've checked several times just to get a better idea of what's going on up there since you joined the forum and began promoting the area, and I have yet to come across any houses that are actually on the market.

 

Also, if you don't mind sharing, I'd love to see a pic of what this riverfront/downtown view looks like.

There are "several" houses for sale in Bordeaux. MLS, zillow, trulia etc all have these "several" homes listed. Also, in regards to posting a personal photo of Bordeaux's riverfront and downtown views.......why? It's very well known that Bordeaux has a "huge" riverfront with amazing views of downtown. Get on google maps and virtually drive through Bordeaux, if actually driving over here is not a option for you. At one point, I sincerely refused to respond to either question that I just answered. Most of these homes have been on the market for awhile. In fact, I've never seen the area "not" have a home listed. Furthermore, I'm shocked that "the view" of downtown that Bordeaux has, is actually unknown by anyone in the city. So if MLS, trulia and zillow don't show you the homes that have been on the market for awhile AND if google maps doesn't show you the riverfront and downtown views.....I can't help sir(s).

[UTgrad09]

http://realtracs.com/SearchResults.aspx?PropertyClass=RES&DMQL=(AreaID%3d%7c1%2c2%2c3%2c4%2c5%2c6%2c7%2c8)%2c(ZipCode%3d37218)%2c(ListingStatusID%3d1)%2c(OfficeListIsActive%3d1)%2c(IsListedOnInternet%3d1)&AreaID=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8&MlsNum=0&Digest=E9/0ptFAIp2EtTgnvtCR5Q

 

This is a search for zip code 37218. Some properties are outside of that, but most are area 4. It's hard to say if any of these have a downtown view (it's a large area), but Bordeaux does have some nice views of town. It's more or less the opposite side view of Murfreesboro Rd/Lafayette St, but with a more hilly setting.

[Nathan_in_DC]

There are "several" houses for sale in Bordeaux. MLS, zillow, trulia etc all have these "several" homes listed. Also, in regards to posting a personal photo of Bordeaux's riverfront and downtown views.......why? It's very well known that Bordeaux has a "huge" riverfront with amazing views of downtown. Get on google maps and virtually drive through Bordeaux, if actually driving over here is not a option for you. At one point, I sincerely refused to respond to either question that I just answered. Most of these homes have been on the market for awhile. In fact, I've never seen the area "not" have a home listed. Furthermore, I'm shocked that "the view" of downtown that Bordeaux has, is actually unknown by anyone in the city. So if MLS, trulia and zillow don't show you the homes that have been on the market for awhile AND if google maps doesn't show you the riverfront and downtown views.....I can't help sir(s).

 

You were talking about how awesome the views were, and someone politely asked for you to share a picture. I don't think that's a reason to get so combative...

[AgentNorth]

What's "combative" about my statement? After reading the individual named "grilled cheese" post and mines, you conclude that Im "combative?" If providing a detailed response to a response Is combative, then Ive been mis communicating all my life sir. I sincerely was confused, when two posters were advising that they never saw any homes in Bordeaux for sale, when every real estate source available list the Bordeaux homes for sale. The only post that I could reasonably see as "combative" was that of the member named "grilled cheese." I was referred to as "this person." I referred to him as sir. As for the view, I truely believe that the view is well known in the city, and is also easily seen on google maps.

Edited April 3, 2015 by AgentNorth

[grilled_cheese]

wow look at all those houses

 

[barakat]

There are several listings on MLS in Bordeaux for older, affordable homes. What's seems to be missing, however, are to-the-studs renovations and new construction with high-end finishes. The area definitely has advantages, but it's missing the type of retail and housing that many people would expect in an evolving neighborhood. Another positive aspect is the amount of vacant, developable land. I love some of the lots on Alpine Hill, and the area around Gardner Lane. The views are nice.

[PruneTracy]

Also, if you don't mind sharing, I'd love to see a pic of what this riverfront/downtown view looks like.

 

Here's a couple available from Google Street View.

 

Alpine Avenue:

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.201994,-86.827953,3a,75y,145.73h,79.49t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sRbkXyaiPIOurEWeOfZvmMA!2e0

 

Summitt Avenue:

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.197463,-86.831311,3a,75y,151.48h,79.24t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s9qZYxOaYw16WBssQ_WYF6A!2e0

 

The houses on Cliff Drive (next to the river) probably have good views, as does the Kelly Miller Smith Towers housing, but I can't get a view from the street.

 

Thing is, there aren't a lot of residential areas in Bordeaux where one can get elevation above the tree line to catch a glimpse of the skyline. I've attached an image that sort of shows the terrain and there are two decent-sized hills, but the rest is fairly flat or blocked by these hills.

 

 

In any case, I have to get back to playing Pac-Man: Nashville Streets Edition for the rest of the day.

[AgentNorth]

Thanks for the post sir. That last photo is of the North precinct. That lot is in HBV accross the river. However, it does show just how elevated Bordeaux is over HBV in the back drop. There are so many residential areas here with views of the city. (I spend a lot of time driving over here while working) Check out bordeaux hills, (coca drive, panorama dr) areas. Also, river drive, Esther dr, hailey ave all have views of the skyline and are off the river. Sales there average less than 70 grand. Some of the views are more appeasing at night than day with all the lights coming from the downtown buildings. If you guys get a chance to cross the MLK bridge from metro center/HBV into Bordeaux, you'll notice that it's a up hill drive. If I had the funds, I would buy up every house on cocoa drive for that view. That culdesac is going to be worth so much. Its worth a quick drive to check it out for yourself. Bordeaux would be a great investment for a developer who likes to build homes with double level porches and rooftop decks.

Edited April 3, 2015 by AgentNorth

[Rockatansky]

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/08/a-good-way-to-wreck-a-local-economy-build-casinos/375691/

[rookzie]

It would seem that most home locations affording some kind  of view of the CBD skyline would be limited to the areas like Cliff Drive, River Dr., and parts of old Hyde’s Ferry, if one can manage to find a lot with not too many trees between them and the river.  These river-bound roads are rather short and few, from what I can remember during my 50 years of roaming on my own by car.

 

For the more fortunate, if any listings do show up on the market, then that unmistakable hill with the twin ground-mounted water tanks (now white, once green) would yield the best views from all Bordeaux toward the city, since it does have a rather prominent (and steep) elevation.  This hill, which topographically ascends from the river and actually includes Buena Vista Pike on the east and Clarksville Pike on the south, also includes the portion of Cliff Dr. to the north of Clarksv’l Pk), as well as several other narrow and closely woven streets like Curtis St., Curtis Hill Ct., Courtney, Terrace, and Summit, Goodrich, Mattie, Lincoln, and Alpine.  As would be expected and logical, some of these afford more dramatic and “spirited” views than others, like Alpine Ave., and in the case of the latter, Alpine Ave. Alpine Park Ave. West St., Powell, and Lloyd are positioned near the northern crest of that hill where views overlook different directions depending on the orientation.  Again, this is if one can even find a listing up there (and they do come now and then).

 

 

 

Then there’s part of Buena Vista Pike (lower down), West Trinity, and as one get closer to the east, there’s Young’s Lane (where back in the ‘60s and early ‘70s I used to do a lot of picnics on the “Fourth”, right on the river).  All the ranges of the views are contingent on the seasons, or course.

 

I am not in position to counter any argument, nor would I ever want to do so, but I just am relaying my own experiences with a half century of motoring within Bordeaux.  With this, one does not have to be on Clarksville Pike headed east toward the bridge, to witness the skyline, but I have not combed the district to become aware of what tends to be available as market listings at any given period, so I am not at liberty engage in that.  Perhaps listings are not as numerous along the higher elevations as we might want, but indeed they are there and they do pop up now and then.  More listings likely show up in the farther reaches of that district, away from the river and going toward SR-12 (Ashland City Hywy), Germantown Hill (Joelton), and extreme Buena Vista Pike to US-431 (Whites Creek), but again the listings to which AgentNorth refers do become available.  You just have to trawl for them, and that’s what often has to be done and many other locations, like my favorite hill “way away” in Donelson (Cliffdale Rd and Knobview Dr.)  I don’t live anywhere near those districts, but I still love to look at them from afar (and to look away from them at a perch within them).  Even with my own home, I had to dig for it and then “lie in wait”, some 12 years ago, in order to snag it, and it was not considered a very desirable one at that time.

-==-