Tennessean article hints at more development in wake of 28th Ave Connector

Articles that have cropped up in the wake of the groundbreaking for the long awaited 28th/31st Avenue Connector:

• Michael Cass of The Tennessean gives us details and also makes mention of Lionstone preparing land for development (the former Horace Small warehouse?)

• Historian John Egerton writes a beautiful article outlining the historical significance of this project.

• Gail Kerr of The Tennessean speaks of the progress the bridge will bring to North Nashville.

Groundbreaking ceremony for 28th/31st Connector to be held May 24

Vacant property demolition on east side of 28th Ave.

The former Horace Small warehouse east of 28th Avenue N, and south of Charlotte Avenue has been undergoing demolition for about two weeks now. Haven't seen any news on this activity - not sure if it has anything to do with construction on the 28th Avenue connector, but it is doubtful that it does.

Also, there is zoning change request for the vacant lot across the street that recently came under contract.

Stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE:
The demo taking place at the corner of 28th & Charlotte IS in fact the beginning of the 28th/31st Connector project. This is great news!

Rumors of new pub on Charlotte gaining traction

As was recently speculated here, it seems the former Lavender Motors site at 44th and Charlotte Avenues, could become the west side location of The Melrose on 8th Ave. This latest news from The Nashville Post seems to just about confirm that the rumor is indeed true.

The former home of a car lot at 44th Avenue and Charlotte Pike could become West Nashville's newest bar.

In March, the property — which once sited Lavender Motors — was sold for $400,000 to the innocuously-named 4408 Charlotte Pike Partners with George Spiva as the lone listed general partner. As a GP, Spiva has fronted a number of hip retail and restaurant projects — including Berry Hill bar The Melrose.

On April 15, an application was submitted for a building permit to add 1,500 square feet of covered space to the car lot's former office building. The permitting fee has yet to be paid, but the application was made in the name of Melrose West, according to the Metro Codes office.

Spiva directed calls to the owner-operator of The Melrose's original location, Austin Ray. Before The Melrose, Ray operated Bar Twenty3 and City Hall.

Ray declined comment.

Melrose West would be the second new bar opened in the stretch of West Nashville between West End and White Bridge Road this year. Neighbors of Sylvan Park on Murphy Road had its beer permit OK'd at Wednesday's meeting of the Metropolitan Beer Board, though the permit wasn't formally issued due to some missing paperwork. Once that step is complete, the permit will be issued. Neighbors expects to open in May.

This is more great news for Charlotte Avenue. Another great investment that will enliven Charlotte Avenue with pedestrian activity.

UPDATE:
The only thing that seems out of place with this whole story is the fact that there has been a new for sale/lease sign out front since the property sold with Spiva's name on it...

Yoga studio coming to former Chef Mart

During the community meetings for the Charlotte Avenue Detailed Corridor Design Plan (DCDP), there was a strong contingent that felt activating the historic row of buildings fronting Richland Park was the key to revitalizing the entire district. While not much has changed since those meetings took place – save for the Mrs. Winners getting a Church's Chicken make over – there are signs that the tide may finally be turning.

One sign of that progress is a new yoga studio going in place of the former Chef Mart location, which sits at the corner of Charlotte and 50th Avenues. It's businesses like this that will spurn activity and hopefully open people's eyes to the potential this stretch of Charlotte holds.

Property adjacent to proposed 28th Ave connector under contract

It seems investors are showing continued interest in property near the proposed 28th Avenue Connector. No details as of yet, but the 3+ acres between 27th and 28th Avenues is listed as UNDER CONTRACT.

Stay tuned for details.

Apartments coming to 11th & Charlotte

The Nashville Business Journal is reporting that the Polar Icehouse Storage property at the corner of 11th and Charlotte Avenues has been sold by noteworthy developer Tony Giarratana. The property makes up approximately 8.73 acres and was purchased by Georgia based Eleven North LLC. The plan is to develop the site into a 302-unit apartment complex, with square footage ranging in size from 710-1280.

One of Eleven North's partners, TriBridge Residential, has developed local apartment complexes such as Wyndchase Apartments in Franklin and Aventura at Providence in Mount Juliet. No details on the plans for Eleven North yet, but the article states that construction should be wrapping up this time next year.

Stay tuned for more info.

UPDATE:
According to a post on the Urban Planet Nashville forum, William Williams will have a detailed story about this development in the City Paper on Monday.