Upgrades to come for Richland Park?

Metro Parks & Rec is holding a meeting this Wednesday (June 25) evening to gather feedback from the community on the future of Richland Park which fronts a good portion of Charlotte Avenue and is included in the study area of the DCDP. Staff will be seeking comments and ideas on what can be done to improve upon this long standing amenity of West Nashville. Comments and ideas from the meeting will eventually be integrated into a revised masterplan.

One issue at hand is the neglected pool that sits on the east side of the park. As of now, the pool is slated to be demolished in lieu of a new pool that will be housed inside the new regional community center that is planned to replace the current one at nearby McCabe Park. The park also features a library branch (pictured above), ball field, playground and tennis courts that are frequently used.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and is being held in the basement of Cohn Adult Learning Center located at 4805 Park Avenue.

One More Meeting and The CP Covers the Struggle With Charlotte

The final DCDP meeting held on May 12th, was in fact the next-to-last meeting that will be held for the Charlotte Ave/Richland Park DCDP. Some of the feedback that Metro Planning received from some of the property owners was that this was moving too fast. So they have compromised and allowed for one more meeting to take place to review the draft plan. The MPC staff has yet to reveal when that meeting will be held, but you can check their website for updates www.nashville.gov/mpc

Earlier this week, the City Paper online edition (which is unfortunately running print editions on just Mondays and Fridays now) ran a story that covered the on-going struggle that has defined the revitalization efforts for Charlotte Ave. In addition, the story also breaks news of an artist co-op being interested in purchasing the Charlotte Avenue Church of Christ property.

If the artists co-op was successful in their bid (it's doubtful - in lieu of the recent attention given to the deed restrictions) it would help solidify the branding of Charlotte Avenue as Nashville's unofficial arts district. Established businesses like the Darkhorse Theater and LeQuire Gallery are already lending to that characterization. A few video interviews are also included in the story. To read it go here.

Champion Ford Closing

If you have traveled west on Charlotte Avenue recently, you may have noticed something awry on the horizon. That void you see is the recent closing of Champion Ford on Charlotte Avenue as you approach White Bridge Rd.

This closing now leaves Nashville with only three Ford dealerships. It is unknown at this time what the future holds for this property. One would assume that another dealer would move into the property, but with the recent attention being given to Charlotte redevelopment, one would hope for a more sustainable solution. Especially since the property borders Richland Creek's west bank.

Read story here

Draft Plan for Charlotte Ave/Richland Park Corridor to Be Revealed May 12

Stakeholders and community members have come a long way from the initial DCDP meeting that was held on a cold wet night in January. Next Monday, they will get a chance to see the results of the process when the Planning Commission staff reveals the draft plan.

After the MPC staff researched the history and existing natural and built environment in the Charlotte Avenue – Richland Park area, they began the second phase by entertaining ideas and exploring alternatives for growth from the community. From the initial Visioning Workshop, MPC staff created a Concept Plan, which described – at a very broad level – the community’s vision for future growth and development balanced with sound planning principles.

Follow on meetings included more focus on specific facets of the design plan, such as land use policy, transportation and building type. At each meeting, attendees were encouraged to ask questions and offer feedback.

The final meeting will be held Monday, May 12th in the Parish Hall at St. Ann's Catholic Church (51st & Charlotte) and the community will have the opportunity to offer feedback on the draft plan. This is your chance to come and see what the future holds for Charlotte Avenue. All are encouraged to attend. Please get the word out!

Friends, Residents, Councilmen Lend Me Your Ears! (and hands!)

Based on the shrinking attendance at the last few DCDP meetings, it would appear that not a lot of residents are aware these meetings are even going on. The initial meeting held back in late January was standing room only - albeit a good majority was the Church of Christ congregation. But the size and the buzz of that first meeting was proof positive of how long overdue this process is.

It is safe to say that a good portion of those people have probably fallen off due to frustrations with the congregation and a number of property owners who wish to see no change take place along Charlotte Ave. Each meeting has had it's fair share of drama and has suffered from a negative energy that has recently dominated.

The draft Corridor Design plan for Charlotte Avenue is set to be released at the final meeting on Monday, May 12. It is imperative that a great number of residents attend this meeting to offer overwhelming support that is vital to the future of this plan.

But the word must get out.

This blog has been a bastion for the process thus far, but is not enough. Tell your neighbors to please attend this meeting on Monday, May 12th at 6:00 pm. It is located at St. Ann's Catholic Church in the Parish Hall at 51st. and Charlotte Avenues.

In addition, I hope to design a simple flyer to distribute to mailboxes this weekend alerting our neighborhood of this meeting - whether they support the plan or not. But Sylvan Park is a bit big for one guy to handle. IF anyone is available to help distribute flyers sometime this Saturday, please contact me ASAP.

Thanks! And remember May 12!

Tennessee Attorney General Enters the Fray on Church Issue

The City Paper ran a story today that sheds a little light on the deed restrictions attached to the former Charlotte Avenue Church of Christ at the corner of 46th and Charlotte. In the original deed dated ca. 1921, the land was donated to the original congregation with the stipulation that the property would only be intended for 'church use or purpose'. The Tennessee Preservation Trust a non-profit group that advocates preservation issues throughout the state, received a letter from the Tennessee Attorney General stating that is aware of the deed restrictions on the property and plans to intercede if the property is sold for anything other than church use.

Excerpts from article:
...The Attorney General wrote a letter to the TPT stating that it would not intercede with with the potential demolition of the building, but would do so if the property was sold for a non-church use.

"...If there is such an offer to purchase or lease the property for a use that is inconsistent with a 'church use of purpose' and therefore, in violation of the deed restriction, our Office will take whatever action it believes necessary and appropriate to fulfill our statutory duties with respect to charitable gifts," the Attorney General letter from senior counsel Janet Kleinfelter states.

...Elders from the Charlotte Heights Church of Christ told the City Paper there was no update on selling the property, adding that the church believes it can field offers to sell the land for commercial use.

Church elder Wendell Talley said there are no plans, yet, to tear down the building before the property is sold, but that could happen in the future.

Here We Go Again

Last week's DCDP meeting was unfortunately a return to negative remarks, rude interruptions and accusations of bias mostly on the part of an angry congregation that has regrettably returned to the process. However, MPC staff members once again held their composure amid the rash of diatribes that polluted the meeting.

Some attendees went so far as to accuse the MPC of being biased and unfair in the process - by choosing to abandon written and oral feedback that was opposed to the draft plan. How someone can muster the nerve to say such a thing -- in light of the MPC's tedious documentation of the results of each meeting -- is nothing but divisive rhetoric. The congregation needs to be reminded that there is much more to this DCDP than just their property.

Not only is the congregation stirring up the pot, but a handful of property owners seem to be hellbent on shutting this entire operation down. I can understand a property owners concerns over their rights to a certain point (which I might add are not being infringed upon during this process). But is it really necessary to willfully attempt to sabotage a process who's main goal is to simply plan for the future?

One thing that everyone wanted to know was: "When does the public get a chance to air their concerns over the draft plan?" That date will be July 24 in front of the planning commission - and it was obvious that every person in there made a point to jot that date down on their mental calendar. Apparently those opposed to these guidelines for the future, plan to make a last stand at that meeting to try and thwart the "biased and senseless" DCDP for Charlotte Avenue. It is imperative that those who are in favor of this plan and a responsible and sustainable future for Charlotte Avenue, attend this hearing to let their voice be heard.

The Draft Plan will be presented on Monday, May 12th and will be the final meeting for the Charlotte DCDP. All are encouraged to attend to see the results of this process and provide constructive criticism.