In Search of a New Home for the

NASHVILLE SOUNDS

1

C O N T E N T S

In Search of a New Home for the Nashville SoundsA report created by the Nashvil le Civic Design Center

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book was designed and written by Betsy Mason, Design Fellow for the Nashville Civic Design Center.

This book was edited by Gary Gaston, Design Director, and Julia Landstreet, Executive Director, of the Nashville Civic Design Center.

The Nashville Civic Design Center would like to give special thanks to the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design, Mark Schimmenti, Micah Antanaitis, Emily Dover, Robert Kown, Todd Sparks, Nick Davis, Mahamadou Diarra, Neil Parrish and Sushant Verma

The mission of the Nashville Civic Design Center is to elevate the quality of Nashville’s built environment and to promote public participation in the creation of a more beautiful and functional city for all.

www.civicdesigncenter.org July 2011

Nashville Civic Design Center Staff:Julia Fry Landstreet, Executive DirectorGary Gaston, Design DirectorStephanie McCullough, Community Outreach and \Communications DirectorRon Yearwood, Urban Designer, Project ManagerPatricia Conway, Project Manager

Kira Appelhans, Design FellowMelissa Alexander, Design FellowBetsy Mason, Design Fellow

Ginny Harr, InternDavid Heyburn, Intern

3

FOREWORD | NASHVILLE + BASEBALL

URBAN STADIUM PRECEDENTS Memphis , TN | Autozone Park Durham, NC | Durham Bulls Athletic Park Minneapolis , MN | Target Field

NCDC’S INVOLVEMENT: FOUR SITES North Gulch | UTK CoAD Partnership Micah Antanaitis Emily Dover Robert Kown Todd Sparks Sulphur Dell | UTK CoAD Partnership Nick Davis Mahamadou Diarra Neil Parrish Sushant Verma Thermal Site | A Riverfront Masterplan The East Bank | A Neighborhood Study

Moving Forward NCDC’s Recommendations

Acknowledgements

5

7

1519

29

3943

47

51

F O R E W O R D

The Nashville Sounds are Middle Tennessee’s AAA minor league baseball team. They have been playing at Herschel Greer Stadium (capacity 10,300), which is located in Fort Negley Park, since 1978. The current facilities, while having served Nashville well, leave much to be desired when compared to other cities’ more modern AAA stadiums. Its location makes accessing the stadium diffi cult for newcomers, and it does little to engage or enhance its built environment. The focal point of the stadium is the over-sized, guitar shaped scoreboard, heralding Music City’s heritage.

Given these circumstances, both The Nashville Sounds and Metro Nashville Government are examining potential sites for a new stadium. A stadium that will better serve the players and the business of baseball while creating an urban ballpark that engages Nashville’s citizens and invigorates its surroundings, both on and off season.

The city issued a Request for Proposals for formal site feasibility studies, due June 10, 2011. The Nashville Sounds’ current lease expires December 31, 2013.

Identifi ed goals of the feasibility study include:• Identifying the most suitable location for the facility• Determining the appropriate size (general seating, premium seating and suite confi guration) and facility components for the new stadium at each potential site• Describing any ancillary development opportunities in conjunction with the stadium such as retail, hospitality, residential, etc.locations• Validating all capital and development costs• Identifying the most feasible approach for fi nancing the facility

• Assessing the potential economical impact of the new facility, both direct and indirect

The Nashville Civic Design Center (NCDC) has been involved in the conversation about a new baseball stadium for the Nashville Sounds since 2002, when it hosted an Urban Design Forum on the topic of “A New Home for the Nashville Sounds”. This report pulls together all the work the NCDC has done over the past nine years related to a new Sounds baseball stadium and is intended to aid in the efforts of determining future new site locations.

Nashville + Baseball

5

U R B A N S T A D I U M P R E C E D E N T S

Panoramic v iew of Target F ie ld in Minneapol i s , MN showing the s tad ium framing the sky l ine in the background

Studying projects in peer cities should play a major role in the design process for a new Sounds’ stadium, particularly when their successes can be directly related to a specifi c project(s) initiated by local governments. Nashville’s peer cities that have implemented successful urban baseball stadiums are Memphis, TN; Durham, NC; and Minneapolis, MN.

Importance of Precedence

7

U R B A N S T A D I U M P R E C E D E N T S

Autozone Park i s carefu l l y woven into the downtown urban fabr ic

ARCHITECTS: Looney Ricks Kiss, 2000LOCATION: Downtown Memphis, TennesseeTEAM: Memphis RedbirdsSIZE: 14,000 Seat AAA Ballpark

Autozone Park is home to the AAA Memphis Redbirds. It is in the heart of the successful 20-acre mixed-use Memphis Ballpark District. Red brick, glass and exposed steel trusses pay homage to vintage ballparks of the past and blend nicely within the city’s historic warehouse district. Lively artwork, striking graphics and signage—and a large, iconic “slugger”—welcome you into the entry plaza. The plaza lends itself as a recognizable gathering space before the games and welcomes the city throughout the rest of the year, acting as an urban neighborhood park.

The ballpark itself is divided into several special seating sections that give the visitors an array of viewing options. These include the Delta Dental Picnic Pavilion on the east side of the stadium, which often hosts special events; The Bluff on the north side of the stadium, which provides grass covered lawn seating; 48 suites on the upper club level, generally reserved for groups or local companies; normal club seating with access to an air conditioned concourse; several bars and restuarants; two open air party decks; P.D. Parrots Playhouse Perch; and a playground for children next to The Bluff.

Memphis, TN | Autozone Park

9

U R B A N S T A D I U M P R E C E D E N T S

Views both into and out of Durham Bul l s Ath let i c Park

ARCHITECTS: HOK Sport + Venue + Event, 1995LOCATION: Downtown Durham, North CarolinaTEAM: Durham BullsSIZE: 10,000 Seat AAA Ballpark

Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP) is located in downtown Durham, just south of the Central Business District. This area was targeted as in the trajectory of the future growth of downtown Durham. The ballpark refl ects many characteristics of old-time parks and the historic downtown Durham architecture. A 32-foot-high wall stands in left fi eld, resembling Fenway Park’s Green Monster. The Blue Monster, as it is called in Durham, contains a similar old-style manual scoreboard. The ballpark’s most distinctive feature is the Durham Bull that stands tall above the Blue Monster. A roof covers approximately 2,500 seats behind home plate and down the fi rst and third base lines, to the end of each dugout. The stadium was designed and built so that every seat gives fans a great view of the fi eld with an intimate ballpark feel.

In 1998, for the International League Competition, a “warehouse type” building, Diamond View, was constructed to round out the mixed-use development. It is located behind the right fi eld seating sections and uses the same architecture as the Athletic Park–including the green metal roof, brickwork and windows. In 2002, DBAP unveiled a new playground area in the left fi eld section of the concourse. The stadium is a well-developed example of a strong urban stadium offering more than just baseball to the city.

Durham, NC | Durham Bulls Athletic Park

11

U R B A N S T A D I U M P R E C E D E N T S

Views of Target F ie ld ’s integrat ion into both the c i t y and the da i l y l i fe of i t s res ident s

ARCHITECTS: Populous, 2010LOCATION: Downtown Minneapolis, MNTEAM: Minnesota TwinsSIZE: 39,500 Seat MLB Ballpark

Although Target Field is a Major League Baseball stadium, it is an exceptional example of a well-integrated urban stadium. It is a modern architectural expression, with sound sustainable features. The stone and glass landmark, topped by a metal-clad, sculpted roof canopy, is chiseled into downtown Minneapolis on one of Major League Baseball’s smallest sites. The ballpark’s urban appeal is enhanced with the addition of new, direct access to light rail and commuter rail, connecting the site to its urban surroundings and spurring development in a once-forgotten corner of downtown. The ballpark is designed to provide fans with an outstanding venue to watch baseball, and it is a wonderful civic landmark for the city of Minneapolis and the entire state of Minnesota. Target Field features spectacular views of the Minneapolis skyline and excellent sight lines from every seat.

The U.S. Green Building Council awarded Target Field LEED Silver Certifi cation, the second MLB ballpark to qualify. The process included: removing and treating contaminated soil; having more than 70 percent of construction waste diverted or recycled; having more than 30 percent of all installed materials made from recycled content (including the foul poles and roof canopy); soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust were minimized; and local materials were used extensively. It is a model for 21st-century stadiums–addressing the physical, economic and environmental contexts of the city.

Minneapolis, MN | Target Field

13

N C D C ’ S I N V O L V E M E N T

One potential site plan for the area included the concept of incorporating a new Sounds baseball stadium into the East Bank. (see pages 42-45)

In March 2004, the NCDC hosted an Urban Design Forum entitled “Thermal Site: What Will It Be?”. The subject of the Forum included a discussion of a new ballpark and the future of the Thermal Plant site, with Rolling Mill Hill developer Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse being designated lead developer for the mixed-use development. The plan included signifi cant residential and retail components, for the riverfront site, to be integrated with a new stadium for the Sounds. As this complex project, on a very challenging site, came together, NCDC hosted two public meetings to promote dialogue and discussion, as well as to elicit additional ideas. The fi rst public meeting was held at the Downtown Public Library on December 15, 2005, with over 120 participants. (see pages 38-41)

In the Fall of 2010, the NCDC worked in partnership with the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Architecture + Design (UTK CoAD) to study potential sites for a new baseball stadium in the North Gulch and Sulphur Dell areas. Architecture design students, under the direction of Professor and former NCDC Design Director, Mark Schimmenti, created conceptual neighborhood master plans and designs for stadiums. They presented their designs at an Urban Design Forum in March 2011. (see pages 18-37)

While NCDC has not made recommendation that favors any of the sites addressed in this study, it does advocate for design excellence in whatever site is ultimately selected. It assumes that public meetings will be held to engage the community in the design process.

The NCDC has long been engaged in the conversation about a new baseball stadium for the Nashville Sounds—hosting several Urban Design Forums to faciliate dialogue between the concerned parties. In 2002, its Forum was on the broad topic of “A New Home for the Nashville Sounds.” It brought together a panel of experts on the topic including: moderator Glen Yeager, General Manager of the Nashville Sounds Professional Baseball Team; Chris Dunleavy, Architect; Janet Marie Smith, Vice President for Planning and Development, the Boston Redsox and Vice-President for Planning and Development for Stuver Bros. Eccles and Rouse, Baltimore; Rollando Llanes, Director of Architecture for the Corradino Group, Miami and Planning and Design Consultant to the Florida Marlins; and Allie Prescott, President and General Manager of the Memphis Redbirds, Memphis 1997-2001. This fi rst Urban Design Forum established the need and the desire for a new baseball stadium and formally started the conversation within the community. Over the next nine years, three other Forums were held—yielding studies for a new baseball stadium on the Thermal Transfer Plant site, on the East Bank, in the North Gulch and at the old Sulphur Dell site.

In 2002, the NCDC issued its Report on the East Bank of the Cumberland River at the request of Rediscover East!, to study the linkages between the residential areas of East Nashville to the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and the impact of the new Gateway Bridge. Public meetings were held at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and an Urban Design Forum was dedicated to the issue. Present at these meetings were concerned citizens, Metro Offi cials, Metro Staff and NCDC staff. The study sought to evaluate and resolve issues of scale, landscaping and lane-logic of the Gateway Bridge and appropriate land use for the land between the Cumberland River and Interstate Bridge.

Four Sites Examined

North Gulch Sulphur Dell Thermal Site East Bank

INT

ER

ST

AT

E 6

5

INT

ER

ST

AT

E 24

BROADWAY

CHARLOTTE AVE

JEFFERSON ST

SHELBY A

VE

15

N C D C ’ S I N V O L V E M E N T

Images from Apr i l 2011 Urban Des ign Forum : A Basebal l Stad ium for Nashv i l le | UT Student Work

The Nashville Civic Design Center maintains a strong partnership with the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Architecture + Design (UTK CoAD). Through this partnership, NCDC conducts various studies throughout the year that allow UT architecture students to study potential “real world” projects in Nashville. As a part of this collaborative effort, NCDC partnered with UTK CoAD, in the fall of 2010, to analyze two potential sites for a new Sounds baseball stadium in Nashville – the North Gulch and at the old Sulphur Dell sites. These sites were studied because much attention had already been given to the Downtown and Eastbank sites, and Professor Mark Schimmenti, former NCDC Design Director, felt they needed to be examined more closely. Twelve students visited Nashville with professor Schimmenti in August 2011, to conduct walking tours of both sites. Students were given a program based on the Memphis Redbirds Autozone Park, and were allowed to choose the site of their preference. Students then developed a master plan for the overall site that included a mixed-use program that should serve to seamlessly integrate into the existing street grid. The students presented their designs at an Urban Design Forum in March 2011. Representative projects from this design studio are included on the following pages.

Design Studio 2010 | UTK CoAD Partnership

17

N O R T H G U L C H

[ lef t] Aer ia l v iew of potent ia l Nor th Gulch Masterplan area [r ight] broad spec t rum of charac ter in the area

CHARLOTTE AVE

CHURCH ST

11TH

AV

EINT

ER

STA

TE

65

10TH

AV

E

The charge for UT’s graduate architecture students was to envision conceptual designs for a new downtown Sounds baseball stadium. The fi rst half of the students’ semester was spent working in groups on master planning exercises for the site. The emphasis of the studio was to explore how a ballpark could become a catalyst for surrounding developments in underutilized urban settings. Each project looked at how to integrate multiple uses into the stadium, serving to activate and support the city everyday of the year, not just on game days.

The Gulch refers to an up-and-coming neighborhood just west of downtown, located in the topographical depression (called The Gulch) that separates Downtown and Midtown. The history of The Gulch in Nashville mirrors that of the railroad. In 1861 fi ve tracks were laid, and by 1896 more than thirty-six tracks ran through this chasm through downtown. Bordered by Charlotte St. on the north, CSX railines on the east, I65 on the west and Division St, on the south. The portion south of Broadway has experienced an exciting renaissance over the last decade as a result of an ambitious masterplanning process between the city and private developers. Due to the success of the southern part of The Gulch, the northern side is seen as a logical extension of new development. Specifi cally, the land parcels housing the former Polar Ice property at 11th Avenue and Charlotte Avenue have been mentioned (August 2010, The Tennessean) as having development opportunities for the future Sounds’ stadium. These are the parcels studied by the students. However, recently this piece of property has been demolished to become new condominiums. Still, designing a well-integrated stadium in the area could continue to reinforce the continued development of The Gulch and work towards creating more density in this transitional neighborhood.

UTK CoAD Partnership

19

N O R T H G U L C H | M . A N T A N A I T I S

“The intention of my design is to create an anchor for future development in the North Gulch, which is an over-looked area with many perceived and real barriers. I am proposing a pedestrian bridge from Union Street down to 11th Avenue, connecting to the future greenway system, which will run along the railway. This connection passes through a renovated Polar Ice building and a park that extends along the greenway behind this new commercial hub. Passing through this will lead the visitor to the primary entrance plaza on 11th Avenue, which will be reconnected all the way to Jefferson Street, to the north. A new neighborhood and linear park north of Charlotte Avenue will provide a destination to match the success to the south. Thus, the Gulch will be stitched together fully from the south to the north.

The stadium entry is enlivened by the plaza as well as the re-used guitar, which now serves as a sign and gateway. The main functions of the stadium are pushed to the edge of the site along the highway, allowing a more cohesive and smaller scale urban condition along 11th and Charlotte Avenues. Mixed-use development rings the stadium on both of these edges. Courtyard spaces are created on 11th here—both at street level as well as above on the concourse promenade—all of which serve bars, restaurants and shops on both levels. The concourse is designed as a 360-degree space, affording various programs and activities around the entire fi eld, while a full view of the downtown skyline is still afforded to the visitors of the new Sounds stadium.”

–Micah Antanaitis

2 1

N O R T H G U L C H | E . D O V E R

“Partnering with the Nashville Civic Design Center, our Urban Design studio was tasked with assessing and demonstrating the potential of two different possible sites for the relocation of the Nashville Sounds. The stadium design was the fi nal stage of a group designed master plan for one of the two sites. The site I chose to explore is located in the North Gulch and has the advantage of drawing upon the already popular South Gulch redevelopment. The new stadium is to be a community anchor, helping to reinvigorate this untouched piece of land in the heart of downtown Nashville. Concepts for my master planning phase included access; to downtown, to the South Gulch, to Germantown, and to West Nashville.

I attempted to discover solutions for reenergizing the North Gulch around the center piece of the new Sounds stadium. I chose to capitalize on the possibility of using pedestrian walkways and making connections at various levels. This also allowed me to create a more expansive retail component to the stadium, thus establishing a new entertainment and cultural district for the city and an exciting site for possible Big League expansion in the future.”

–Emily Dover

2 3

N O R T H G U L C H | R . K O W N

PROPOSED MASTERPLAN

1/128” EQUALS 1’

THIR

D FL

OOR

PLAN

(CLU

B LE

VEL)

1/64

” EQU

ALS

1’

N (C

ONCO

URSE

)

“The new Sounds stadium explores the ways in which a baseball stadium can serve to activate an otherwise unnoticed part of downtown Nashville. Located in the North Gulch area, the proposed master plan imbues the area with a sense of place by creating urban storefront conditions and well-defi ned park spaces.

Within the stadium, a sense of connection to downtown is fostered through the variegated formation of spaces felt along the outfi eld promenade. Here, spectators are able to connect with the game as well as the life of the city. It is here that the stadium is revealed to be an important piece of civic infrastructure, capable of transforming a neighborhood.”

–Robert Kown

2 5

N O R T H G U L C H | T . S P A R K S

��������������������� ��������

��������������������� ��������

�� ������������������� ��������

�� ����������������� ��������

�� ����������������� ��������

�� ������������������ ��������

2 7

S U L P H U R D E L L

[ lef t] Aer ia l v iew of potent ia l Sulphur Del l Masterplan area [r ight] Sulphur Del l , memor ies and marker s

JEFFERSON

4TH

5TH

1ST

As with the North Gulch site, UT graduate architecture students envisioned conceptual designs for the Sulphur Dell site. The emphasis of the studio was, again, to explore how a ballpark could become a catalyst for surrounding developments in underutilized urban settings–integrating multiple uses into the stadium, serving to activate and support the city everyday of the year, not just on game days.

Located north of Downtown, the former baseball park was named because of the natural sulphur spring that fl ows underground nearby. Bordered by Fourth Ave, Fifth Ave, Jackson St, and a railroad spur, the historic site is the ancestral home of baseball in Nashville. Union solidiers occupying the city during the Civil War introduced baseball to the city in 1862. It was home to several Nashville teams and hosted exhibition games where baseball stars Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig all played. It was demolished in 1969, and the Sounds moved to their current site shortly thereafter.

This site is within walking distance to downtown, the Cumberland River, the Farmer’s Market and Bicentennial Mall, and the Historic Germantown, Salemtown, and Buena Vista Neighborhoods. This area is currently undergoing a transformation from a light industrial and warehousing district into a mixed-use residential, retail, and commercial district. It is a candidate for a new home for the Nashville Sounds given its history, and regarded as a much needed investment into North Nashville by many who support this site.

UTK CoAD Partnership

2 9

S U L P H U R D E L L | N . D A V I S

“This future home of the Nashville Sounds offers fans an intimate viewing experience as well as returning baseball to its roots in Sulphur Dell. The new ballpark will be surrounded with a variety of functions including restaurants, bars, and retail space making the site the centerpiece of the redeveloped neighborhood. These various programs will not only thrive with the game day crowds, but become desirable locations throughout the entire year.

The design of the ballpark aims to stitch the site seamlessly into the new urban design plan of its surroundings. This is evident along 3rd and 5th Avenues, the main thoroughfares through the site. The two-story brick structures lining the streets offer a variety of fl exible program spaces. In left fi eld the brick liner building not only serves as the street façade, but part of the outfi eld wall as well. The building is highlighted with a restaurant elevated two levels above the playing surface and provides balconies for diners to overlook the action on the fi eld. The orientation and sunken seating bowl allow for views of the playing fi eld from anywhere in the park as well as panoramic views of the downtown Nashville skyline. Other ballpark features include a picnic area in right fi eld, a bleacher section capped with the traditional guitar shaped scoreboard in left-center and a number of unique facets, angles and surfaces making the outfi eld wall.”

–Nick Davis

3 1

S U L P H U R D E L L | M . D I A R R A

“My design is part of the study examining Sulphur Dell area as a possible site for a new AAA baseball stadium for the Nashville Sounds. In 1885, the site became home to Nashville’s fi rst professional baseball team.

The new stadium will engage the whole community with everyday use of facilities all year around. The stadium will have space for restaurants and bars, even retail space including businesses that will stay open Monday through Friday. It integrates perfectly with its surounding neighborhood. It has a new architectural language that refl ects our time and times to come. The overall concept is about connecting communities together and bringing them back to the history of Nashville’s fi rst ballpark.

The roof design, very dynamic and monumental, is made of a white light fabric that will help protect supporters from the summer sun’s radiation. The conceptual ideas for the roof structure are about celebrating history and remembering the fi rst professional players through the columns that extend over the roof top hand in hand as a symbol of unity, and solidarity.

This stadium, through its character and design, will strongly impact the North Nashville community. It will give a beacon of hope to the communities living around and beyond it. New jobs will be created through the businesses that the new stadium will offer.”

–Mahamadou Diarra

Concept of CONNECTIVITY seen in communi t y bui ld ing and s t ruc-tura l des ign for roof–g iant mast s work together to suppor t tens i le s t ruc ture s imi lar to people he lp ing each other carr y pa i l s of water.

3 3

S U L P H U R D E L L | N . P A R R I S H

“From the historical, urban, and architectural perspectives, Sulphur Dell is the ideal site for a new Sounds Baseball Stadium. It offers the most potential to ameliorate the urban fabric in North Nashville, integrate the new ball-fi eld into a thriving community so that it can serve Nashville on multiple levels year-round, and draw on its deep historical roots.

The greenway has been brought into the stadium to break down the barriers that often exist between urban ballparks and their community, particularly during the off season, and to retie the urban fabric to its progenitor in the river. Public paths and circulation corridors wind their way up into the upper reaches of the facility, carving out spaces for views of downtown, evening dinners under a canopy of cherry trees, or just sitting in the grass to have lunch. It will create a green corridor that can connect planned parks along the river back to the existing green spaces on bicentennial mall and beyond.”

–Neil Parrish

3 5

S U L P H U R D E L L | S .V E R M A

1

2

2

3 4

56

3

7

8

8

9

10

11

15

123

3

14

13

17

18

19

19

18

17

20

21

21

21

17

19

19

17

17

22

21

3

4

“The proposed Sulphur Dell master plan is a mixed use development with commercial activities at the lower level and residential facilities above on Jefferson, 5th Avenue and 3rd Avenue. This proposed development will have a new ballpark (new home of Nashville Sounds) as its central focus. This ballpark will acts as a catalyst encouraging development around it. Sulphur Dell’s master plan is an extension of downtown Nashville, on the south, and the Germantown neighborhood, on the north. The main idea was to create connections to the river, Germantown neighborhood, and downtown Nashville. The creek acts as a central spine stitching the Sulphur Dell neighborhood to the ballpark.

The ballpark design further extends these ideas through connections, both visually and physically. Ballpark designs are introverted, since a typical AAA baseball stadium does not have huge seating capacity, this new ballpark explores the strategy of transparency through its skin.

The ballpark will have multiple programs: leased spaces for shops and restaurants; residential tower; food court.”

–Sushant Verma

3 7

T H E R M A L S I T E

[ lef t] Aer ia l v iew of downtown parce l s tud ied [r ight] Vacant lot , former home to the Thermal Transfer P lant

1ST

AV

EN

UE

SH

EL

BY

ST

1

The site of the former Thermal Transfer Plant is located in downtown Nashville between the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Korean War Veterans Bridge. At 12 acres, the site represents about 9 percent of the total vacant lots downtown. Since a fi re destroyed the plant in 2002, this prominent and valuable piece of real estate has been vacant.

The site has had several proposed uses, including a new Sounds baseball stadium that was a part of a master planning process that included accompanying mixed-use development and public spaces. Other proposals for the site called for a large outdoor public amphitheater that could be used for live performances, and an expansive open space that could accommodate both passive and active public park space.

As of right now, there are no formal plans in place for this prominent site located in the heart of Nashville’s civic and entertainment district. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean has stated to the media he sees the site as “a valuable piece of property and feels whatever is there should be an iconic statement about Nashville.”

A Riverfront Masterplan

3 9

T H E R M A L S I T E

10 - s tor y res ident ia l , hote l178 - room hote l , 125 condos and up to 6 res taurant s

5 - s tor y res ident ia l , condos behind lef t - f ie ld fence

10 - s tor y res ident ia l , hote l250 condos a long the base l ine

Render ings cour tesy of Hast ings Archi tec ture Assoc ia tes

The Nashville Civic Design Center held an Urban Design Forum on the future of the Thermal Plant Site in March 2004 entitled “Thermal Site: What Will It Be?”

At the Urban Design Forum, a consensus emerged around fi ve objectives for the site’s development:

• The incorporation of a greenway along the river edge

• Interesting views from a potential ballpark to the city were desired

• View corridors from various locations off the site should be carefully considered in the massing of the site’s development

• The project should incorporate a mix of uses to promote an active pedestrian experience as a destination

• Access to the river’s edges and the greenway, from the city, should be incorporated in the design

4 1

E A S T B A N K

[ lef t] Aer ia l v iew of potent ia l s i te on the Eastern s ide of the Cumber land R iver [r ight] V iews to and from the East Bank

SH

EL

BY

ST

INTERSTATE 24

1ST A

VE

NU

E

The construction of the Gateway Bridge (now Korean War Veterans’ Bridge) that connected to Shelby Street in 2004, began a dialog among many East Nashvillians who were worried about the hostile quality of the pedestrian realm between the neighborhoods of East Nashville and the banks of the Cumberland River. They felt the aesthetics of the area were devoid of character and lacking in human scale. Many felt that a study should be conducted to establish the appropriate architecture, urban character and land uses for the future development of the area. The Nashville Civic Design Center responded with an Urban Design Forum, in June 2002, dedicated to these issues. (It should be noted that given the historic fl oods of May 2010, many of the ideas then proposed would most likely be reconsidered in light of the extensive fl ood plain of the site.)

The East Bank of the Cumberland is the visually and geographically prominent last remnant of Nashville’s historic industrial waterfront—located in a rapidly evolving downtown. Many consider it an eyesore and a vastly under-utilized area within Nashville’s urban core that would be better suited for redevelopment, rather than its current use. With the recent redevelopments along the river including the completion of the fi rst phase of Rolling Mill Hill (overlooking the East Bank site across the Cumberland River), the opening of the fi rst phase of the riverfront redevelopment master plan in 2011 – Cumberland Park, and the renovated NABRICO Building, the East Bank is experiencing an exciting resurgence. These new developments will put even more pressure on the city to resolve this industrial eyesore of the East Bank.

A Neighborhood Study

4 3

parks

enter ta inment /recreat ion

educat iona l/pub l i c /c i v i c

genera l sa les/svcs/mixed use

res ident ia l /accommodat ion

t ranspor tat ion re la ted

E A S T B A N K

Conceptua l land use drawing represent ing a compos i te of the f i ve des igns suggested by the groups at the June 2004 Urban Des ign Forum.

In 2001, at the request of Rediscover East!, the NCDC conducted a study of the linkages between the residential areas of East Nashville to the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and the impact of the new Gateway Bridge (now Korean War Veterans’ Bridge). Public meetings were held at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, a walking tour of the site was organized, and ultimately an Urban Design Forum was dedicated to the issue. Present at these meetings were concerned citizens, Metro offi cials, Metro staff and NCDC staff. The study sought to evaluate and resolve issues of scale, landscaping and lane-logic of the Gateway Bridge and appropriate land use for the land between the Cumberland River and Interstate Bridge.

Later, the June 2004 Urban Design Forum was dedicated to the East Bank. Forum members and other interested parties worked in groups. During the process, pedestrian and bicycle linkages were emphasized. Every group expressed a desire to redefi ne the area south of the Titan’s stadium between the river and the Interstate highway.

Common to all of the groups was the proposal of a mixed-use neighborhood for the area. Features of the neighborhood included a park along the riverfront that incorporated the greenway, a marina, restoration of the network of two-way streets, commercial, institutional and residential uses, and in one scenario, a new AAA ballpark. Participants were not convinced that a baseball stadium on the site was the right choice, given the adjacency of the Titan’s stadium, but all participants agreed if a large project such as a baseball stadium were to be sited in the area, it should be executed within an overall master plan for the area that included a mix of uses and signifi cant public spaces.

Key Ideas in East Bank Report’s baseball scenario:

• Baseball stadium becomes fi gurative centerpiece of neighborhood;

• Large centrally located park framed by two public/civic institutions create the feeling of a “town square”;

• Buffer zone of trees separates neighborhood from interstate;

• Large riverfront promenade/park incorporates greenways;

• Neighborhood is a transportation hub, linking commuter rail, water taxi, automobile, bicycle and foot traffi c;

• Variety of mixed use/residential/public spaces;

• Creation of a marina on the waterfront between Gateway and Shelby Street Bridges.

4 5

N C D C ’ S R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

Safeco F ie ld , in Seat t le , WA , i s another example of a success fu l urban ba l lpark

Urban stadiums have the opportunity to invigorate and rejuvenate an area—or depress and alienate—depending on key factors of the design. It is critical that an urban stadium for Nashville be carefully inserted into its specifi c contexts, ultimately creating a space that facilitates social interaction year-round, through various programmatic elements beyond just baseball. Mixed-use development surrounding a baseball stadium is essential, as well as parking considerations that do not create fi elds of large surface parking lots. Ultimately, a successful new baseball stadium for downtown Nashville must consider all of the following important development issues: public/private use and costs, public transportation, parking, mixed-use development and sustainability. With careful planning, engaged community input, and a commitment from public and private supporters to deliver a well-designed stadium, a new baseballpark could be a wonderful addition to Nashville, and ultimately aid in in urban revitalization efforts.

The NCDC identifi ed “Ten Principles” to guide public policy, development practice, urban planning, and design in The Plan of Nashville. These Principles create an optimal framework for Nashville’s growth to ensure we are an enjoyable, successful and sustainable city. These Principals for Nashville’s growth can easily be translated into guidelines for a new baseball stadium.

“Ten Principles” to guide public policy, development practice, urban planning, and design:

1. Respect Nashville’s natural and built environment

2. Treat the Cumberland River as central to Nashville’s identity -- an asset to be treasured and enjoyed

3. Reestablish the streets as the principal public space of community and connectivity

4. Develop a convenient and effi cient transportation infrastructure

5. Provide for a comprehensive, interconnected greenway and park system

6. Develop an economically viable downtown district as the heart of the region

7. Raise the quality of the public realm with civic structures and spaces

8. Integrate public art into the design of the city, its buildings, public works and parks

9. Strengthen the unique identity of neighborhoods

10. Infuse visual order into the city by strengthening sightlines to and from civic landmarks and natural features

Creating a Vitalizing Stadium

4 7

N C D C ’ S R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

SPECIFICITY OF PL ACE | Incorporate publ i c ar t , loca l l y owned bus inesses and prominent v iews to he lp add unique charac ter.

SUSTAINABIL ITY | Oppor tuni t y for mode l deve lopment . Bui ld w i th r igorous , exemplar y env i ronmenta l prac t ices .

ADJACENT USES | Inc lude mixed -use reta i l , d in ing , n ight l i fe , and l i ve/work deve lopment s .

Toolbox

INTEGR ATION OF CIVIC SPACE | Ut i l ize publ i c p lazas , parks and amphi theater s to engage the publ i c at var ious t imes and year round.

ACCESS | Ensure adequate infras t ruc ture for mul t imodal so lut ions : pedest r ians , c yc l i s t s , mass t rans i t in add i t ion to per sonal vehic les .

4 9

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

PHOTO CREDITS

Pg 04-05 | tnvacation.com, wikicommons, funtimesguide.com, google mapsPg 06-07 | Betsy MasonPg 08-09 | memphisfl yer.com, redbirdcentral.com, unclebobsballparks41.tripod.comPg 10-11 | durhambulls.com, freelon.com, dbulls.comPg 12-13 | Populous, Cole Ryg, mnscore.com, pentair.com, gbrenna.comPg 14-15 | Ron YearwoodPg 16-17 | google mapsPg 18-19 | nashvillegulch.wordpress.com, musiccityblog.wordpress.com, google mapsPg 20-27 | student workPg 28-29 | sulphurdell.com, google mapsPg 30-37 | student workPg 38-39 | gopetition.com, google mapsPg 40-41 | Hargreaves Architectural AssociatesPg 42-43 | friendsforourriverfront.org, John Russell/Vanderbilt University, google mapsPg 44-45 | NCDCPg 46-47 | sitephocus.comPg 48-49 | sitephocus.com, inhabitat.com, roofportland.com, soleripedia.com, nashvillest.com

5 1