Good morning, Nashville! It’s Wednesday, September 2nd. Lots of news from Nashville’s neighborhoods today, including a sneak peek at a new community center after a roof collapse, Cheekwood’s attempt to ease traffic concerns, new restaurants, and the story behind a record-setting home sale.
⚡ Top stories
Weather: ☀️ Heat advisory through Friday. High: 101 with a heat index as high as 110, Low: 77.
Stopping bird strikes on high-rises: Vanderbilt University won rezoning last night for more than 40 acres to build what it calls an “Innovation Neighborhood” between Natchez Trace and 31st Avenue South, but it came with strings attached from the Metro Council to protect birds. Because of plans for buildings as tall as 30 stories combined with lots of trees already in the area, Vanderbilt agreed to use bird-safe glass on parts of the project. More than a billion birds crash into glass each year in the United States, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. They offer tips on how you can help here — it’s not just bird friendly glass. You can see the full plans for the project here. And why some neighbors have branded the project as “Vulch.”
New restrictions on surveillance in Nashville: the Metro Council gave final approval last night to limits on how Metro Police use drones. Police launched a “drone as first responder” pilot program in Madison, which sent drones to calls before officers, without permission from the Metro Council. Moving forward, any similar program would need council approval, and it would be limited to active shooter incidents, hostage situations, active searches for missing persons, and in response to a state of emergency that “presents an immediate threat to life and critical infrastructure.” I reported earlier last month that the pilot program’s most common call was “disorderly person.”
🏠 What’s new in Nashville’s neighborhoods
Belle Meade
After neighbors sued over traffic concerns and alleged zoning violations, a Cheekwood official said the botanical garden is finalizing plans to offer “off-site weekend shuttle service with discounted admission” throughout October. It’s also offering discounted admission for visitors who use rideshares, and it’s charging a parking fee to non-members to encourage carpooling. Even though the lawsuit over Cheekwood’s impacts on neighbors is unresolved, Cheekwood is still moving forward with construction of a $35 million parking garage. A Cheekwood official said this week it’s on track to be finished by the end of next year.
Downtown (and nearby)
Coffee moves: 8th & Roast said it would close its Midtown location next Sunday as “ongoing challenges with the building that are out of our control have made it difficult for us to give our guests the experience we strive to provide.” Meanwhile, East Nashville’s Earl Espresso teased a new location coming this fall, and now that’s moving forward with a building permit application filed for 1721 21st Avenue South.
Greenway expansion: after approval last night by the Metro Council, a new segment of greenway between the Cumberland River and River North neighborhood should open immediately, according to a spokesperson for Nashville’s mayor. “It will advance north adjacent to a future Oracle campus,” the spokesperson said.
East Nashville
Cumberland Hardware at 1018 Woodland Street announced it will close on December 31 after 42 years in business. The store’s owner told Channel 5 in April that parking issues could put him out of business.
New record: The well-known Ziggurat House, a Spanish-style bungalow on Lakehurst Drive, sold for $2.9 million earlier this year, a record price per square foot in that area, and Nashville Lifestyles explains the story (and risks) behind that number. Here are some pictures of the property.
The Nations
Nearly a year after the West Park Community Center was demolished following a roof collapse, Metro Parks gave a sneak peek of its replacement. You can see the design at 23:04 into this video. It includes a gym, fitness center, game room, and possibly an indoor pool.
Green Hills
A new italian restaurant is coming to the Vertis building at 2035 Richard Jones Road. “Lupo Notte serves handmade pasta, blistered New York–style pizza, and a cocktail program built on Italian aperitivo traditions,” the restaurant’s website says. It’s set to open on September 16th.
Antioch
A new shawarma restaurant is planned off Murfreesboro Pike and Edge O Lake Drive at 2637 Lakevilla Drive, according to building permit application. In case you don’t know what shawarma is (I didn’t) — this Wikipedia article gives a thorough description.
More growth in Century Farms: Bank of America applied for a permit to open a branch on William Turner Parkway.
Wedgewood-Houston
The first phase of rehabbing Fort Negley is on track to be finished by spring, a Metro Parks official said. That includes removal of the old Greer Stadium parking lot and construction of a new overlook structure and memorial lawn. “As of last week, they started installing the stones with the names around the memorial wall and the memorial lawn,” the parks official said.
📰 A few final headlines…
Warning for next time you park at the airport: BNA just changed the route to lot B. “Instead of entering and exiting near Donelson Pike, all Lot B traffic will now flow through Terminal Drive and onto the new Fly Nashville Way to access the new entry and exit plaza,” the airport said in a social media post. It shared this video explaining in more detail how to navigate the changes.
A “third former educator alleges grade manipulation in Metro Nashville Public Schools,” WSMV reported. Also, last night, a former teacher of the year who got national attention after making a similar allegation, which the district disputed, asked the Metro Council to audit the school district and create a committee giving oversight to Metro Schools. “Teachers are drowning, children are not learning, and the board has proven it will not hold itself accountable,” Samira Hardcastle said.
Help needed with vaccine trial: Vanderbilt is looking for people to participate in a trial of a vaccine against C. diff. The disease “is one of those infections that turns a routine hospital stay or a course of antibiotics into something far more serious, and older adults bear the brunt of it,” the director of Vanderbilt’s Vaccine Research Program said. It’s looking for people 65 and older “who have had recent or planned contact with the health care system or who have recently received antibiotics”. You can find more details here.
Poll results: I asked yesterday whether you support toll lanes in the Nashville area. 72% of respondents said no.
🧠 Today’s quiz: Unscramble
Test your memory of yesterday’s newsletter. Unscramble these words from yesterday’s stories.
TLLO NSELA
TETIPION
ANARCN
EQAULZITANOI
🍔 MAP: click here for restaurant inspections across Nashville
Correction, feedback, question? Just reply to this email or email me directly at ryan@nash.news. Have a great Wednesday! -Ryan